Student Life | UCSB Summer Sessions

A vibrant peer and academic support structure is essential to student success. FSSP empowers students to create such a foundation by connecting with academic advisors, student-support counselors, and internationally recognized faculty. In addition to the emphasis on academics, the program offers numerous opportunities for students to forge friendships through social activities that cater to a variety of interests. Among the large cohort of FSSP students, you will find a community of friends you can rely on throughout your time at UC Santa Barbara. Students and their families are invited to attend one of our Freshman Summer Start Program informational webinars to learn more.

Build Your Community

Welcome Weekend

From the moment you set foot on campus as an FSSP student, you’ll be swept up in a flurry of activity that will have UC Santa Barbara feeling like home in no time. After getting settled in your dorm room, you’ll embark upon a full itinerary that will range from an FSSP orientation event, to friendly competition with your fellow students during Battle of the Floors — a welcome event hosted by your RAs. More connections will be formed during an all-day beach party, leaving you fully immersed in Santa Barbara life and ready for class on Monday!

Social Events

FSSP offers a number of activities outside of class to help students unwind, connect, and recharge through fun shared experiences. Our dedicated team works diligently to design social activities that appeal to a multitude of interests, ranging from game nights to guided tours of some of Santa Barbara’s hidden gems. Whether you’re into competition or crafting, you can count on entertainment and a sense of camaraderie that will make your transition to campus life that much more exciting.

Health and Wellness

With the physical, mental, and social well-being of our students in mind, FSSP features a robust wellness component. Students benefit from individualized drop-in opportunities to connect with faculty, academic advisors, career counselors, and student affairs professionals with expertise in nutrition, stress management, alcohol and drug awareness, relationships, fitness, and health counseling. You’ll have the opportunity to participate in activities related to mindfulness, meditation, yoga, and more. No matter what happens, you'll feel prepared to keep calm and carry on.

Workshops

We offer workshops on topics such as Time Management, Taking Good Lecture Notes, Understanding Your Reading Assignments, Objective Exam Strategies, Essay Exam Strategies, Honors College and Undergraduate Research Opportunities, Choosing a Major, How to Graduate on Time, Involvement and Leadership at UCSB, Career Testing, Successful Relationships, Drug and Alcohol Awareness, Eating Well, and more. We also have a Drop-In Center in the residence hall, staffed by student life counselors and academic advisors who are eager to assist.

Housing & Meals

All FSSP students will live on campus in the San Nicolas Residence Hall, overlooking the lagoon and the Pacific Ocean. San Nicolas is conveniently situated near classrooms, the De La Guerra Dining Hall, and the UCSB Library. FSSP students have easy access to recreation rooms, sand volleyball courts, and community lounges. Program participants also enjoy a meal plan that includes 17 meals per week, redeemable at any of UC Santa Barbara's iconic dining commons.

For more information about food resources around UC Santa Barbara, please visit the Associated Students Food Bank.

For basic needs resources, please visit the Student Needs Advising Center.

Please note: There may be some pandemic-related public health and safety restrictions in effect during FSSP. We will update this page with information as conditions change. All students participating in FSSP must be in compliance with the UC COVID-19 vaccination requirement.