Peer transition programs: Run by students for students

This presentation will highlight the ‘nuts and bolts’ of peer transition

programs that have been underway for some time at two universities. James

Cook University first offered Kickstart in 1998 with an underlying philosophy

of allowing experienced student mentors to design, develop and facilitate a

short course that introduces first year students to the culture and environment

of university life. The University of Newcastle developed Uni-start in 2006

along the same lines, and both institutions have continued to evaluate and

refine their respective transition programs. Participants at this session will

hear how the two institutions have collaborated, how these types of programs

could be initiated in other universities and they will hear first-hand from some

of the student facilitators and participants in the programs. The session will

also briefly touch on the literature of peer involvement in the first year

transition process as well as discuss the challenges of institutional

implementation.