The first year experience – challenges, successes and support for educators

There is growing interest and momentum from faculty to explore how they can better support first year students. Students’ first year experience (FYE) at university is crucial to the foundations of their academic studies, and key to student success, engagement, retention, and wellbeing. Athough many institutions offer transitional programs and support, there may be a lack of support and sharing among first year educators. Knowledge and sharing is the key to inform one’s teaching practice, thereby further benefiting both learners and educators. Using the model of the “First Year Experience (FYE) Science Education Symposium” (https://science.ubc.ca/faculty/fyx) at the University of British Columbia, this workshop will address the challenges and successes among first year educators. Highlighting themes of academic tenacity, growth mindset and innovative pedagogies, we will discuss ways of enhancing capacity among faculty that are focused on the first year student experience- both in formal and informal learning environments. In this interactive workshop, we will use breakout groups and large group discussions to identify and discuss these challenges and successes