UStart@UOW and UStart2@UOW: A comprehensive approach to supporting commencing students from low socio-economic backgrounds

Sarah O'Shea, University of Wollongong
Pauline Lysaght, University of Wollongong
Yvonne Kerr, University of Wollongong

Article comments

S. O'Shea, P. Lysaght & Y. Kerr (2011). UStart@UOW and UStart2@UOW: A comprehensive approach to supporting commencing students from low socio-economic backgrounds. Freemantle, 30 June.

Abstract

Students from low socio-economic backgrounds as well as those who are the first in family to attend university often report feeling that they don’t ‘belong’ at university (James, Krause & Jennings, 2010; O’Shea, 2008). The isolation they sometimes experience may be exacerbated when families are unable to provide personal support through a basic lack of knowledge and understanding of university life. This nuts and bolts session explores two initiatives introduced at the University of Wollongong to support commencing students from low socio-economic backgrounds and to provide information for their families. The session will provide details about how this framework was employed and also report on preliminary findings from a study that runs in conjunction with this initiative. Opportunities for discussing how this approach translates to other contexts as well as feedback on strategies used in other institutions will also be provided.