From 20 to 31 July, Flinders will welcome commencing students across Bedford Park, City Campus, Sturt, Tonsley and online. Across the two weeks, students will be introduced to their college, meet their course peers, academics and professional staff, explore their campus, and have the opportunity to participate in social, support services, learning and wellbeing activities, designed to prepare them for their first weeks at university.
Orientation is much more than helping students find their classrooms. It is the beginning of students’ transition into university life. Research shows that a positive Orientation experience can reduce anxiety, foster a sense of belonging, and help students build the peer and academic support networks that underpin success (Gill et al., 2011). By providing students with the right information at the right time, together with opportunities to connect with staff and other students, Orientation helps students feel confident, capable and ready for Week 1.
Every staff member plays an important role in creating a welcoming first impression. Whether you’re presenting, teaching, answering a question, or simply saying hello around campus, your interactions can make a meaningful difference to a student’s confidence and sense of belonging. If you see a new student looking a little lost, take a moment to say hello, offer directions, or encourage them to get involved in Orientation activities.
Bedford Park and City Campus will have a Welcome Hub open daily as a central point for information and support. For the program of events, please use the link to the Orientation Planner. Please note, the planner is personalised to students using their course codes and as such you will not see the course or College Welcome sessions. But you will see all other sessions and resources.
If you are presenting to or engaging with students, please take the time to review the program, identify events that may be suitable for your students that may happen after your session, and promote them where relevant.