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The University of North Georgia (Õý°ÄÃÅÁùºÏ²Ê¿ª½±½á¹û), in partnership with , hosted the fourth annual Virtual College Information Day event Jan. 30 as an opportunity for over 200 attendees from 25 school districts across the state of Georgia to better prepare for college. REACH Georgia provides support and scholarship opportunities in exchange for certain academic commitments from students starting in eighth grade in participating school districts.

The half-day event began with a student panel called "What I Wish I Had Known Before College."

The students in eighth through 12th grade were able to hear from five current Õý°ÄÃÅÁùºÏ²Ê¿ª½±½á¹û students including junior Christopher Hale, who is pursuing a degree in film and digital media and is the vice president of the Gainesville Campus Student Government Association.

"The advice I gave them was to not let age be the determining factor for what they want to do with their degree. As I always say, 'If you're good enough, you're old enough,'" the Gainesville, Georgia, native said. "It's important to not be so set on making a living for your entire existence that you end up forgetting to make a life. Never chase titles. Go for passion."

The panel was followed by a workshop led by Academic Advising, Student Success and Student Accessibility Services, which was focused on preparing students for "Navigating Your Freshman Year." Other sessions included "Paying for College," led by Financial Aid; “Professors Are People Too," featuring Õý°ÄÃÅÁùºÏ²Ê¿ª½±½á¹û faculty; and a dedicated Georgia Student Finance Commission discussion.

Dr. Alyson Paul, a four-time REACH Georgia mentor and Õý°ÄÃÅÁùºÏ²Ê¿ª½±½á¹û interim vice president for Student Affairs, shared that this event helps highlight the values of Õý°ÄÃÅÁùºÏ²Ê¿ª½±½á¹û.

"Being able to host the REACH Georgia event allows Õý°ÄÃÅÁùºÏ²Ê¿ª½±½á¹û to demonstrate its commitment to providing access and ongoing support for students who may have not considered college as an option," Paul said. "Familiarizing students and their high school counselors with the terminology, timelines and opportunities on a college campus can reduce both perceived and real barriers for attending college."

The achievement of the event has also been noticed by the partners.

"We have seen first-hand the success of Õý°ÄÃÅÁùºÏ²Ê¿ª½±½á¹û's efforts to communicate with REACH students as a cohort statewide. Most importantly, this experience can help students make informed decisions about how they will proceed with their educational journey at the postsecondary level," Justin Gargala, REACH Georgia executive director, said.

An in-person REACH Day is set for April 16 at Õý°ÄÃÅÁùºÏ²Ê¿ª½±½á¹û's Dahlonega Campus.