Student attrition in the first year of university is an issue of concern for many universities. Many factors influence attrition including academic preparedness and social adjustment difficulties. In this project we sought clarify factors that influence transition from the perspective of students and to implement strategies to address this issue. During first semester 2006, a series of strategies were implemented with the aim of better supporting first year psychology students' adjustment to university. These strategies included identifying students' concerns and challenges, structured orientation activities, curriculum reforms and learning support workshops. Students found the structured orientation activities and curriculum reforms beneficial in that they allowed them to reflect upon, share and validate their concerns with others which in turn helped foster their adjustment to university life. However, evaluation of the effectiveness of the learning support workshops revealed that a more systematic approach to academic support was needed, such as embedding this support into the curriculum.

Keywords: Student retention, academic support, social cohesion