Supporting Student Transition and Early Engagement: An Online Induction Program

Abstract

Students face a range of serious challenges when adjusting to university life, particularly those students who are required to move away from home in order to pursue their studies. Through a study of a newly introduced online resident induction program, facilitated by Deakin Residential Services (DRS) at Deakin University, this paper draws attention to the important role such programs play in enhancing student awareness and understanding of key rules and behavioural guidelines, espousing integral community values, and effectively supporting the transition of residents to their new living learning environment. This paper further highlights the underlying principles transferable to other student residential communities or wider university settings.