Posted on Oct. 1: Lesson one: University survival

How to make a successful transition from high school to university is lesson one for the more than 1,000 first-year science students registered at McMaster this fall.

After a successful pilot run last year, students are participating in an updated version of University Survival, an online course that introduces them to the various student services and resources on campus. The course assists students in developing a basic understanding of academic integrity, using the libraries, time management, stress management, career services, and the importance of getting to know professors. There is evidence that the lack of university survival skills has a negative impact on academic performance.

“In the past we often did not realize students were struggling academically until after midterms ” says Cathy Mackenzie, student advisor and University Survival's administrator. “By educating students about the resources available to them, those students who do develop difficulties will have the necessary tools to get the help they need.”

The course was developed last year by Vicky Singmin, Laila Bastedo, course management systems administrator with Learning Technologies Resource Centre, and McMaster student Korosh Kianizad. They designed the course using Web CT, a web-based program that is commonly used to manage large or distance education classes.

The course consists of a series of eight modules, each with a different theme that requires students to access Web-based material and answer questions. Most modules take about 30 to 40 minutes to complete, and almost all of them are graded by the computer when each session is complete. The course appears on transcripts with a status as complete or N.C. (no credit).

First-year students had access to the course prior to leaving for University this fall, but it's expected they'll work on the modules throughout the first half of the term. Unlike last year's course – which provided access to one module per week for eight weeks – students this year may complete all eight at the same time, before class assignment and reading schedules become too hectic. Approximately 65 per cent of the class has already accessed the course.

“This course wasn't designed for the double cohort but it's certainly a bonus that it's there for such a large first-year class,” says Mackenzie. “We've been getting a lot of positive feedback.” She plans to collect student feedback from a survey in December to determine if further revisions should be made for next year's level 1 students.

So far University Survival exists only for students registered in Science 1 and Math and Statistics 1, but Mackenzie says other faculties and other universities have expressed interest in adapting a similar version for their own students.