“I would highly recommend UPAL to other students. It's good to be a part of a group that helps you set weekly goals, because you have other students to keep you accountable for meeting them.”
—Imani Sumbi, Class of 2022
“I would definitely recommend UPAL, there is nothing to lose and all to gain. I loved my group so much that I decided to become a mentor, so I could help create a supportive community for others.”
—Shane Persaud, Class of 2022
"If it’s in your physical, emotional and mental capacity, I 100% encourage you to join UPAL to learn more about yourself - and essentially, how to college!"
—Angela Zhang, Class of 2025
See our current UPAL flyer!
The Undergraduate Program for Advancing Learning (UPAL) offers group-based coaching to promote Northwestern undergraduates' academic wellness. In UPAL, students engage in supportive small groups, with peer mentors, to fine-tune their academic strategies, gain tools for balancing academics with other facets of life, and navigate the academic path in ways that work for each individual.
You can register for UPAL on CAESAR, just as you would a traditional course. Search for "GEN_LA 160," and then choose any section that fits your schedule. Spring quarter registration opens on Wednesday, March 29 at 12:01 am and closes on Thursday, April 5. UPAL sessions begin the week of Monday, April 10 and end Sunday, May 28.
Read about each of the UPAL mentors on the meet the mentors page.
UPAL participants meet for one hour weekly over weeks 3 - 9 of a quarter, in small groups led by peer mentors, at locations and times that fit their schedules. Sessions are relaxed and upbeat and offer valuable information to help students master Northwestern's learning environment and persist when they stumble — as everybody does! — along the way. UPAL supports students in reflecting on their habits and approaches, identifying what is working well and what needs fine-tuning, and setting a solid course for navigating the academic path ahead.
Below is the winter section information. Sign up on Caesar, and learn more about the mentors on the meet the mentors page.
| Day | Time | Mentors |
| Monday | 4 pm - 5 pm | Inka & Teddy |
| Monday | 5 pm - 6 pm | Binhao & Cristian |
| Tuesday | 4 pm - 5 pm | Duke & Haley |
| Tuesday | 5 pm - 6 pm | Elise & Sophia |
| Wednesday | 5 pm - 6 pm | Brennan & Sami |
| Thursday | 5 pm - 6 pm | Kabeer & Logan |
Reach out to us!