Opinion: Culture shock awaits disadvantaged students who make it through to university

For students who have overcome a lifetime of disadvantage and barriers to their education, their big first day at university too often contains another surprise – the financial and social challenges they faced at home and at school will continue at university. 

Reading Kate Nancarrow’s feature on university access programs in The Age last week reminded me of a recent conversation I had with a brilliant tertiary graduate from one of Victoria’s most highly disadvantaged communities. This student, supported by The Smith Family, worked very hard and overcame many obstacles to gain a place at university. But once she was there, campus was a culture shock.

This young woman discovered that disadvantage can go on for students like her once the course begins. Sitting next to her in lectures were students who had seen generations of their family attend university. These students had an instant network of academic support, role models, and mentors, from day one.

With the new academic year underway for thousands of students across Victoria, those from disadvantaged backgrounds are still very much under-represented on campus, and they are less likely to seek out – or aren’t aware of – support available to them.

They are likely to struggle financially and work longer hours. They report feeling less prepared, with greater levels of concern and stress than their peers. Those who are working to pay for food, rent, and transport have little time for the social, cultural, and sporting opportunities that are a part of university life. It is through these activities students can make lifelong friendships and professional networks.

Progress is being made – albeit slowly – to give disadvantaged students a more equal share of university enrolments.  It is crucial that this major shift in the university population is accompanied by major help for these students. Research shows that financial assistance makes all the difference in supporting this group of students to study at university. But it’s clear that this is not the only answer. Students need a comprehensive range of assistance to ensure they consider university as an option and go on to complete their studies.

Through The Smith Family’s Learning for Life program, some of Australia’s most disadvantaged students are supported throughout their tertiary education.

This program works in three ways. It provides students with financial assistance to pay for education essentials, support from a Smith Family program co-ordinator who can navigate through unfamiliar territory and link students to existing supports. Students also have mentors from their field of study, to guide them on subject choices, work placements and starting their careers.

Universities here and overseas understand the need to do more in this area. They have been putting in place a range of programs, reaching students in their school years to inform their aspirations and help create a supportive environment once they enrol.

These include orientation programs to introduce students to university life, and links to mentors from their peer group. It’s important that this work continues, and The Smith Family is collaborating with a number of universities on these initiatives.

Our long and trusted partnerships with students, some of whom have been sponsored through Learning for Life since early primary school, puts us in a unique position to make a difference. Strong partnerships with universities across Australia are vital in this work. Many of these young people are the first in their families to go to university – they shouldn’t have to feel that they’re doing it alone.

Last week The Smith Family, with families and supporters, celebrated the Victorian secondary and tertiary students who graduated in 2015. Such individual achievements are truly breaking the poverty cycle and increasing our nation’s social and economic prosperity.

Anton Leschen
General Manager - Victoria
The Smith Family

Published in The Age - 7 March 2016