College Edge Brochure

BUILD YOUR SKILLS FOR A SUCCESSFUL FALL SEMESTER

AN ON-CAMPUS SUMMER EXPERIENCE FOR NEW AND CONTINUING COLLEGE STUDENTS WHO LEARN DIFFERENTLY June 21 – July 2, 2025

BeaconCollege.edu/Edge

AN ON-CAMPUS SUMMER EXPERIENCE FOR NEW AND CONTINUING COLLEGE STUDENTS WHO LEARN DIFFERENTLY

Saturday, June 21 to Tuesday, July 2, 2025

Students who learn differently must often navigate college alone — with no map to follow. Without the right preparation and support, it’s easy to become overwhelmed and disconnected. If you have dyslexia, ADHD, executive function challenges or other learning differences, Beacon’s College Edge can help you gain critical insights and skills to succeed as you start — or return to — college.

Who Should Attend • Class of 2025 College-Bound High School Graduates • Gap Year Students • Transfer Students • Current College Students Interested in Building Their College Skills (Ages 18-22) Students must have a

Beacon’s College Edge is a highly interactive, on-campus residential experience. • This 12-day program will introduce you and other college-bound students to the expectations of college — and the exciting and fun opportunities you’ll find! — in a safe and welcoming setting. • You’ll participate in immersive college-level courses, plus hands on college living labs. • All activities, counseling, and instruction will help build your self awareness and skill-building in areas critical to college success: — Academic — Executive functioning — Social and emotional well-being • At the end of the program, you’ll receive a comprehensive, 3- to 5-page written evaluation offering insights by our faculty and staff on your academic readiness, independent living skills and social pragmatics, and helpful suggestions on your next steps.

diagnosed learning disability and demonstrate emotional self-control.

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TO APPLY FOR COLLEGE EDGE, VISIT BeaconCollege.edu/Edge

A Safe Zone to Challenge Yourself — and Grow

WHERE COLLEGE EDGE STUDENTS GO

Beacon’s College Edge program lets you experience the challenges and opportunities of college academics — without the pressure of getting a permanent grade. It’s a great way to get ready for the challenges of your first semester as a college student — whether that’s here at Beacon or wherever you choose to go! Mornings • You’ll take three intensive 75-minute classes each morning of the program, choosing courses that represent typical first-year courses at college. Afternoons • Guided by Beacon’s learning specialists, you’ll participate in academic open-learning sessions and college living labs — with hands-on opportunities to learn how to respond to challenging situations. Outside the Classroom You’ll engage in activities designed to help you build a balanced student life — from student clubs and organizations to fun social activities. In and out of the classroom, College Edge gives you in-the-moment feedback to help guide your actions and decision-making.

College Edge participants have gone on to attend Beacon College, as well as these and other colleges nationwide: • University of North Carolina Greensboro • University of Hartford (Connecticut) • Saint Leo University (Florida) • Palomar College (California) • Florida State College at Jacksonville

• Piedmont University (Georgia) • College Internship Program (Massachusetts)

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When you complete College Edge, you will: • Be familiar with the expectations of college — from academic rigor and resources for social-emotional counseling to student engagement. • Know how to better manage your time and make thoughtful decisions on balancing the demands of social engagement, self-care and academic success at college. • Feel better prepared to connect to your campus community for the support and resources you need. • Know how to maximize support resources at your college of choice — from tutoring and accommodations to mental health services and student affairs.

COLLEGE EDGE OUTCOMES

Immerse Yourself in College-Level Learning

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Cost to Attend The comprehensive cost to attend College Edge 2025 is $3,450, which covers all on-campus programming and expenses, including meals, housing and activities. Scholarship support is available for accepted students with demonstrated need.

As a College Edge student, you’ll enroll in three mock college classes taught by Beacon College faculty. Classes are held Monday through Friday, and each class is 75 minutes long. These classes simulate the “real deal” college experience — from syllabus review and lecture-style discussion to projects, peer collaboration and daily homework assignments. You’ll be introduced to different teaching styles and expectations for

success in college-level general education (GE) courses. You can choose courses in three main areas of study: • STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering & Math) • Social Sciences • Humanities

High school sophomores and juniors are invited to join Beacon College’s residential Summer for Success experience. Learn more at BeaconCollege.edu/Summer.

See pages 6-7 for this year’s College Edge courses.

Get Real-Time Feedback and Build Your Skills

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Every afternoon, you’ll work with Beacon College Learning Specialists for open learning and executive function support. You’ll focus on developing your specific learning needs, including learning strategies to perform better in the classroom, and how to self-advocate and access resources at your chosen college.

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For 35 years, Beacon College has been the recognized leader in offering affordable, career focused baccalaureate degree programs for students with ADHD, dyslexia and other learning differences. Beacon is located in central Florida about an hour north of Orlando.

WHY BEACON?

Practice College Life in Our College-Living Labs

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Success in college isn’t limited to what happens in the classroom. As a college student, you’ll need to manage greater personal freedom, take more responsibility for your day-to-day-life and engage in a new level of social interactions. Our hands-on college-living labs let you study and practice essential executive function, social and independent living skills for a more rewarding college experience. Topics will include: • Taking responsibility for your personal finance • Understanding college rules and regulations • Creating a confident social life — from meeting and maintaining new friends to dating and going to parties • Facing challenging ‘first times’ in college with resilience, from living with a roommate to breaking up • Navigating digital platforms in college, including assistive technology, Microsoft apps and Canvas College also is your opportunity to forge lifelong friendships, explore new interests, build your physical and mental health — and discover yourself in the process. During College Edge, you’ll have the opportunity to do that — and have fun — with extracurricular activities that include: • The Oasis (campus pool and recreation space) • Bowling • Escape rooms • Walt Disney World Theme Park • Universal Studios and Universal Islands of Adventure Theme Park • And more!

