Support for Students

^{Supporting Student Success - An Overview}

Flinders provides key communication activities, touchpoints and support interventions across the semester that help students navigate their requirements within a course, support their wellbeing and help them to succeed. 

Flinders takes a multifaceted approach to ensuring students have the right information, when they need it through the use of various communication channels and information dissemination strategies such as:

• Email
• SMS
• Social Media
• Specific weeks with highlighted activities and opportunities to engage (e.g. Wellbeing Week)
• Online information

This high-level overview outlines these activities within a semester, and especially noting the importance of census date - the last day on which a student can withdraw from topics without incurring student contribution amounts (Commonwealth supported student), tuition fees (fee-paying student) and student services and amenities fees. 

This high-level overview outlines key areas of support for students that will be communicated across the year along different communication channels.

In addition to the overall plan above, below is a high-level overview of communication and support for HDR students throughout their candidature

This high-level overview outlines the key referral processes for students to self-refer to support services, and also for University staff to refer students to support services. 

^{Changing lives and changing the world}
2020-2025 Flinders University Student Success and Retention Strategy

In October 2018, the Flinders Student Experience team consulted with students to answer the question “What does success mean to you?” The project resulted in over 900 responses, providing insight into how students defined their own success, as well as the barriers they encountered and the supports they needed to achieve success. 

The responses showed that at a broad level, Flinders students define success in five key ways:

1.       Academic Learning – getting a degree with a wealth of knowledge;

2.       Wellbeing/Belonging/Community – being happy, healthy, and socially fulfilled;

3.       Support Services – having access to services to foster success; 

4.       Career/Employment – graduating with hands on experience and with a job; and

5.       Facilities/Technology – studying in an environment that serves my needs.

‘Getting a degree and graduating with a wealth of knowledge, hands on experience and a job. Being happy, healthy and socially fulfilled while studying, with access to services to foster that success and studying in an inclusive environment that serves your needs.”

This feedback informed the development of a comprehensive and holistic Student Success strategy. Co-created with staff and students as collaborators and partners, the strategy was informed by Transition Pedagogy (Lift, 2015) and Lizzio’s (2006) five senses of student success.

_{Our Student Success Mission:}

To ensure that every Flinders student knows that they belong, that they can succeed, and are supported as they develop their capabilities to navigate a unique pathway to their own success.

This Mission is underpinned by our university culture which is Student Centred and where we value Integrity, Courage, Innovation, and Excellence.

_Objectives

Objective 1: Be a Student Centred Community

Objective 2: Develop Students Skills for Success

Objective 3: Inspire and Engage Students

Objective 4: Develop and Support Wellbeing

Objective 5: Provide a Responsive and Navigable Learning Environment Online and In-person