CSU Pathway Courses during COVID-19: A multi-faceted support strategy for online engagement.

In March 2020, Charles Sturt University (CSU) launched two new pathway courses: the Diploma of General Studies (DGS) and the CSU Pathway course. These courses are offered at five regional campuses, along with an online offering. This particular cohort of students lack the skills and confidence necessary to engage withuniversity-level study. With the advent of COVID-19, the challenge was to transition the five on-campus cohorts to a fully online mode of delivery within a few weeks. This task was further complicated as a number of teaching staff on the program were new to CSU, with little to no experience teaching explicitly online.This paper showcases the student-centric strategies adopted to transition on-campus students to online delivery. A summary will also be provided of the successes of this approach (to date), particularly in terms of retention and progression, along with the lessons learnt as part of the process.

Comparing online cognitive behavioural therapy versus online positive psychotherapy, well-being theory (PERMA)on test anxiety of online learning students: A randomised control study.

This study aims to compare the efficacy of test anxiety interventions using internet-based Cognitive Behavioural Therapy and internet-based positive psychotherapy (PERMA model). Changes in test anxiety responses were evaluated in 48 online postgraduate students who met diagnostic criteria based on DSM-5 and were randomly assigned to three treatment groups: internet-based Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (n=16), internet-based positive psychotherapy (n=16) and a control group (n=16) over three phases: pre-test, post-test and follow-up. Assessments included a self-report questionnaire and a diagnostic interview. An 18-item self-report of the Online Test Anxiety Inventory(OTAI) was used with a high internal consistency (α=0.91) to assess test anxiety of online learning students. The OTAI consists of three factors: online, psychological, and physiological. The analysis of test anxiety by repeated measure ANOVA revealed a significant decrease of anxiety in both treatment groups while no significant change was observed in the control group. The study supports using internet-based psychological interventions for the treatment of test anxiety, which is particularly significant during the COVID-19 restricted teaching environment.

Perceptions of students’ counselling experience with intern counsellors within a tertiary education setting: A thematic analysis.

Mental health decline and psychological distress is rising among tertiary students’ worldwide andis now recognised internationally as an important public health issue.There is a growing demand for campus-based counselling services as evidence suggests that providing on-campus counselling support can significantly support student mental health and wellbeing. In addition, there is a symbiotic demand for counselling students to have the opportunity to integrate their skills through practice with clients. With the increasing demand for universities and tertiary institutes to provide counselling support, the use of graduate level trainees to deliver counselling services could provide an innovative and effective model to cope with high demand in a cost-efficient way. This qualitative research explores the perceptions of students who have sought counselling, delivered by trainee counsellors within a tertiary education setting. A thematic analysis was used to interpret the data from anonymous, semi-structured survey questions. Three predominate themes were identified; 1) positive experiences of counselling were connected directly to the relationship and positive regard that the counsellor fostered; 2) the counselling process supported the clients’ autonomy, self-determination and resilience and 3) despite nervousness, clients were surprised by the perceived positive benefits of counselling. A fourth theme identified that a minority of clients need a more experienced therapist to support their needs. This study demonstrated that counselling services delivered by trainee counsellors was perceived as helpful by the majority of students and has implications for improving practice and service availability through the use of trainees within university counselling services.

Exploring the challenges and opportunities for improving the health and wellbeing of international students: Perspectives of professional staff at an Australian University.

There are growing concerns about the mental health of university students, with particular concerns for international students studying in countries with different language and culture from the country of origin. We sought to explore the challenges and opportunities for supporting and improving the health and wellbeing of international students through interviews with health and other support services staff at an Australian University. Semi-structured interviews with a range of health and support services staff were conducted in person or by telephone in late 2018. Staff were asked about their perceptions of 1) health and wellbeing issues for international students, 2) barriers to international students accessing campus-based services for health and wellbeing concerns, and 3) strategies to improve international students’ health and wellbeing. Transcribed interviews were analysed thematically. Mental health/illness was identified as the most important health and wellbeing concern for international students. Barriers to help-seeking included fear of repercussions for coming forward, lack of problem and symptom recognition, poor understanding of health information, cultural stigma associated with counselling and language barriers. A tendency among international students to delay help-seeking until problems reached crisis-point was also identified as a concern. Suggested strategies to improve wellbeing included pre-departure education/orientation to life in Australia, the integration of health and wellbeing education with other university programs, education about confidentiality, better supporting students in how to access services, and skill building to promote social connection. Addressing the identified issues and opportunities would support international student health and wellbeing and may assist in attracting international students back to Australia post-COVID.

RMIT together: An integrated mental health promotion campaign designed to build wellbeing and connection during the COVID-19 pandemic.

