From Challenges to Principles for Supporting Transitions

Think: Imagine a very successful transition. What are the things that made it work well? What prevented from going awry?

Share: We will share our ideas for what supports a successful transition. Members of the group will be encouraged to link ideas to the research base.

Synthesize: Based on collective knowledge we will create a list of principles for supporting transitions.

Ideas

• experience that allows time to reflect and prepare (for both the student and for the receiving cohort/program)
• understanding what is happening in transition
• comfort asking questions
• knowing what to expect (bringing onto campus, into research group, internship, REU,
• advance visit (informational interviews, campus visit, accepted students visit, selection interview)
• space
• people
• norms
• expectations
• roles responsibilities
• experience at the next level (internship, REU, bridge program, summer research project)
• preparation at the current level (experiences in classes that prepares them)
• near-peer mentor
• mentor who is mindful and aware and can guide while not knowing to expect
• mentor who helps me understand what I bring to the situation
• given responsibility that gave successful experience in new situtation
• treated as if belonged (given responsibility,)
• quick transition to feeling that contributing
• understanding expectations for academics and for behavior (show up on time, keep notebook, use title) -- norming experience
• know people
• know where to find resources (campus tutoring)
• personal support on both sides of transition (personal capital)
• preparation before you move to the next level
• problem solving experience
• needed knowledge and skills
• quantitative reasoning
• project experience
• independent - learning and in life
• confidence seeking help and knowing when to get help
• social capital - receiving end is expecting good performance
• stability in other parts of your life - or support for all the different things that are changing
• organization culture of receiving institution that is welcoming, values studens as they are, aware of the full nature of the transtion and prepared to support its challenges
• organization is invested in making the transistion successful
• acknowledging that their is discomfort and trying to support through this discomfort

Principles

• Provide information and experiences to know what to expect
• make sure that this information is getting to full spectrum of students
• Making resources clear and accessible
• build strong connections to supporting offices
• resources that are specific to where they want to go, and accurate
• Developing a supporting culture that is reaching out to help
• Prepare your students for their next transition
• experiences
• skills
• enriching personal networks so don't arrive alone (near peer strategies, alumni networks, cohorts)
• norms
• Provide robust (well trained, well designed) mentoring
• faculty and peer
• Build robust connections between institutions when possible
• Research and understand the roadblocks and address them (e.g. timing, financial resources, accessibility)
• Evaluate your transition programs to understand successes
• Provide opportunities for and recognize early success and capitalize on these to build confidence
• Structure the development of a sense of belonging and cultural capital

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