Successful Student Transitions - A Time to Thrive

In this episode the focus is on “the stayers”. At times of change, there will be some people leaving to go to a new place - a school, university or a new country. Time and effort is rightly focused on creating a good goodbye for the leavers.

And there will be people staying put who will be experiencing change as people around them leave.

They also have to learn to adjust to this change, something not of their making.

We likely have all have felt what it is like to be a leaver and a stayer at some point. As a stayer, were the changes and your responses ever acknowledged? It can be hard to be a stayer.

In relation to the university transition, students on a gap year and parents are examples of stayers.

Listen as Louise and Elizabeth discuss:

• Who are the stayers and why it’s important to bring focus to this group
• The challenges of being a stayer
• Using the RAFT framework to support stayers

And if you are just starting university or responsible for young adults who are, take a look at our new course: Thrive in Your First Weeks at University: A framework for adjusting and settling well. HERE

In this episode Elizabeth speaks to Christian about decision making and then applying to university as a mature student.

This is an important viewpoint as about a third of undergraduates in the UK are mature students.

Christian shares his story of facing a fork in the road about his future - looking for another job or making the move towards university. There were many of things to consider especially as he knew the world of work but didn't know any mature students. He now does!

Listen as Elizabeth and Christian discuss:

• What steps helped Christian move towards being a university student.
• The positives and challenges of being a mature student
• The importance of seeing the bigger picture and understanding your WHY of higher education and beyond
• Support that universities can offer for this particular group of students
• Using your strengths and skills from your work experience to university life
• The advice that Christian offers to make this a successful transition

As the summer holiday begins in the Northern Hemisphere, many students, teachers and parents are looking forward to some rest and relaxation after a busy academic year.

For many students this time represents the end of one stage of their education and the beginning of the next, a move from primary to secondary school, a transition to higher education, or maybe a move into the world of work.

In this episode, Elizabeth shares her professional insights into this time of year and how she supports students, parents and educators to embrace both endings and new beginnings.

Listen as we discuss:

Elizabeths reflections from her professional work at this time of year.

Four elements of the RAFT framework.

• The importance of review and reconciliation.
• The value of affirmation
• The rational for taking the time to make a good farewell
• The positivity in thinking destination.

A little of what we have got right and wrong during our past times of transition.

Why transitions are not all easy, there are both good times and bumps along the way.

The importance of self-compassion at this time.

A timely episode for this time of year.

Exams over, results out, the long summer vacation begins. A time for re-connection between students, family and old friends. A time that brings joy and probably also 'some' frustration...

In this episode, we revisit Episode 55, first designed for the return home after term one at university. On re-listening we realised everything we said was relevant not just for that first return but for subsequent ones as well.

So, whether you are a student, parent or other family member, this episode is worth a listen as you all embark on The Return -:)

We discuss:

• How student experiences will have varied and home life may have moved on. How to find the new balance.
• The importance of setting realistic expectations and communicating them.
• Why 'negotiation' may become the most helpful word of the summer.
• The value in good endings and new beginnings even when the transition is a mini one.
• A reminder to put your well-being at the heart of the holiday period. Rest and recovery.... and whatever else makes you feel well.
• Setting the scene for a positive return to university in September.

We know the starting university is both an exciting and scary time.

For many students it is their first step into moving away from home and living independently.

Over the past 18 months on this podcast we've been exploring the question of what it means to thrive in times of transition as a student, and we believe we have reached some important conclusions.

In this episode we reveal why we believe a Transitions Blueprint will help students to adjust and settle well as embark on their move to university.

This follows on from Episode 74 where we shared our rational and foundations for the blueprint and why we believe it is necessary to make this kind of support available for students.

In this episode we discuss:

• How our professional and personal experiences have been our source of inspiration for transition support.
• Why cultural agility forms part of the solution for times of transition.
• How our approach complements the support many universities aim to provide for students.
• The three tasks that we have to support students.
• Our approach and plans.

We know the starting university is both an exciting and scary time.

For many students it is their first step into moving away from home and living independently.

Over the past 18 months on this podcast we've been exploring the question of what it means to thrive in times of transition as a student, and we believe we have reached some important conclusions.

