Supporting non-school leaver students in their first year of university study: Results of a transition focused peer-to-peer intensive mentoring program trial

This paper discusses the results of a trialled intensive mentoring program designed to address retention issues with first year students in Justice Degrees. The purpose of the program was to reduce student attrition, specifically for non-school leaver Justice students (Kift, 2009b; Kift, Nelson, & Clarke, 2010a), by creating a culture of student cooperation and support. The program drew on peer mentoring models demonstrated in existing research that support non-school leaver students and seek to address attrition (Drew, Pike, Pooley, Young, & Breen, 2000). In line with previous successful programs, first year non-school leaver Justice students were matched with and supported by, students who had progressed at least to second year in their degree and had achieved a grade point average of at least five (O’Brien, Llamas, & Stevens, 2012). This paper discusses the effectiveness of the program for both the mentors and mentees, along with whether the program assisted non-school leaver student’s transition into university. It concludes with recommendations on how the program can be improved in the future to further support non-school leaver students