Jisc Change Agents' Network Conference 2024

The transition to university is a significant and challenging leap for most students because it necessitates increased academic and personal autonomy. The School of Psychological Science has pioneered an academic and social support initiative for Year1 students navigating this critical phase. Our approach involves small-group, in-person workshop sessions specifically tailored to help students adjust to new expectations and independent study and settle into the academic community. Crucially, these sessions are delivered by a team of current senior students, both undergraduate and postgraduate (~20), who bring a wealth of lived experience as Transitions to University Mentors. 

Our distinctive approach centres on co-creation, central to the conference theme. Collaboration between the Unit Director and student team plays an instrumental role in shaping workshop content, structuring lessons and crafting the Transitions curriculum. This partnership ensures that support provided is relevant to the unique challenges faced by transitioning students. By embracing co-creation, we empower students to navigate the complexities of university life and foster a sense of belonging within the academic community. In addition to highly positive unit evaluations from both new students and mentors, we are currently conducting a research study to further measure the impact of our Transitions sessions. 

This research includes focus groups and questionnaires, aiming to provide a deeper understanding of the effectiveness of our co-creation model. Our presentation at the Change Agents' Network Conference will share practice and insights from our unit development journey, including the perspective of student mentor co-creators, and provide an overview of the Transitions workshops themes and topics. We will also present outcomes from our ongoing research study, providing insights into the impact of our teaching sessions and the broader student transition experience. We look forward to engaging in discussions on effective practices for enhancing student engagement and outcomes in higher education.