Developing an effective orientation programme for families and friends

The transition from high school to university is a challenging one, with many students struggling to find their feet in their new environment. Often, they are leaving their support network for the first time and are unsure of how to access the support and resources they need to thrive. This time is often a transition for their friends and family as well, as they may not be able to guide their family member/friend as easily as they used to. 

Family and friends are fundamental to a student’s academic and emotional well-being. Having a strong, informed support system helps to ensure that students can excel academically and adjust better to university life. Students who receive emotional and practical support from their support networks are better equipped to navigate the new administrative and academic challenges they will face. Recognising this, universities can significantly enhance student success by intentionally incorporating family and friends into the orientation process.

Dalhousie University’s revamped family and friends programme

In previous years, Dalhousie hosted a day-long conference for family and friends that offered workshops and socialising time held during move-in. The goals of the event were to equip supporters with information about Dalhousie campus life and resources and contacts that can help students thrive. However, engagement was low and the event itself was resource-intensive to organise. Taking the key points from that day, the student experience team launched the “Family and Friends Coffee Break” series in 2023. 

Held over the first two days of move-in, family and friends were invited to an afternoon drop-in coffee break with key resource tables and senior university administration present to mingle and answer questions. Moving to this model allowed participants to stop in when it was convenient for them, ask questions about resources they were interested in and benefit from personal welcomes from Dalhousie staff members. 

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New this year, Dalhousie is offering a “First in Family” welcome session specifically designed for family and friends of first-generation students, who face distinct challenges when it comes to navigating university life, often encountering unfamiliar academic expectations and social environments. Unlike their peers, they may find it more difficult to turn to family or close friends for guidance, as their support networks might lack the experience to offer relevant advice. This can make the transition to university more daunting, requiring them to develop their own strategies for success and seek out institutional resources more proactively. The session will directly follow one of the coffee breaks, and be held both in person and virtually. There will be a presentation about common academic and financial topics that come up in the first year and a Q&A period for mingling. 

Designing a friends and family orientation programme

When creating a programme for friends and family, it is important to keep their needs in mind and allow time for questions. An effective orientation programme for this group should cover a range of topics that address their specific needs and concerns. They include:

• Campus resources: information about academic support services, health and wellness resources and extracurricular activities
• Academic expectations: insights into your university’s academic standards, advising systems and available services
• Mental health services: information about mental health resources and strategies to support students’ well-being
• Finances and scholarships: payment methods, schedules and information on scholarships.

There are several things to keep in mind to ensure the success of friends and family programmes:

• Flexibility: allow for flexibility to maximise the number of attendees. Offer online sessions for families who cannot travel to campus, ensuring they have access to the same information and resources
• Timing: consider where friends and family programming fits in with orientation programming. Coordinate the timing of your offerings with students’ orientation activities to maximise participation and minimise conflicts 
• Communication: establish clear and consistent communication channels to keep families informed. This can include email newsletters, social media updates and dedicated web pages.

Measuring success

Assessing the effectiveness of your family and friends orientation programme will be the key to ensuring it is having the intended impact. Feedback mechanisms, such as a first-year experience survey and tracking key metrics such as attendance, can provide valuable insights into participants’ experiences and areas for enhancement. 

Incorporating family and friends into the higher education experience through a well-designed orientation programme can significantly enhance student success and well-being. By addressing their specific needs and concerns, providing comprehensive information and fostering a sense of community, universities can help friends and family to guide students through the transition to higher education.

Kareina Cadel is a student development and programming manager at Dalhousie University.

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