Research Seminar - School of Health and Medical Science

Presented by Dr David Long, UniSQ

While enabling programs can provide non-traditional students with academic skills and opportunities required for an undergraduate degree, the transition into the first year of study still brings many challenges. Peer mentoring and transition support are two strategies that assist first-year students academically and socially. This presentation discusses a Mentoring and Transition Pilot Program (MTPP) trialed in the School of Health and Medical Sciences that combines these strategies as an intervention to improve sense of belonging and thereby retention of these students. Using a mixed-methods approach, ‘building student confidence’ was identified as a key process in the MTPP that was important in both transitioning students and their mentors. Confidence is also supported by concepts such as increasing awareness, coping and reflecting, extending study habits and social acumen. The lessons learned about these concepts can be applied to better enrich future iterations of the MTPP.

For more information, please contact Jessica Levick.