Students helped with transition to university

Posted 12 September 2013

Dozens of youngsters starting at Harper Adams University later this month have taken part in a two-day course aimed at helping them make the transition into higher education.

The Transition to Harper Adams University Conference took place at the university on Tuesday and Wednesday.

The event, which was held for the first time last year, is aimed at those with vocational backgrounds, such as BTEC Diplomas, or those who have been out of education for a while.

Fifty students due to start BSc and Foundation degrees from across the UK took part in the latest course, which included a range of activities from team building tasks, such as bridge construction, to report writing and academic presentations.

Participants also got a taste of what it is like to live at Harper Adams, got to meet fellow students and were given the opportunity to ask any burning questions.

Academic Guidance and Development Tutor, Val Scarlett, said: “It’s the second time we have run this course. We do it to give the students a flying start because Diploma courses don’t require academic writing in the same way A-levels do and we want to make sure they are as fully prepared as other students are for tackling their degrees.

“We also do it so that they can get a feel for the place and get over first day nerves, feel confident and make friends.”