Welcome to Spring 2021

As we begin the new year and the Spring semester approaches, it is a time of reflection. Many people take the beginning of a new year to review the past.  Others view it as a time of renewal.  Last semester was likely an academic experience like you’ve never experienced. 

"Renewal is not just innovation and change. It is also the process of bringing the results of change into line with our purposes." -- John W. Gardner

If you were happy with your Fall 2020 outcomes, now is the time to evaluate what aided in your success.  If you were not happy with your outcomes, it is a time to reflect on the challenges you experienced and determine what resources are available to enhance this semester.  With challenges, come opportunities for growth and learning.  If you didn’t succeed initially, you now have an opportunity to learn from the attempt and try again. Resilience is a hallmark of success.

"We don't even know how strong we are until we are forced to bring that hidden strength forward. In times of tragedy, of war, of necessity, people do amazing things. The human capacity for survival and renewal is awesome." -- Isabel Allende

This semester, we’ll continue to provide monthly brown bag sessions, features such as Student of the Month and Humans of UMBC: First-Gen Edition, networking opportunities to meet other First-Gen students, as well as faculty, staff and alumni, and informational postings of resources to support your success.  

If ever you need assistance, or have a question and you’re not sure to ask, reach out to your First-Gen support at firstgen@umbc.edu

We wish you much success, good health and well-being in the coming semester.