EYES-ON-PSE: Post-Secondary Prep Course | Transition Resource Guide for Students with Disabilities

EYES-ON-PSE is a free, online post-secondary prep course, to help students prepare for what’s ahead at college and university. This asynchronous, online course is laid out in six, self-paced, easy to navigate modules, each covering topics on what to expect at college and university, and where to find information on what you need to do and when you need to do it.

This course is designed to leave students feeling significantly more prepared, informed, and confident as they begin their first semester of post-secondary studies. Big changes exist between the high school and post-secondary environments that can make the transition difficult for any student. Compared to high school, post-secondary education often has reduced student-teacher ratios, greater academic demands, reduced personal support networks, and greater overall expectations. These and additional changes can often have a greater impact on students with disabilities, as they navigate this transition and a new support network at post-secondary school.

EYES-ON-PSE was created with funds from the Virtual Learning Strategy (VLS) project as part of the provincial government’s eCampus Ontario strategy to provide accessible online resources to students, faculty, parents and staff working and learning in the post-secondary environment.

Course Outline

Module	Unit	Topics
Module 1: A New Scene	Unit 1.1: A New Beginning	Welcome Navigating This Course Your New Reality What is Your Why?
	Unit 1.2: Diverse Learners	Navigating Expectations Equity and Diversity on Campus Academic Accommodations and Accessibility Services
	Unit 1.3: A Growth Mindset	A Growth Mindset Changing Our Thinking
Module 2: You and Your Education	Unit 2.1: Self-Knowledge & Self-Advocacy	All About You Your Strengths and Weaknesses Self Advocacy and Asking for Help
	Unit 2.2: You as a Student	The Role of a Student In Person and Online Classes What’s Best for Me?
	Unit 2.3: Your Academic Journey	Your Program Grades Academic Appeals
Module 3: Post Secondary Learning	Unit 3.1: LMS & Course Structure	LMS Resources Discussion Boards Reading a Course Outline
	Unit 3.2: Communications	Connecting with Others Emailing Faculty and Peers Group Work Video Meetings
	Unit 3.3: Academic Integrity	Accessing Materials Credible Sources Academic Integrity
Module 4: Learning Strategies	Unit 4.1: Academic Supports	Academic Supports Peer Supports Library
	Unit 4.2: Keeping Yourself On Track	Time Management Weekly Calendars Term Calendars Procrastination
	Unit 4.3: Elevating Your Learning	Setting Up Your Study Space Motivation and Goal Setting There’s an App for That
Module 5: Academic Strategies	Unit 5.1: Reading	The Purpose of Readings Reading Comprehension Adaptive Technology
	Unit 5.2: Taking Notes	Why Note Taking is Helpful Strategies for Effective Note Taking Accessible Note Taking
	Unit 5.3: Assignments & Tests	Understanding Assignments Tackling Assignments Tests and Exams
Module 6: Personal Considerations	Unit 6.1: Managing Your Health and Relationships	Health and Nutrition Sleep and Exercise Mental and Emotional Health Changes in Relationships Sexual Violence and Safety
	Unit 6.2: Finances	Financial Assistance Budgets
	Unit 6.3: Campus Supports	Getting Involved Student Organizations Additional Campus Supports

How to Register

The course is now open!

To register for EYES-ON-PSE, please submit the Student Registration Form.

PLEASE NOTE: If you are a teacher, guidance counsellor, parent/guardian or other support figure who would like to register for the course, please complete the Teacher/Parent Registration Form.

Want to run EYES-ON-PSE at your school?

In addition to the EYES-ON-PSE course that is hosted on the Transition Resource Guide website, individual schools and organizations can also use the course and create their own version for their students.

In 2022, customized EYES-ON-PSE courses were piloted across a number of institutions in Ontario including Confederation College, McMaster University, St. Lawrence College, Trent University Durham GTA, University of Toronto Scarborough and the Transition Resource Guide. EYES-ON-PSE reached over 550 students across the province.

The Regional Assessment and Resource Centre (RARC) is actively recruiting colleges, universities, high schools and other organizations to host and pilot their own version of this online course at their institution for summer 2023.

Pilot sites will receive the customizable course files, one-on-one support from the RARC team to adapt the course to their school or organization, as well as support and collaboration with the other participating pilot sites.

Are you interested in piloting EYES-ON-PSE at your institution? If so, please complete the linked survey to indicate interest in this opportunity and the RARC team will follow up with you to explore piloting the program. We are hoping to start meeting with the 2023 pilot group beginning in January, to give ample time to adapt and tailor the program for each school’s individual circumstances before launching programs in summer 2023.

You can learn more about this past summer’s pilot courses in our 2022 pilot report. You can also email us at eyes-on-pse@queensu.ca for more information about joining our 2023 pilot group.