First Year Experience Project

Context

The University of Queensland aims to ensure that all its students are provided with excellence of learning experiences and outcomes.  These learning experiences and outcomes should reflect the depth and breath of a comprehensive research-intensive University.  The learning experiences must be challenging and should be the first steps in developing attributes such as independence and creativity.  The experiences should also make the students feel part of a learning community that engages them with new understandings and developments in their respective fields, as well as with other students and staff.  A commitment to these goals must be evident from the outset of a student’s engagement with the University.  In making this commitment it is recognised that the first year of a student’s life at the University poses particular challenges for the student and the institution.

To engage first year students, the University must be able to assist them to deal with their social and educational transition.  Among other issues, first year students need to forge a sense of belonging, both socially and academically, in the new environment in which they find themselves.  Making this transition effectively increases the chances of academic success for students and their overall satisfaction with their University studies.  Large classes or programs that do not have a core curriculum to create shared purpose and identity, in combination with the financial and personal demands on students which have the potential to fragment their experiences of campus life, may contribute to making this transition difficult (Beder, 1997; McInnis & James, 1995).

The First Year Experience Project at The University of Queensland is a strategic teaching and learning project funded by the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic).  The overall aim of the project is to identify specific, student-centred initiatives that create a learning environment that will improve first year students’ experiences.

In 2005 FYE project activities were two-fold:

1. the implementation and evaluation of Faculty-based pilot projects
2. the development of Faculty-based Induction programs for 2006.

Seed funding was provided to assist in the development, implementation, and evaluation of a number of pilot projects run at a local level. These projects were aimed variously at developing academic writing & research intervention skills; developing different learning skills & approaches, administering early diagnostic assessment exercises, conducting early one-on-one interviews to identify students at risk; developing an elective research-based course for credit; establishing physical & virtual drop-in centres, with lead tutors; and introducing additional Week 1 tutorials for socialisation & explication of course objectives.  Feedback and written reports on these pilot projects are currently underway.

In many cases these pilot projects have informed Faculty planning for 2006 Faculty-based programs aimed at inducting first year students into their university learning experience.  A sustained, academic induction program – building on the Orientation Week program – presents opportunities to engage, motivate and challenge students, to assist them to develop clear aspirational goals, to immerse them in scholarly discourse and to help them come to terms with academic life. These induction programs will be implemented and evaluated in 2006.

As expected each Faculty has taken a different approach with their Induction program to cater to the needs of their student cohort.  However, there are four key elements which are common across all seven Faculty programs:  Building a sense of community and connection within the university context; understanding possible future employment opportunities and early career planning; Addressing academic skills needs and improving communication between staff and students; and Hosting social events to enable students to meet one another and to form friendship/support networks to assist in their transition to university life.

The First Year Experience Project was completed in March, 2007. A project report outlining the activities and outcomes of the last eighteen months was produced and can be accessed online [Project Report]

First Year Experience Contact
Lynn Burnett
First Year Experience Project Coordinator
The University of Queensland
Telephone – (07) 3365 7346
Email – l.burnett1@uq.edu.au

References

Beder, S. (1997). Addressing the issues of social and academic integration for first year students. Faculty of Arts, University of Wollongong.  Available at:  http://ultibase.rmit.edu.au/Articles/dec97/beder1.htm

McInnis, C., & James, R. (1995). First year on campus: Diversity in the initial experiences of Australian undergraduates. Canberra: AGPS.

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