Fresher to Thriver (F2T): Transforming the First-Year Experience with Innovation and Belonging

The Fresher to Thriver (F2T) Programme, launched at JP/JEI Beijing and Queen Mary University of London in September 2024, is a pioneering initiative designed to support first-year students' transition to university life. Rooted in the "Building Belonging" collaborative project between QMUL, Advance HE, and 11 other UK universities, this programme emphasises a student-centred approach to enhance retention, attainment, and well-being. By fostering a sense of belonging, it aims to enrich the overall student experience through a variety of academic, co-curricular, and social activities.

Programme Structure and Activities

The F2T Programme integrates diverse components such as workshops, study support, and social networking events, delivered by a team of academic staff and senior student mentors. The programme blends staff-led and student-led sessions to create a supportive, inclusive, and engaging learning environment.

In Semester A of the 2024/25 academic year, six staff-led and two student-led workshops were conducted and offered to 678 first-year students across all four degree programmes, addressing key areas identified in a First-Year Transition Survey. Highlights include:

• International School Study Guidance: Introduced students to university planning and holistic development principles.
• Active Learning Workshops: Focused on neuroscience-based learning strategies, the DIKW model, and combating the "illusion of competence."
• Innovation and Entrepreneurship: Covered competition opportunities and shared experiences from outstanding students on project development.
• Logo Design Mentoring: Guided students in using creativity and Generative AI tools for logo design.
• GenAI for Learning Workshops: Hands-on sessions showcasing practical applications of Generative AI in time management, embedded system design, and interactive webpage development. These sessions emphasised critical thinking, problem-solving, and the cultivation of GenAI competencies to enhance technical skills and innovation.
• Peer Mentoring Sessions: Encouraged open dialogue between first-year students and senior mentors to address academic and personal challenges.

Programme Success and Impact

The F2T Programme has demonstrated significant success in enhancing the student transition experience. Feedback highlighted the programme’s ability to foster a strong sense of belonging, improve academic and personal development, and build community connections. Students found the workshops engaging, relevant, and highly supportive, with particular appreciation for the student-centred approach and the ‘learning by doing’ nature of workshops and activities. The programme’s innovative blend of academic guidance, creativity, and peer mentoring effectively addressed key challenges faced by first-year students, positioning the F2T initiative as a benchmark for impactful transition programmes in higher education.

The F2T Team

The success of the F2T Programme is a testament to the dedication and collaboration of its diverse team. Comprising academic staff from both JP/JEI Beijing and QMUL, along with experienced senior student mentors, the team brought a wealth of expertise and enthusiasm to the programme. Academic staff designed and delivered workshops with a focus on practical, research-informed strategies, while student mentors provided invaluable peer guidance, creating a relatable and approachable support network for first-year students. This dynamic partnership ensured that the programme was not only professionally structured but also deeply connected to the real experiences and needs of students.