In the next episode, episode 75 we reveal our Blueprint for Successful Student Transitions.

In this episode, we present our rational and the foundations for the Blueprint.

Here we:

• Discuss the nature of change in the 21st century and ask, how well are we preparing student for this fast paced ever changing world?
• Outline the experience of university transition and explain why supporting students to thrive through this life change, provides an important template for future transitions.
• Share recent research into student wellbeing and mental health when starting university.
• Share our four foundations for the Blueprint for Successful Student Transitions.
• We hope you enjoy this episode.

Welcome to Exam Smarts.

In this episode, we're excited to welcome Steve Schecter from MuchSmarter.com. Steve brings his wisdom of learning and tutoring experience to this inspiring conversation, packed full of engaging stories leading to pertinent lessons.

Listen to discover:

• How to harness the power of expectations in a way that makes the most of potential.
• Wise words on the subject of perfectionism, why we need to stop believing all we think especially about our limitations.
• Steve's thoughts re GRIT and his preference for persistence of thought and habit.
• Why celebrating small gains is the way to win at exam/assessment preparation.
• The value in the exam experience for building important life skills - yes really!
• Steve's 5 powerful tips for approaching exam season with confidence.

To learn more about Steve, go and read his inspiring story HERE

Welcome to this episode where we celebrate student voices.

In this episode Elizabeth speaks to Anja about her educational journey and autism diagnosis.

Anja openly shares the highs and lows, the challenges and the ways in which she managed those challenges and survive her university experience.

It was not all plain sailing and Anja shares an important message for universities about supporting students who find socialisation challenging. It is not all about the academic support.

Listen as Elizabeth and Anja discuss:

• The very positive support University Disability Services provided for Anja as she arrived and settled into the academics of university life.
• The challenges that arose, how Anja handled them, and how better support could have made a real difference to her experience.
• The importance of seeing the bigger and longer term picture - and university as a path to a positive future..
• The value of support outside of the university structure.
• Why it is so important to develop your ability to ask for help.

Welcome to an episode where we celebrate student voices and specialist university support

In this episode Elizabeth speaks to Edward Mills, a postdoctoral research fellow at Exeter University. Edward is a lecturer in medieval history, a personal tutor and is actively involved in Transition Days and the Enhanced Induction Programme for new neurodiverse students. He was diagnosed as autistic at the end of first university degree. He enjoys talking and writing on autism and history - just two of his passions.

Listen to learn more about neurodiversity and if you have an autism diagnosis there are helpful pointers about applying to university and in gaining support.

They discuss

• You are not alone if you have an autism diagnosis when going to university. The latest data from 2021-22 indicate there are at least 19,000 young adults making the transition from school to university.
• The university experience might raise some challenges AND it could well be a place to thrive. Neurodivergence and university can go well together. It can be a place to showcase your strengths and skills that could be easy and fun for you!
• Edward encourages you to be proactive in sharing your diagnosis as this will unlock doors to meet your needs.
• He explains how adjustments and ILPs ( Individual Learning Plans), that are created in collaboration with students, can bring a range of support.
• Parents can be involved in this process of transition.
• Reading stories of the experience of the transition to university can be helpful. These can be found on the Autism and Uni Toolkit below.
• Edward shared a number of helpful resources that support neurodiverse students through the transition to university.

Welcome to an episode where we celebrate student voices.

In this episode Elizabeth speaks to Scarlet, an autistic PhD student who has experienced ups and downs in her 6 years of Higher Education.

It is a great conversation with Scarlet sharing her wisdom on the transition to university.

Listen to learn more about neurodiversity and if you have an autism diagnosis there are helpful pointers about applying to university and in gaining support.

They discuss

• Doing the research on what support universities offer. This is usually though their Disability Service (DBS)
• It’s often a challenge to know about what support you might need at university because you don't know it until you get there.
• Your needs might change at different stages of your university experience.
• Scarlet’s skill in advocating for herself after a break from university. Making things happen for her and the students that come after her.
• The importance of focused support for autistic students e.g. burnout, scheduling work, noticing patterns of avoidance and developing reflection skills, preferably before the transition to university.
• Scarlet’s continued work to ensure the best support from her university and developing her skills to succeed.