Friendship supported learning – the role of friendships in first-year students’ university experiences

Catherine Picton; Ella R Kahu; Karen J Nelson

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Friendship supported learning – the role of friendships in first-year students’ university experiences

Conference paper

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Friendship supported learning – the role of friendships in first-year students’ university experiences

Catherine Picton, Ella R Kahu and Karen J Nelson

2017 Student Transitions Achievement Retention and Success Handbook and Proceedings

Students, Transitions, Achievement, Retention & Success (STARS) Conference, 2017 (Adelaide, Australia, 02-Jul-2017–05-Jul-2017)

STARS

2017

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Abstract

Specialist Studies in Education

The student experience at university is impacted by student and institutional factors that combine to influence student wellbeing and engagement. This paper contributes to existing literature on student engagement by exploring friendships that are formed with other students. The qualitative study followed students at an Australian regional university throughout their first year of study. Drawing on Kahu and Nelson's framework of student engagement, this paper reports findings on the influence of friendships on students' psychosocial experiences, and on learning engagement outcomes. Findings indicated that students establish friendships with people with common interests, increasing a sense of belonging. Friendships also improve student wellbeing through increasing comfort in attending class, reducing stress, and providing opportunities to relax. Through initiating student supported learning opportunities, friendships also lead to opportunities for students to deepen their engagement: enhance student interest, develop positive learning behaviours, and increase cognitive understanding.

Details

Title: Friendship supported learning – the role of friendships in first-year students’ university experiences
Authors: Catherine Picton (Author) - University of the Sunshine Coast
Ella R Kahu (Author) - University of the Sunshine Coast
Karen J Nelson (Author) - University of the Sunshine Coast
Publication details: 2017 Student Transitions Achievement Retention and Success Handbook and Proceedings; 10
Conference details: Students, Transitions, Achievement, Retention & Success (STARS) Conference, 2017 (Adelaide, Australia, 02-Jul-2017–05-Jul-2017)
Publisher: STARS
Date published: 2017
Organisation Unit: School of Social Sciences - Legacy; University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland; Student Services and Engagement; Office of the Pro Vice-Chancellor (Students)
Language: English
Record Identifier: 99450777002621
Output Type: Conference paper

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