Why We Use Accuplacer Testing Every College Edge student will start the program by taking the Accuplacer Test in Reading. This test — used by colleges nationwide to place students — allows you to experience and practice the kind of campus wide assessment and standardized testing you may encounter as a college student. Your scores will be used to make specific “next step” recommendations in your personal evaluation report.

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Full details on applying to College Edge 2025 can be found at BeaconCollege/edge .

FOR MORE INFORMATION

Join us for an upcoming College Edge webinar. To register or for more information, contact Brody Glidden, Associate Dean of Admissions & Summer Programs, at 352-913-4104 or visit BeaconCollege.edu/Edge.

Students will choose one course from each block upon enrolling in College Edge.

2025 COURSES

BLOCK A | 8:00–9:15 A.M.

BLOCK B | 9:30–10:45 A.M.

Human-Animal Studies 101 This introductory course examines the field of human animal studies. Explore human-animal relationships, bonds and interactions, and learn to bridge connections between humans and animals. Gain insights into the dynamics of these relationships and their impact on both species. Research Perspectives: Martial Arts History Explore the development of various martial arts over time while honing essential research skills. Examine research articles, evaluate sources for accuracy and validity, and develop your writing ability. Gain an in-depth understanding of martial arts history through critical analysis and scholarly research. Psychology of Marvel Analyze the psychological profiles of Marvel characters through comic book scenarios and movie clips. Explore trauma, identity disorders, the psychology of superpowers and psychology’s positive role in building resiliency. Apply psychological theories to Marvel characters’ traits and behaviors using interactive activities. Women in Resistance, Revolution & Rebellion Investigate the pivotal roles women played in revolutionary, anti-colonial political resistance movements. Delve into the lives of key figures like Olympe de Gouges and Emmeline Pankhurst. Research and present on lesser-known female revolutionaries, examining their contributions to political and social change from the French Revolution to the Arab Spring. Modern Humanities: Pop Culture & the Art of Storytelling Dive into the art of narrative to unlock the power of storytelling. Through hands-on reading, writing and speaking projects, engage with popular culture to sharpen communication skills while discovering how stories shape our understanding of the world and inspire growth and action toward goals.

Psychology of Cults Examine the phenomena of cults using sociological and social-psychological theories, along with narrative and literary accounts. Explore recruitment, conversion, conformity, commitment and disaffiliation, with a focus on extreme obedience. Analyze commonalities between cults and totalitarian systems, including effects on personal life, social networks, ideology and leader-follower dynamics. Introduction to Engineering This seminar-style course introduces STE(A)M concepts through engaging activities. Students explore the engineering design process, participate in academic discourse and tackle activity-based, problem-based and project-based tasks. Gain essential skills and attributes crucial in our technological world, understanding how STE(A)M activities mimic real-world scenarios. Psychology of Gaming Explore how psychology influences video game design, player engagement and therapeutic uses. Reflect on your own gaming habits, analyze the pros and cons of gaming and use critical thinking in written and interactive activities. Learn how social connections and online behavior shape gaming culture and impact young adults’ mental health. Pop Culture & Modern Mythology Learn how modern pop culture phenomena like Star Wars, Marvel Comics, Percy Jackson and Harry Potter serve as contemporary mythology. Analyze how these stories draw from ancient myths, shaping today’s narratives, values and identities. Discover how new heroes and epic tales resonate with current generations. Social Media Marketing Discover the essentials of developing a personal social media campaign. Learn all about social media marketing, from strategy to execution, and gain the skills needed to thrive in this dynamic field.

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BLOCK C | 11:00 A.M.–12:15 P.M.

Daily Schedule

Urban Legends & Modern Mythology Explore the intriguing world of urban legends and modern myths through engaging reading, writing and speaking projects. Investigate the origins and cultural significance of these legends, research credible sources to craft compelling analyses to determine fact from fiction, and hone your writing skills. Lyrical Literature Discover how great songs have the same great elements found in literature by exploring universal themes, rhetorical devices, figurative language and more. Learn how to become a better reader through the study of how great lyrics are created. Psychology of Fandoms Understand the psychological and social reasons behind fandoms and why people become deeply invested in TV shows, movies, video games and more. Study group behavior, identity formation and media influence using popular fandoms as examples. Create a fan profile project to analyze and present the captivating elements of a chosen fandom. The Marvel Universe & Mythology Analyze characters like Thor, Loki, Atlas and Hercules, exploring their connections to mythology and culture. Engage in comparative analyses, character evaluations and ethical examinations. Reflect on class participation. Gain insights into the intersectionality of ethics, popular culture and mythology through interactive activities and discussions.

7:00 a.m. – 7:45 a.m. Breakfast 8:00 a.m. – 9:15 a.m. Block A Class 9:30 a.m. – 10:45 a.m. Block B Class 11:00 a.m. – 12:15 p.m. Block C Class 12:15 p.m. – 1:30 p.m. Lunch 1:30 p.m. – 2:00 p.m. Break 2:00 p.m. – 3:15 p.m. Open Learning 3:30 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. College Living Labs 5:00 p.m. – 6:15 p.m. Dinner 6:30 p.m. – 10:00 p.m. Evening Social Activities (On- and off-campus)

Navigating Math Through Problem Solving and Logic

Dynamic and hands-on, this course provides strategies for problem solving using real-life scenarios and engaging dialogue. Tackle everyday challenges using accessible strategies and friendly discussions. Master techniques that make math relatable and useful through stories and real-life examples.

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Leesburg, Florida 34748

www.BeaconCollege.edu