2016 Career Advisers’ Seminar Friday 15 April 2016 RMIT Storey Hall

Student mentoring for success Lila Kemlo Manager, Student Learning Support College of Business

Page 3 What is SLAMs? Peer-peer academic mentoring program providing learning support and addressing issues of transition 12 th year in College of Business RMIT University (onshore) 6 th year RMIT Vietnam (both campuses)

Page 4 What is SLAMs? Drop-in Centre Week 2 to week 11, Mon-Fri 9.00am – 5.30pm one-to-one small groups large groups SLAMs is an organisation of 500+ volunteer s local and international students who have gained High Distinction or Distinction Offering two hours per week for eight weeks to support first year/ continuing students at the College of Business Free of charge Over 3,500 students supported each year

Page 5 Why SLAMs? Student feedback: need for support and guidance to assist with academic and social transition into RMIT Research: 1 st year 1 st semester critically important in students’ life for success and retention What influences student learning success? A sense of connectedness to university and program (belonging) Understanding expectations and belief in capability to achieve success (mastery)

Page 6 Transition: the challenges & expectations Students need to develop ability to: Become independent self-directed learners Cope in lectures of over 1,500 students Navigate the online learning environment Ask questions Develop skills in critical thinking, problem solving and analysis Make new friends and networks Know what support services are available and how to access them Self-diagnose what services they need/want Work in multi-cultural teams for assessments

Page 7 Challenges and expectations for students Expectations are often different from what students may have experienced previously It often takes students one semester to understand these differences and adjust to the different teaching and learning styles. By then some may have experienced failure, loss of self-confidence and self esteem and become disconnected with their studies.

Page 8 What SLAMs offers?

Page 9 What does SLAMs offer? Positive solution to address transition issues Opportunity for students to learn difficult concepts at own pace Mentors have already walked the trail ‘Students helping students achieve’ crosses cultural barriers between local and international students Enriches the quality of student learning Acts as great role models

Page 10 SLAMs home room SLAMs have a ‘home’ room in the College of Business building Sense of belonging – a place where students feel safe and welcome Students don’t need to make an appointment.

Page 11 Subjects supported by SLAMs 80 subjects /courses supported by SLAMs from Associate Degrees in Business and Legal Practice, Undergraduate and Postgraduate programs

Page 12 Benefits of being a SLAM Satisfaction of helping others Make new friends and networks Learning community amongst SLAMs mentors Develop interpersonal skills, communication skills Improve own study habits.

Page 13 Benefits of being a SLAM

Page 14 Benefits of being a SLAM Certificate of Appreciation from College of Business Excellent reference; value add for employment Increased engagement with the university and community

Page 15 Testimonial from RMIT Melbourne Student ‘SLAMs is a great opportunity to meet other students, especially those from the same course.’ 2 nd Year Law mentor ‘I joined SLAMs because I like helping out other people…it’s good to do what I can for someone else and help them through difficult subjects. It’s good fun, I really enjoy it.’ 3 rd year Financial Accounting mentor

Page 16 Celebrating our success

Page Years later… Continuing high levels of student satisfaction Course Coordinators promote SLAMs and seek to assist in training SLAMs for their courses. Growth in mentor numbers and students seeking support Many students who received SLAM’s assistance become mentors SLAMs in Vietnam – both campuses and growing each year.