Calendar Academic Year 2025-2026
FALL 2025
SOAR takes place during community time (11:30-12:30)
September 11:
Creating Balance
September 25:
Asking for Help/Student Employment
October 16:
Preparing for Advising & Registration
Nov 6:
Study Abroad/Away
November 20:
Fall SOAR wrap-up
SPRING 2026
February 12:
Finding What’s Next with the Piper Center
February 26:
Guest Speaker: The Impact of Sleep (Dr. Roxanne Prichard)
March 12:
St. Olaf Funding Sources & Financial Wellness
March 27:
A Deeper Dive into Advising & Registration/4-year Academic Planning
April 10:
SOAR Year End Wrap-up
SOAR provides a place to intentionally create community, access resources, and engage in meaningful discussion in small groups led by highly trained SOAR Peer Leaders. Students learn key skills and knowledge, such as how to utilize campus resources, balance their schedule and the impact of sleep on academics, through small group conversation, reflection, and the practice of successful academic habits. College-level reading and study techniques like Retrieval Practice, Pomodoro Technique, Spacing, and Note-Taking Strategies, are introduced throughout the SOAR sessions.
Lily Bensen, SOAR Mentor, Class of 2024
“As a SOAR Leader, I have developed many useful skills, including public speaking, leadership, conflict resolution, teamwork, and creative problem-solving. These skills have allowed me to support first-years during their transition to St. Olaf, and I will continue to use them during my career as a physician.”
Katie Weishet, 3 year SOAR leader, Class of 2024
“Guiding first-year students through their transition to college has shown me how important positive interactions with an older peer are to their experience at St. Olaf. The connections I’ve made with each of my SOAR groups have been so rewarding!”
Brian Nevin, 3 year SOAR Leader, Class of 2024
“As a three time SOAR leader, I have had the chance to teach to a variety of classes which has helped me develop leadership and communication skills. Every class has a unique and diverse group of students and SOAR has taught me how to tailor my teaching style to best fit each class. SOAR has also shown me the importance of making connections with fellow Oles. I have learned that a few conversations with students can go a long way in shaping their experience at St. Olaf.”
Tom Williamson, First Year Seminar faculty
“I see SOAR as an important bridge connecting new students and St. Olaf. FY Oles find student mentors who can help them with academic concerns, registration, or just adjusting to campus. FYE courses are easier to teach with good SOAR leader support!”
Meet with the SOAR Coordinator
Tara Hupton (she, her, hers)
Assistant Director of Academic Support – SOAR, Tutoring, and Student Success