Induction Week Expectations
Susan Poole, Office of the Dean of Students
June 2013
Induction Week Experiences
The experiences of 13 prospective 1st year students, and 7 current 1st year students
were used to form the basis of this report.
The aim was to ascertain, on a small scale, the expectations of the students during
Induction Week in the Semester A, and to see what they would like to happen to
make them feel part of the University community. Existing students were also
interviewed to gain their perspective.
The data was gathered by a combination of telephone interviews and email surveys.
Whilst there were structured questions, the telephone interviews had flexibility to
encourage wider thoughts on Induction Week. The participants were from a variety
of courses.
All of the prospective first year students said they felt pressured to achieve at UH,
they stated that this was directly related to the cost of university. There was a
genuine concern that they must work even harder than previously students because
it is a great deal of money to waste. They were also approaching it from a customer /
business angle and they expected to receive a great deal of access to their tutors.
“We are paying so much more, I expect to see my tutor a lot.”
Prospective First Year Students
1. What do you expect to happen in the first week, at induction sessions?
This question was explained to not include the UHSU activities, but from an
academic standpoint.
The answers were all similar:
 Detail on course and modules, particularly optional modules
 Ground rules for behaviour
 Insight into the year ahead and beyond
 Meet all lecturers and tutors
 Get to know coursemates
 Outline of opportunities available at UH to develop outside the course
 Opportunity to speak to 2nd year students
 Resources required
 Get a mentor to help settle in
A follow-up question was asked about specific events that their academic school
would provide, and there were no expectations beyond those mentioned above.
2. Do you think attendance is compulsory at events during induction week?
10
9
8
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1
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Yes
No
No. of students
“Yes, our tuition fee is paying, I pity those who don’t take advantage of everything
they are offered.”
“No, not all, but you should make it compulsory yourself.”
3. Do you think the University should hold events to make you feel part of the
overall community?
The prospective students were asked about the expectations they had regarding
anything the University might arrange for Induction Week, separate from the
academic school.
10
9
8
7
6
5
4
3
2
1
0
Yes
No
No. of students
The majority wanted the University to organise talks events that would be relevant
to them as new students. Those that wanted the centrally organised events were not
sure what they would be, but thought them important feel as though they belonged
to a whole university, not just their course.
“Make us feel part of the community.”
“It would help me to be on top of the game, there is so much competition in uni.”
“It would really help me as I am shy and it would make me meet people.”
“No, because they are all doing different courses.”
Those that did not want to have central induction events thought there would be
enough arranged by their course.
“The student union would cover that sort of thing.”
“No, that wouldn’t interest me.”
4. Would you attend a world record attempt?
Last year’s world record attempt was explained, and the students were the asked
about that as a general activity.
12
10
8
6
4
2
0
Yes
No
No. of students
It was generally seen as an exciting idea, and a good chance to meet completely
random people.
“Yes, it would be a great start to the year and gives a really positive atmosphere”
“Definitely yes, it is bizarre and crazy”
5. Would you like to make a start on your studies in the very first week?
8
7
6
5
4
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2
1
0
Yes
No
No. of students
The thoughts on this question were split. Some students were too concerned that
their partying might affect their ability to study in the first week, and others wanted
to make a start straight away, even if only on basic study skills for university life.
“I like to feel ‘ahead’ with my studies and give me a more confident approach”
“No, there is too much going on”
6. On a scale of 1 – 10, how excited are you about coming to UH?
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4
3
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1
2
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5
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7
8
9
10
No. of students
The prospective students were very excited about coming to the University of
Hertfordshire. Several were worried that their results might not be enough to get in.
“10 - because I think UH will open loads of doors for me and allow me to reach my
full potential.”
7. On a scale of 1 – 10, how nervous are you about coming to UH?
5
4
3
2
1
0
1
2
3
4
5
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8
9
10
No. of students
The youngest students that were interviewed were the most nervous, with the
mature students being less anxious. The common themes generating nerves were
the idea of living and studying independently, and not finding friends.
“3 - I look forward to the independence that comes with university life and studying
a course which interests me, therefore in that respect, I am not nervous. I attended
two open days and was recognised on the second by some of the tutors which made
me feel more welcome”
“ 9 - because I might not like my group and won’t be able to make friends”
“10 - Because I feel like when I start going there, I will have to step up my game and
perform even better and work harder in order to do well”
8. Do you think the University could help you become more excited before you
come along?
8
7
6
5
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2
1
0
Yes
No
No. of students
A majority of prospective students would like to be able to hear from existing
students, particularly those from their course, prior to attending. Not necessarily a
conversation, but general emails explaining what it is like to be at the University of
Hertfordshire.
“I am sure they could, but the fact that I hear from them at least once a month and
received that letter with the video, amazed me.”
“Yes, I would like to hear about things like a typical day.”
“No, I think an element of surprise is always good before you start your university
life.”
“No, I fell in love with UH at the open day.”
9. If we were to hold an open day after your exam results, would you come along?
9
8
7
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5
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1
0
Yes
No
No. of students
There were a few who did not welcome this idea, with the focus being on reducing
nerves, getting book lists, making friends and finding out how it all works.
“It would be a chance to make friends and so I’m not then worried that I will be
friendless.”
“Yes, it would be informative.”
“Yes, because I went to an applicant day at Middlesex and it was much more
beneficial, with examples of lectures and meeting current students.”
