Studying at Southampton? Our buddies will be there to help
First year engineering students joining the University of Southampton this autumn will get a helping hand from a friendly team of experienced undergraduates, keen to help them make the most of their time at university.
The ‘transition buddies’ meet with freshers to share their experiences, answer questions and sort out any problems, complementing the work of lecturers who provide academic support.
Audiology student Hayley Billington was a buddy in 2012 and enjoyed supporting the freshers: “Students always find it easier to ask a transition buddy about the more social aspects of University life than their personal tutor or lecturer,” she explains. “And, as all of us buddies have been through it all ourselves, we can give our honest views and share our experiences on anything from living in halls to the best nights out in Southampton.”
She met her group once a fortnight to find out how they were getting on and encouraged them to find out about the various Student Union societies where they could try out new sports and activities and meet new people.
Second year ship scientist and buddy Lester Talbot kept in touch with some of his students for some months. “For some, the transition from their previous working environment to that of university was a bit of a shock as it was not quite what they were expecting. However, the social events did a lot to help them settle in and feel more comfortable with the other students on their course,” he says.
“Coming to university is exciting but we think first years appreciate getting a little extra help when they arrive,” says Manuela Bung who co-ordinates the transition buddy scheme in Engineering. “Our students enjoy meeting the newcomers and passing on their knowledge.”