Transition to University

1. Transition to University Lessons learned and the Student View Dr Judith Dickson – Dean of Students Sandie Rudman – Development and Research Manager Macquarie Transition Program

2. Macquarie University is set on a 135-acre campus of beautiful and spacious parklands in North Ryde on Sydney's north shore. Setting the Macquarie Context

3. There is a student population of around 30 000, including undergraduate, postgraduate coursework and research students. The university is headed by the Vice Chancellor (President), Emeritus Professor Di Yerbury with a staff of over 2000. Macquarie has few prescribed undergraduate degrees – students have great flexibility in choice of subjects Macquarie overview

4. First year students must enroll in person They must consult an academic adviser in their area of study and have their proposed program approved. This ensures that students have the opportunity to discuss their program with an academic and ask any questions they may have The Macquarie Way

5. All commencing undergraduate and postgraduate coursework students receive an Invitation to attend Academic Orientation in the following ways In their Enrolment and Information Packs In person by Dr Judith Dickson, Dean of Students at the Welcome and Pre-enrolment Sessions Personally by a student mentor during their enrolment process Informing and Inviting Students

6. Academic Survival skills I am an independent learner I know what to do in a lecture, tutorial, seminar I know how to take good notes when listening or reading My maths skills are adequate for my course I know how the University library works I can use the library to find resources for my assignments I know how to use the University email system and the Web Getting Around the Campus I know what services and facilities the University provides for my use I know where to find the things and places I need on campus I know where to go and who to see if I need help Being Organised I have no problems getting motivated I know how to use my time well I can balance study, part-time work and fun Are you Uni-Ready?Respond YES or NO to the following statements

7. An Academic Orientation day is conducted for each Division (=Faculty). This enables the sessions to be more context specific Allows students to meet other new students commencing in the same general degree program Allows staff teaching first year units to be introduced to new students Allows appropriate matching of mentors with new students Undergraduate Academic Orientation Days

8. Academic Orientation Program- Undergraduates • In theatre short introductory sessions on: • Time management • Writing at university level • Support services • Library services • On line learning • Meeting teaching staff

9. The Mentor Program Why Mentors? • Students listen to and value the advice and support of their peers Who are they? • Student mentors are any current student (normally 2nd or 3rd year) who have volunteered to be a mentor. • Mentors are recruited in Semester 2 each year for the following year • Mentors represent all groups on campus • Local • International • Mature age • Mentors are trained • In group building and personal skills • In being aware of and promotion of all services available to students

10. The Mentor’s Role Meeting a mentor. • This part of the program has grown in time allocation as students indicate that this is the most useful session. • The format of Divisional Academic Orientation allows mentors and mentees to be grouped according to areas of study

11. Regular emails are sent to first year students in the semester as ‘drip feed’ of information Feedback on emails is very positive, confirming the need for ongoing reminders of services, dates, where to find information etc. Format is uninspiring but it is immediate – the information is there. Linking to a website to read the ‘Student News’ may discourage many students. Hyperlinks to specific web addresses are in the email The only suggested improvements have been to produce the emails in a more inviting format. For 2006 there is a plan to design a ‘Weekly Diary’ on the web ‘MU Student News’ emails

12. Email 1 MQid (access to Services) Writing Gateway Study Skills seminars Numeracy Centre Transition web site First year meeting places Accessing student email Sports Association and Clubs Email 2 Online Study Support Library Training Courses and Notes Counseling – ‘Drop in before you Drop out’ Email 4 Mail from Undergraduate Studies Section – what to expect and what to do with it Student Enquiry Service web page Counseling and Medical Service Checking details on eStudent (Student administrative info on line) Email 5 Check draft exam timetable Writing Skills Courses Writing Advisory Service Numeracy Centre Content of emails.Web links provided to access each of these services

13. Student feedback on First Year emailsn =447

14. Thank you for the transition newsletter. I have found it useful and supportive being a newcomer to Macq. Univ. Having someone make contact is supportive for me so I appreciate the information and the mere fact of some simple directions for where to go to for assistance without having to wonder about the correct location. Well done! am finding your emails very useful. They have given me new contacts and also reassurance in some areas. Thanks for you time and hard work. Just a quick note to say thank you thank you. I have found your messages very helpful and most of all they have given a sense of support knowing you are there. Thank you and please keep it up. The transition student news is very helpful, definitely continue this service throughout the year and continuing years. I've always known that the uni offers so much help, but all the different pamphlets and people to see makes it confusing and creates an overload. Your e-news brings it altogether and makes it simple. Thanks. What students say… some comments

15. Promoted to all new postgraduate students Attended by large numbers of commencing local and international postgraduates Focuses on Writing at postgraduate level Library research skills (degree areas specific) Postgraduate Skills and Information Workshop

16. In 2002 the Transition Program assumed responsibility for the Family Orientation Evening, held in the third week of March. This is attended by the Chancellor, Vice Chancellor, Deans of Divisions and many academic and other staff involved in first year student issues. Around 400 parents and friends of new students take the opportunity to attend this function which closes with informal drinks, with parents being able to ask questions and socialise with staff. Other Initiatives

17. Increasing presence at Open Day and Advising Day to promote transition issues Short presentations are given on ‘Transition to University’ Mentors contribute by running stalls and talking to parents and prospective students about the first year at university and the services Macquarie offers to assist them Transition Program has been instrumental in the development, implementation and administration of Peer Assisted Learning (PAL) in one Division

18. With teaching and support staff regarding Orientation and ongoing assistance to students in transition With international students’ Student Support staff and Study Skills Advisor With other staff in the development of integrated academic support in units such as Peer Assisted Learning (PAL), Student Support Officers in Divisions University-wide collaboration

19. Having Academic Orientation by Division All students attending get basic introduction to academic expectations, services available and who and where to get information when they need it Increased role of mentors – they take a prominent front-of-house role Mentor leaders – greater skills acquisition and valuable addition to their university education What has worked well

20. Various attempts to establish first year meeting places on campus in the first weeks where first years can pop in with questions. Several models have been tried with little success and why! New students are reluctant to identify as needing help Difficult to get meeting time to suit times when students are on campus and available What hasn’t worked….

21. Weekly ‘How to do it Uni-style’ sessions Content of sessions designed to coincide on a ‘need-to-know’ basis with time line of academic expectations in classes Student focussed Led by mentors with other appropriate staff support How to do it better…

22. Week 1 First year Information stall during Clubs and Societies Social Orientation week staffed by mentors to promote sessions Week 2 Accessing Online material, using Online teaching facilities, accessing, iLecture and using student email Week 3 The basics of note taking in lectures Making the most of Tutorials, practicals and other small group learning. Use drama group to model (using humour) Week 4 Tackling your first assignment - academic expectations, library resources, Note taking from written sources, plagiarism, referencing Week 5 ?????? Topics under consideration:

23. Build on the mentor program to extend mentor engagement with the greater university community by: Having mentors as students representatives to present the student view in the area of teaching and learning Collaborating with the Alumni Office to have mentor functions attended by alumni who have been successful in their careers Develop regular mentor social events to facilitate group building and other skills which will value-add to the mentor experience Other Plans