Support your students with their transition to university

Please note - this text was created based on text provided by Rubela Begum, Student Recruitment and Marketing Assistant at the University of Birmingham for the Teachers' Guide to University brochure

The transition to university from sixth form or college marks a new chapter for your students. It can be a daunting yet exciting experience for many, which involves adapting to new educational, social, and physical environments. This blog post will offer you insights into the common challenges your students may face, and advice on how you can prepare them for their higher education journey.

Lack of knowledge, being unprepared, and mismatched expectations about student life can lead to disappointment when transitioning to university. However, there are many ways your students can prepare to make the transition easier. You can advise them to:

• engage with university open days and explore university websites
• speak to an academic about the course and ask questions regarding contact hours and the workload
• chat with current students, either in person or online, to gain a deeper understanding of university life
• visit the accommodation and understand the process of applying for it
• talk to student services and learn what support is available.

Your students will enjoy greater autonomy over their learning at university. This encourages them to delve deeper into their subject, be active learners, and develop valuable skills, such as problem-solving and critical analysis.

You can advise your students to reflect on their current skills and how they might apply them at university. For example, students will likely have developed their organisation and time management skills at school or college.

You can suggest your students think about ways to improve these skills to handle their new academic priorities effectively, and consider which areas they may need extra support with.

You can also recommend students use their university’s academic skills services to help them in areas such as essay writing, referencing, presentations, and note-taking among many others. You may also wish to stress that independent learning does not have to be a solitary activity. Studying alongside peers can often enhance the learning experience.

University provides a great platform for your students to learn financial responsibility and gain essential budgeting skills.

You can advise your students to gain an understanding about how to fund their university experience before they start. They should check how much money they’ll receive for their student loan. They should then check that against their accommodation, food, travel, course, and social costs. This will help them to budget and live within their means early on.

There are several ways to save money as a student, such as bulk-buying, meal-prepping, and using student discounts. Many universities offer scholarships and bursaries, often advertised on their websites. Others will offer a financial hardship fund for any students who are really struggling to make ends meet.

Graduates often say they "made friends for life" at university. But for some of your students, moving away from their support network might make them feel lonely.

Encourage your students to attend induction week activities, immerse themselves in social events, and join clubs and societies. This is a great way for your students to meet new people who share their interests. It can help them to form supportive friendships.

Connecting on social media, especially with people they’re going to be living with, is also an excellent way for your students to foster friendships before they start. Many universities will facilitate these online connections to support your students ahead of their induction week.