“Yes, to follow on from the excitement of the results.”
“No, I can wait a few more weeks until I can meet people.”
10. Do you think you might try and find other people on social networking sites,
who are also coming to the University?
6
5
4
3
2
1
0
Yes
No
Maybe
No. of students
A mixed response was received to this question, with a split between those who
wanted to engage with future prospective students and those who would rather not
until they arrive on campus.
“Yes, I have already swapped details with a student from the open day.”
“Maybe by using hashtags.”
“I was able to already make some friends through the UH Ahlulbayt society I found
on Twitter.”
“No, I am fine with meeting all the fellow students on the day of arrival”
“I already know people who are coming which is enough for now”
Existing 1st year students
1. What were your expectations of the induction programme for your School?
This question was also explained to not include UHSU activities. The answers were
similar to those of prospective students.
 Clear understanding of the course
 Expectations of the student
 Introduction to all relevant lecturers
 Get to know coursemates
 Hear from existing students
2. Were those expectations met?
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4
3
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1
0
Yes
No
No. of students
Overall expectations were met, with some disappointment around organisation and
lack of information in the first week about module options. Registration was a
common frustration, in one example, the registration was not scheduled until the
second week, which prevented the student accessing a range of activities.
“In fact, it was so straightforward that everything was clear and the rest felt a bit like
a waste of time.”
“Not really, they were met eventually but only towards the end of Semester A.”
“No, no timetable was given and I didn’t find out what modules I would be doing.”
3. What might you have expected to happen that didn’t?
This included some basic items such as information about topics and modules,
grading. There was a split between those who wanted to have a lot more
information about the whole course, and those who didn’t want to think about
future years.
“I was lucky to have friends who have already gone through uni, and so I understood
the way it [studying] works, but not all my coursemates had this advantage.”
“Having information about the entire course, not just the first year.”
“Nothing really, in fact it was a bit too well covered, with speakers just repeating
themselves.”
“Sharing from senior students.”
“A proper training on how to use Studynet.”
4. What would you have liked to have happened that didn’t?
This question was a different angle on question 3, about the things that would have
been nice to have, but not necessarily expected. But there were few comments.
“I would have liked fewer get-to-know-each-other chats and more focus on the
objectives of the classes.”
“An induction that was not generic for all joint honours students, a lot wasn’t
relevant.”
“A start in lectures.”
5. Did you take part in any central induction events, such as the VC’s talk?
5
4
3
2
1
0
Yes
No
No. of students
Only one student was unaware of such events, and the impact on those that were
aware or attended, was not substantial.
“Yes, the combined induction held in the auditorium at De Hav.”
“I did, the first few ones (Can’t really remember all of them, but I was definitely
there at the VC’s talk!).”
“Yes, I went to a business meeting, but I can’t remember what it was for though.”
6. Did you know about the world record attempt?
7
6
5
4
3
2
1
0
Yes
No
No. of students
Awareness was high regarding this event, and was seen as great fun and a good start
to the year. A few reported that they were unaware if they had succeeded or not, but
that didn’t detract from the event. It generated a community feeling and a sense of
belonging.
“I didn’t go, but only because I had to attend induction.”
“Yes, because it seemed like a fun thing to be part of.”
“Yes, great fun, even if you did have to hold sweaty hands with random people!.”
7. Did you attend all of your induction events?
7
6
5
4
3
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1
0
Yes
No
No. of students
There is a noted difference between the approach to induction events from those
prospective students, to those who have gone through the process. The prospective
students were strongly of the opinion that they would attend all of the events, yet
those who have been through induction week did not attend everything on their
timetable.
Did attendance feel compulsory?
“They felt important, but not compulsory.”
“After the first few, I realised they were not that helpful.”
“Yes, but I still didn’t go, they weren’t all appealing.”
“Yes, but it didn’t make me go.”
8. Was the induction week too short or too long?
There was no definitive answer to this, with opinions being split across too short, too
long and just right.
“Too long, as the first proper week felt like inductions too.”
“Just nice.”
“It would have been fine if they included the information we needed.”
9. Would you have preferred to get straight into your studies?
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6
5
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1
0
Yes
No
No. of students
Again a distinct difference of opinion compared to prospective students. This was
after reflection of the experience compared to an idea of what might happen.
“No, induction was a good way to ease us into the thick of it, and I would have been
really lost without it”.
“No, but it could have been done in a couple of days.”
“Yes, my module inductions in the second week were more use than the whole of
the first week.”
10. Comments in relation to International Induction Week.
A common theme from the international students was about wanting to make
friends at the beginning of the year. No other comments were received, even though
the question was discussed in respect to the whole week.
“It was nice, but I felt it was more important to spend more time with local
students.”
“More events to help international students mingle and make friends.”
“It could be better by allowing more bonding with local students.”
“Could have done things that make people talk to each other.”
11. If you are in halls, how is the wifi?
A follow up question from the ‘Meeting People and Making Friends’ report about
poor wifi stability.
“It was great.”
“The wifi is alright, but could be more stable.”
“It’s still on and off, and incredibly frustrating to be Skyping someone and having it
shut down on me halfway.”
“The speed is totally acceptable, but the reliability is not the best. Also, having to log
in every single time is inconvenient.”
“Speed is very fast when it is working, but generally unreliable.”