As part of Circle U.'s ambition to create an inclusive European University, this project aims to develop student-driven ideas for initiatives which support the social and academic integration of first-year students and build a positive learning environment and student community.
A student from the University of Belgrade shared the following highlights from the weekend:
"The experience of intensive group work through brainstorming, exchange of ideas and the creation of new solutions for the challenges faced by first-year students. For me, this was also the first experience of working in an international team at another university."
"King's College London organised a tour of London, during which I had the opportunity to get to know the programme coordinators and colleagues from other universities in a more informal way, as well as to see parts of the city which I would not have the chance to see under other circumstances."
Identifying common challenges and brainstorming ideas
The students began by sharing experiences of first year at their own university, which enabled them to identify common challenges across the participating institutions, including academic writing, study skills, making new friends, homesickness and managing time and finances.
After identifying common challenges, the participants moved into mixed university groups to brainstorm ideas about what the first year of university should include more and less of.
More of... and less of...
More of: Communication, Exam Guidance, Campus maps, Peer-to-peer integration, Studying technique support, Help finding housing, Adulting tips - Bank account - Rent, Mental health support and awareness, Concise information, Proper feedback for assessments, Communication between university and students, Introduction to university before applying, Career talks with professional in same industry, Info about what to do with your degree, Counselling from older students, Consistency across faculties, Help managing time, mental health and finances, Financial Counselling, Guidance for living on your own, Help managing/info about academic expectations, Informal social events, Help integrating socially, Clubs/societies, Personalised academic support, Time management support, Non-alcohol events, Better mental health support, Helpful apps and portals for info, and Help between students.
Less of: Pressure, Stress among students, Expenses (renting, books, services), Confusion/getting lost on campus, Anxiety, Physical exam papers, Dropping out, Inconsistencies across departments, Individual work, Financial pressure, Loneliness, Fees, and Rigidity around changing course.
Designing the ideal first year experience
Through a dream boarding exercise, the groups worked to design their ideal first-year experience. The dream boards took several different forms, but common themes included pre-university academic writing guidance, mentoring, tutoring and campus tours from older students, the flexibility to change course, feeling empowered to manage housing and finances and being able to strike the right balance between academic and social life.
Developing ideas for student-driven bridging initiatives
Having designed their dream first-year experience, the students developed more concrete ideas for initiatives which address the challenges they identified. Find out about their final ideas to improve the first-year experience below.
Exam Feedback
First-year students would receive constructive feedback on written exams from trained advisers in one-to-one sessions. Watch the video on YouTube.
This idea was developed by Alicia Seet (King's College London), Dora Horvath (King's College London), Bodil Bang (Aarhus University), Julian Linton (Aarhus University) and Clara Neumeister (UCLouvain).
The Not-So-Dating App
A proposal for an app for students to make friends and connect with peers with similar interests from their university. Watch the video on YouTube.
This idea was developed by Ayushi Goel (King's College London), Andrea Mandic (University of Belgrade), Amalie Asmind Rosendal (Aarhus University), Camille Dewez (UCLouvain) and Anaïs Delmotte (UCLouvain).
Community Garden
Students would create and maintain a community garden on campus, where students could come to garden, read, reflect and build a community of like-minded friends. Read the article (pdf).
This idea was developed by Jiayi Low (King's College London), Geertje Graehn (Aarhus University), Miona Sreckovic (University of Belgrade) and Emilie Renard (UCLouvain).
Student-driven Podcast
Students would produce a podcast which interviews existing students and alumni to provide insights on studying a degree programme and the careers it could lead to. Read the report (pdf).
This idea was developed by Neda Djelmas (University of Belgrade), Neha Kapadia (King's College London), Katarina Smed Kruuse (Aarhus University) and Gabriel Willems (UCLouvain).
External Guest Workshops
Students would organise workshops with external guests from a range of backgrounds to encourage first-year students to develop skills, experiences and networks outside their course. See the presentation on prezi.com
This idea was developed by Damely Akizhanova (King's College London), Emma Kjær Madsen (Aarhus University), Móeiður Vigfúsdóttir (Aarhus University), Elie Sartiaux (UCLouvain) and Julia Mbairaroua (UCLouvain).
University Handbook
Student societies at each university would be formed to write an online handbook which collates all the information students need to settle in and access support during their first year of university. See the poster (pdf).
This idea was developed by Alicia Seet (King's College London), Dora Horvath (King's College London), Bodil Bang (Aarhus University), Julian Linton (Aarhus University) and Clara Neumeister (UCLouvain).
Pre-university Reading and Writing Course
First-year students would be offered a free academic reading and writing course before they begin their studies. Read the article (pdf).
This idea was developed by Neda Djelmas (University of Belgrade), Neha Kapadia (King's College London), Katarina Smed Kruuse (Aarhus University) and Gabriel Willems (UCLouvain).
Contact
For more information on this project and the students' ideas, please contact the Circle U. team in London: circle-u@kcl.ac.uk
