Konjarski, Loretta ORCID: 0000-0003-2624-7493, Oraison, Humberto ORCID: 0000-0002-5997-6265, Weldon, John ORCID: 0000-0002-8103-0636 and Smallridge, Andrew ORCID: 0000-0001-6645-760X (2024) Students’ psycho-social perspectives on Victoria University’s (VU) First Year College® (FYC); a mixed method analysis. In: 2024 International Block and Intensive Learning and Teaching Association (IBILTA) Conference "University Built Better: The Block and Future of Higher Education", 24 Jul 2024 - 26 Jul 2024, Melbourne, Australia.

Abstract

The aim of this presentation is to detail the research undertaken to investigate the success of the First Year College® (FYC) in relation to students’ psycho-social indicators such as; sense of belonging, wellbeing and stress, connectedness to the University and College, academic and social capital. This research will be used to further enhance the strategic objectives of the FYC and in turn, improve the student experience. A battery of questionnaires included demographic. To address the Belonging domain, the ‘Sense of belonging’ used at Imperial College London Yorke (2016) was deployed. Furthermore, the study utilised the College Social-Emotional Crossroads Inventory (Garriott et al., 2020) and the College Self-efficacy instrument (Solberg et al., 1993). Students from all across all disciplines in their first year of study were asked to respond to questionnaires at the end of their first year. Additionally students were invited to participate in an interview (approx. 10 participants). The interviews contained a total of 5 open-ended questions pertaining to the student experiences and perceptions. Interviews were recorded, transcribed and thematically analysed (Clarke et al., 2015). Preliminary findings indicate students’ high level of confidence facing academic demands as well as satisfaction with academic staff and their connection to the FYC

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