Pre-Arrival

The pre-arrival stage of the toolkit is designed to engage with the first-in-family learner prior to their attendance at university. This engagement should largely focus on demystifying the university environment, both for learners and their family members. Often this can be achieved in very simple ways such as:

• Being conscious of the language used in any communication
• Drawing correlations between university and other stages / transitions in life
• Strive for authenticity by using ‘real’ people and resources
• Define being ‘first-in-family’ as a cause for celebration in word, approach and action

This cohort generally appreciate proactive support

• use “Welcome Postcards” or similar to provide tips in the lead up to commencing uni, or
• a Welcome letter for students and families (download template here)

Examples can include dedicated peer support provided by either existing students or staff or create a website that is targeted at prospective or beginning first-in-family students.

• A good example of this is the I’m first website which is dedicated to providing advice to first-in-family students, and complemented by
• I’m First Blog site. The blog is operated by current first-in-family students who provide insights and advice to prospective students

Provide resources designed to ‘unpack’ the learning environment some examples include:

• An online dictionary of university terms (example here: http://www.firstinfamily.com.au/success-7.php)
• A live calculator that provides estimates of the costs involved in study at your particular institution (similar to a mortgage calculator)
• Provide a range of tips from existing students at your institution (again use student mentors or ambassadors and canvas their top tips for starting university, collate and make these available on the web – have a look at the ‘What I wished I had known’ link

Events or meetings that include the family of the learners (included in an inclusive way) – the foregrounding of family should be normalised in all events rather than as an afterthought. For example having a Family Hub at Open Days or issuing invites for other campus events for example market days etc.

We have developed a Family Quiz designed to include family members at these initial stages and also provide answers to some of the questions they may have.

Realistic assessments of the time required to undertake study. Example planners / timetables from other students works well – ask student mentors to provide their own planners, which will be authentic and most useful for the new students. These can be offered as a pdf downloads.