With the unfolding COVID-19 pandemic, physical distancing requirements and new psychosocial risks, the RMIT Wellbeing team andleaders in the community focussedon responding to the changing needs of students and staff. Communication of reliable, timely and evidence-based information through the lens of mental health and wellbeing was a top priority. The ‘RMIT Together’ campaign was designed to bring the whole community together, creating new online groups to foster peer connection and coping skills development. This case study demonstrates the various functions and wellbeing benefits that mental health and wellbeing promotion, prevention and education can play during periods of unforeseen life-changing global stress. It also demonstrates the sustainability of such interventions to build community resilience and mental wellbeing.

Exploring the challenges and opportunities for improving the health and wellbeing of international students: Perspectives of international students.

This study sought to explore the challenges and opportunities for improving the health and wellbeing of international students through in-depth interviews with 21 international students at an Australian University. Interviews explored 1) conceptualisation of health and wellbeing, 2) perceptionsof the most significant health and wellbeing issues for international students, and 3) the barriers to international students accessing campus-based services for health and wellbeing concerns. Almost all international students viewed health and wellbeing as a state encompassing both physical and mental/emotional health. Key challenges included mental health, lack of social support, academic stressors, financial pressures, and accommodation concerns. Barriers to accessing university support services included cultural stigma, language barriers, waiting periods to access services, and not knowing how or where to access support within the university. The implications of these findings and suggested strategies for improving the health and wellbeing of international students are discussed.

Surviving and thriving at a UK university through a minority lens.

Higher education institutions around the globe are focussedon creating inclusive environments for all students. Initiatives are being crafted to assist marginalised students to obtain better outcomes in key metrics such as enrolment rates, retention rates, graduation rates, and resultant employability statistics. This article presents findings from a quantitative study conducted at a large research university in the United Kingdom that examined factors that impacted the persistence and engagement levels ofBlack and Minority Ethnic students. The study examined such factors as resilience, challenges, persistence, decision-making, student support, communications and feelings of belonging.Significant differences were found among Black, Asian, White and Other minority groups on multiple factors contributing to persistence and engagement. Recommendations for practice change in university operations, specifically Student Affairs and Academic Affairs, are offered.

Whatever it takes: Maintaining student engagement and wellbeing in unprecedented times.

When COVID-19 impacted Australia earlier this year, student accommodation providers found themselves in the most challenging operating environment imaginable. Deakin Residential Services (DRS) rapidly adapted to the continually changing landscape, taking a ‘whatever it takes’ approach to supporting students across all four of Deakin University’s campuses. Adopting a focus on ensuring members of our community were supported, engaged and informed, DRS instigated ongoing one on one welfare checks with every resident, and introduced a new wellbeing model tailored to support students through life ‘out of the ordinary;’ facilitated a comprehensive suite of virtual programs to foster community and responsibly engage students in a COVID-safe manner, and leveraged technology to keep students informed, manage expectations, and demonstrably ensure understanding, compliance and active support for key safety messages. This paper will share further details regarding this three-part strategy, exploring aspects which have been found to be silver-linings and likely to remain part of our operation post-pandemic, along with discussing some of the challenges and opportunities which have arisen throughout 2020. The authors will highlight key elements which are transferable, not only to other student accommodation providers, but also to those supporting the broader student experience within higher education.

The “Wellbeing Check-In” Service Establishing, Developing and Tailoring a New Program to offer a Student-centred Response to COVID-19

The Wellbeing Check-In service was developed as a tailored service to support the wellbeing of our students during the COVID-19 pandemic. Knowing that our students would require additional forms of support during the unprecedented times ahead, we carefully designed the service to be aligned with the new online access requirements. The original premise of the service was for students to “request a call” from the team, in order to provide bespoke, student-centred support for each student’s situation. The service saw an immediate and unexpected uptake from both the students themselves and through referrals from a wide range university areas and staff, that has continued through the fourmonths that the Wellbeing Check-In service has been operational. While the COVID-19 pandemic continues, we anticipate that the demand for this service and its style of support will only increase.

Supporting Mature Aged Students to Develop Group Work Skills: A Review of a 2-Year Study of Students’ Experience of Group Work within their Pre-Nursing Program

The University of Newcastle offers a tertiary preparation program that enables mature aged students to gain access to higher education. One of the largest intakes is into the pre-nursing program. This paper will share the findings of a 2-year study of tertiary preparation students undertaking group work within their pre-nursing program. For many mature-aged students returning to study, it requires the development and transition of their identity from that of an adult role to that of a student role. The aim of this study was to examine how group work can help support mature aged students in their transition to a student identity. The premise was to enable students to develop skills for success in their undergraduatenursing studies, whilst fostering social connection and a sense of belonging in the university. We identified an essential aspect of nursing as being able to work collaboratively with other nurses and within allied health teams. Keeping this in mind, we developed and delivered an approach that introduced group work in Week 3 of the students' program to enable them to effectively integrate curricula and co-curricular learning experiences. Using an online assessment tool called SPARK, students were each asked to self-reflect upon their individual role and their role within the group according to specific criteria that promoted positive group work behaviours and fostered social connection. It was hoped that by providing students with resources and evaluation tools they would develop group work and self-reflection skills to succeed in their studies and future profession.