How can i support student’s transition to university study?

In the first weeks of semester, students’ can struggle with cognitive overload due to a new environment, a new schedule, interacting with university systems (such as enrolment, vUWS) and the bombardment of information about what they are expected to do and what is available to them. It’s easy for students to miss important key information at this time. Instead of giving students more information, try to provide students with relevant information throughout the semester when it is important for them to engage with it.

Strategies and Tips

Clearly outline the expectations for students in your unit—their roles and responsibilities in your Learning Guide, on vUWS and set aside time in your first class to go over these. Be explicit about minimum expectations around attendance and how long students should expect to study outside of class or online to be successful.
The week before semester starts, open your vUWS site to students with all the important unit documentation, such as the unit outline, learning guide, information around weekly topics and assessments.
Ask students who are repeating the unit to make an appointment with you as unit coordinator so you can provide additional support
Create a short (5 minutes max) welcome video and a welcome announcement for vUWS and release this in the week before session starts to orientate students to the unit. This might include information on expectations, how vUWS works, assessments or how to get the textbook.
Incorporate weekly transition slides for students into your lectures or online materials. The slides in the resources section provide ideas about the type of information you could share with students each week as reminders of where they should be up to or what types of things might be happening. These slides should be personalised to your unit and updated for every new session. The Teachers Guide provides more information on how to use the slides.
Encourage students to use the assignment calculator, to help them develop a personal study schedule. You may want to include this in the assessment resources you provide students and include a link to it in your vUWS site.
Spend time in the first week introducing students to vUWS and any other tech they need for your unit. Try not to overestimate students’ technology skills. Although students may be familiar with mobile technology and social media, they are unlikely to be familiar with vUWS or other learning management systems. Spend time taking students through vUWS and any other online systems they need to navigate in order to engage with your course. Provide students with the necessary information about who they should contact and how if they experience technical problems, and when they should contact you.

Remind students about assessment due dates, deferred exams and information around special consideration a week before assessments are due.

Consider the following two modules developed by Learning Futures:

Learn2Learn – An engaging and bite sized module on becoming a self-regulated learner and becoming a successful students at Western
http://lf.westernsydney.edu.au/learn2learn

RefQuest –Accelerate an understanding of academic referencing while have fun fighting monsters and exploring dungeons in this multi-award winning learning game.
https://refquest.westernsydney.edu.au/

Practical Tip

Class Resources – STARS Weekly Slides under ‘Resources for staff’

Weekly transition slides Can be found under classroom resources

Slide on deferred exams and special considerations

Review of grade reminder

The Study Smart assignment calculator