Ten pin dialogue

Abstract

With the return to face to face teaching many students have entered a space full of strangers (in the physical sense). Struggling with the transition into Higher Education can be a challenge for freshers as they leave their safe and familiar environments behind. Emerging from periods of lockdown has presented additional challenges with many experiencing loss of confidence and anxiety as they find themselves overwhelmed by lecture theatres of 300+ students. Lack of connection undoubtedly leads to attendance issues and the cycle becomes hard break. The phenomenon is not exclusive to Level 4, returning Level 5 students are also strangers to physical attendance and display many of the behaviour patterns typically associated with freshers. In a highly visual session we will share our observations on how an event off-site provided a space to help a large cohort connect with a student providing their own perspective on the experience.