For many students, the transition to university is an exciting phase full of new impressions, expectations and challenges. The Pre Academic Programme (PAP) aims to ease this transition and is meant to stimulate academic success, increase the sense of belonging and strengthen students' self-confidence. As part of his PhD project, Pieter van Lamoen researched the effectiveness of the Pre Academic Programme whether it makes a difference between first- and next-generation students. 'We look at the transition as a social moment. How students build relationships with each other turns out to be essential', he says.
Different from a traditional intro week
The Pre Academic Programme is a programme offered before the start of the academic year and is aimed at first-year students at our university. Unlike a traditional introduction week, PAP is not about drinks or playful scavenger hunts, but about structured activities that create depth. For example, about study skills, the academic world and your personal goals. 'For many students, the standard introduction works fine', says the researcher. 'But something like that often lacks those more in-depth parts. PAP contributes to creating friendship and that is important for students during their studies, both practically and emotionally.'
Small effects, big meaning
Pieter van Lamoen's research shows that PAP has a small but positive effect on both students' first study results and their sense of belonging. It is striking that this applied to both students who are the first in their family to go to university (first-generation students), and to students from families where higher education is already common. A surprising outcome? 'A little bit. We often assume that first-generation students need more support. But in this case, both groups benefited', says the researcher. 'Studies also sometimes show that certain forms of support work less well for first-generation students. PAP has specific modules for that group. The fact that both groups benefit from the program indicates that these components are effective.'
Self-confidence lags behind
Yet, PAP had hardly any influence on the self-confidence of students. According to the researcher, this may be due to the general nature of the program. 'PAP is not linked to a specific training, while they can differ greatly in terms of approach and requirements. So the activities do not always prepare students sufficiently for their own field of study.'
The Pre Academic Programme does help students build social relationships with fellow students – also outside the programme – from which they also ask for help. But the programme hardly strengthens the bond with the study programme or faculty. Participants of PAP are also no longer inclined to ask teachers for help. 'Teachers do not participate in PAP', says Pieter van Lamoen. 'A relevant improvement would be to organize sessions with teachers that students meet again later in the year. This creates more recognition and connection with the study.'
What could be better?
In addition to the involvement of teachers, another advice is to organise follow-up sessions. Now, PAP is a warm welcome, but then the real work begins. 'That transition can be big. Follow-up sessions provide an opportunity to reflect, ask questions, and reconnect.'
The researcher emphasizes that small-scale education is often seen as the solution to make students feel at home, but that this is not always enough. 'Students who already feel connected also benefit from small scale. It is more about sense of belonging. That depends not only on your background, but also on who you are as a person.'
Feeling at home is essential
The Pre Academic Programme is not a panacea, but it does contribute to a better start in higher education. It helps students find each other and build a network, which is of great value during the first months of your studies. To increase the impact, universities should invest in programmes that are more in line with the study itself, and in which lecturers also actively participate. Because one thing is certain: feeling at home somewhere is the first step to successful studying.
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