An increasing number of colleges and universities are helping first-year students brush up on the basics before starting classes.Mobile users tap here to watch videoMore than half of Maryland's high school students heading to college who need extra academic help are spending part of their summer trying to get a head start. Morgan State University is one of the many schools in the Baltimore area with programs that educators hope will help bridge the gap. The school is currently hosting members of the class of 2019."We're excited to bring new students to campus through transitional programs, whether it's a six-week summer bridge program or a four-day program like our orientation, because we know they need a good start," said Tiffany Mfume, director of Morgan State University's Office of Student Success and Retention.Students said they don't mind the extra help if it adds up to a stress-free start."My strongest point is English because I'm a creative writing, hopefully, major, so math will always be difficult for me, but I'm always looking forward to getting help and expanding," said Keiyanni Jackson, a student.The Maryland Higher Education Commission said based on data from 2012, 56.5 percent of Maryland's new college students needed remediation.In Baltimore-area school districts, these proportion of high school students needed remediation:52.9 percent in Anne Arundel County76.6 percent in Baltimore City60.5 percent in Baltimore County61.1 percent in Carroll County50.4 percent in Harford County39.6 percent in Howard CountyAt Morgan State, students are convinced the summer programs will make a difference."It's very important and vital that we actually revisit those things so we don't come into college on Aug. 24 and we're like shaking and troubled," said Oladipo Adeuyn, a student."Even though we don't officially have summer homework, it's nice to definitely to brush up on some things, like read a textbook or to just refresh a little bit. It's not a lot," said Reuben Wilhelm, a student.Morgan State officials said students who complete the remediation programs have a better chance of graduating on time.