Taking the right steps towards transition

Commentary

Transition to university can be a daunting experience as it is often a time of uncertainty, confusion and isolation. While most students look forward to the challenges of starting this new phase of their life, many underestimate the significant adjustments to be made. The University's Transition Unit Coordinator, Sandra Gault, takes a look at what is being done to assist new students make the transition to university.

Academic demands and social factors such as loneliness, lack of support networks and adapting to a new environment can lead to stress and anxiety. Stress and anxiety can interfere with learning and academic progress, and unfortunately, many students who are unsuccessful in adjusting to university decide to leave.

Research has demonstrated that the first-year experience is pivotal in establishing positive attitudes, expectations, motivation and approaches to learning for students that contribute to their participation and success. The first few weeks in particular are a critical time for engaging students in the broader university life and connecting with the learning community.

Recognising the importance of the first-year experience, the University is committed to developing innovative approaches to engage and support first-year students. A Transition Unit has been established, which is working in partnership with academic areas and support services to provide an environment that is responsive and supportive and one in which the delivery of information and support is timely and appropriate. The Transition Unit has developed a number of initiatives to improve the first-year experience, with a particular focus on the first few weeks of university life.

An exciting development in 2008 has been the introduction of UniStep (University Student Transition Experience Program), a comprehensive orientation program to help students "step" through the first weeks of uni life.

UniStep starts with orientation week, offering students the opportunity to participate in a diverse range of academic and social activities. With so much on offer in such a short space of time, students can experience information overload, so for the next six weeks UniStep provides information to students on an "as needs" basis. Each week has a theme and related activities which are promoted through the first-year students' website and with promotional flyers and posters displayed on campus.

The weekly themes are designed to help new students learn more about what is on offer around the uni and to encourage them to gain skills that will help them to be successful students.

In addition to the extended orientation program, the Transition Unit has been working closely with academic areas to provide new students with opportunities to meet with other students and staff early in the academic year, to encourage a sense of connection and belonging. Faculty and school staff have engaged with students in various ways - from hosting morning teas for first years, to piloting peer mentoring programs.

The School of Business (undergraduate and postgraduate programs), School of Architecture, Landscape Architecture and Urban Design, School of Economics, and the Faculty of Science (Bachelor of Science students), have established peer mentor programs based on the successful university-wide equity peer mentor program, SmoothStart, which was introduced in 2005.

The number of SmoothStart mentors and mentees has increased each year, and feedback from participants has been overwhelmingly positive. Many mentees have been keen to return the following year as mentors. An exciting change to the SmoothStart peer mentor program in 2008 has been the participation of Wilto Yerlo (indigenous programs) mentors and mentees.

The faculty and school-based mentor programs are individually tailored to meet the needs of the specific academic area and are coordinated by either academic or professional staff from that area.

Peer mentor programs take advantage of the often under-utilised resource of other students. Senior students are recruited "in house" and are provided with training that helps them to develop their professional skills. Senior students are an invaluable source of information for new students and can promote a positive environment for first-year students, encouraging friendship networks and reducing isolation.

The Transition Unit is looking forward to increasing the number of peer mentor programs on offer to first-year students in 2009, and working with academic areas and support services to give new students the information and support they need to succeed at university.