Annual Admissions Conference 2020 – CANCELLED

‘Everybody else is doing OK, so what is wrong with me?’ How to help young people survive and thrive through the transition to university

Transitioning to university is a challenging time for many students, partly because of the gap between how university life is portrayed in popular culture, and how it really is. There is evidence that young people struggle to visualise what university might be like, which leaves them unprepared for the reality of their new lives. Working with young people, we have an opportunity to help prepare them to improve their chances of succeeding in their new environment, and to increase the likelihood of them coping well if things get difficult – to help them build their resilience.

Many students wonder why ‘everybody else is doing okay, what is wrong with me?’ – so tackling this concern openly before they arrive at university can help them to recognise what resources they have, both within themselves, and from support services to address this worry. 

This workshop will help delegates to think about their roles and responsibilities:

• In ensuring students have a realistic view of the transition to university, and hear what student wish they had known before coming to uni.
• In supporting student mental health and wellbeing and helping students recognise and develop their own resilience and life skills through this transition.
• In educating students about the wide range of support services available at university.

Learning outcomes

• Understand the importance of normalising the challenge of transition.
• Develop an understanding of your role in supporting student mental health and wellbeing and top tips to help students thrive.
• Explore the availability of student support at university.