Supporting Students’ Transition to Higher Education Zoë Pither

The best years of your life! vs I wish I’d known…

Where things are The library Homesickness Where to go shopping Where to go out Where not to go Clubs and societies Ongoing health problems Faith groups Cooking Finance Mental health Leaving home Staying at home Long distance relationships Academic work Making friends Accommodation problems Help with dyslexia Managing time Organisation skills Budgeting Which books to buy Disability support Communal living Independent study Social life Work/life balance Referencing essays Personal tutors Getting to know the city Who to talk to Getting ill Culture shock Freshers flu Part-time work Fitting in Sports & fitness

When does ‘transition’ start? Thinking about choosing HE courses? UCAS application? Offered a place? Accepted a place? Confirmation? Arrival at HEI?

Transition Curve

The ‘W’ Curve Stages of re-adjustment

3 rules for dealing with change Rule 1 – everyone is different Rule 2 – everyone is different Rule 3 – everyone is different

Preparation for transition Encourage students to understand the process of transition and change Reflect on changes they have experienced so far What went well? What was difficult? Start awareness raising Encourage research into the support available Promote independence But… It’s normal to ask for help!

Support Services Personal Tutors Student Health Service Accommodation Office Careers Service Hall tutors and staff Counselling Service Skills Development Student Funding Peer Support Access Unit International Students’ Advisory Service

Start early Support services are available to students from the start (sometimes earlier) Disabled students and those with ongoing health issues can contact the university they are applying to before an Open Day to discuss support needs Some peer support schemes start before arrival

I wish I’d known… Unconscious Incompetence Conscious Incompetence Conscious Competence Unconscious Competence

Surviving Freshers’ Week The best week of your life? Information overload Accommodation worries Making friends Social whirl Staying healthy Fresher's fairs – clubs and societies Help is at hand

Becoming Independent It’s all about balance Budgeting Eating well Health Socialising Sleep Communal life Domestic Tolerance Communication Problem solving Dealing with disagreements

Becoming Independent New ways of learning Independent study doesn’t mean no help New relationships with ‘teachers’ Collaborative learning Time management Organisation skills Increase awareness of own learning styles Make use of study skills support

More help… Student life presentations Student ambassadors UCAS – Getting in Getting on University websites