Student Counselling Service1 Retention at Trinity College Deirdre Flynn & Derek Richards, Student Counselling Service.

Student Counselling Service2 Is Retention a Problem? What do we know? What can be done by academic staff? Strategic initiatives (T.I.) in college and externally The Retention Network

Student Counselling Service3 What is known Morgan 2001 A study of non-completion in undergraduate University courses: Non-completion rates TCD The average non-completion rate across Irish Universities is 16.8% %15.4% male16.0% female %13.8% male19.0% female

Student Counselling Service4 What is Known Completion rates at Trinity College for students who began their studies in 1992: Engineering Computer Science Graduating on timeGraduating lateNot completing course 68%16% Graduating on timeGraduating lateNot completing course 38%29%33%

Student Counselling Service5 What is known Course choice and commitment (Baird, 2002, Mathews & Mulkeen, 2002) Students ability to integrate socially and academically (Tinto, 1987,1993) Unpreparedness for course of choice Conflicts between demands of work and study / academic underperformance Multiple factors – personal, financial and social

Student Counselling Service6 Retention / Withdrawal Avoidable and advisable withdrawal 2/3 happy with their decision to leave 90% planned to return or had returned to education 41% left without talking with anyone Second level career guidance consultation (13% only) (Baird, 2002) 51% of Junior Freshman had considered leaving college (Harrington et al, 2001)

Student Counselling Service7 Interventions Interventions by lecturers (weeks 4-8, prior to summer exams, post exam results) Connect with students – building relationships, departmental receptions Integrate general skills (study, stress, Interpersonal) into your teaching / core curriculum – GENSIP Provide early and frequent feedback re performance Linking and referring to other service providers

Student Counselling Service8 Interventions Peer tutoring programmes Target students at intake Transition year students Course prospectus Exit interview and SAS Other interventions

Student Counselling Service9 College Retention Projects Junior Freshman Project Peer Support Access Learning Support Project Peer Tutoring in the Language Departments Peer Tutoring in Computer Science Mathematics support Project

Student Counselling Service10 Other Retention Projects Tackling the problem of students early learning difficulties with computer programming DCU - Nora Brophy and Elaine Breslin Information and Communication technology learning centre UL – Michael English Analysis of specific interventions for 1 st year students in the areas of information technology, computer science and mathematics – Gearodin Ui Nia et al. Exploring maths underpreparedness at third level – Olivia Gill et al, University of Limerick

Student Counselling Service11 Retention Network (CHUI) Objectives – Improve all students chances of achieving their maximum potential Foster a coordinated approach between Student Services and Academic Staff Advocate an open systems approach