As a first-year student, it isn’t always easy to find your way at university, especially when you’re in a situation that makes studying more challenging. KU Leuven has developed peer support groups for students with a disability with the focus on social and academic integration and on empowerment of students.
EFYE2024 – Copenhagen, Parallel session 4Show-and-tell | Personal mental health/well-being | Social integration/belonging
| KU Leuven believes it is important to support students during their academic career, as well as to invest in the well-being of students as part of the university community. As a first-year student, it is not always easy to fit in and find your way at university, especially when you are in a situation that makes studying even more challenging. That is why at KU Leuven we have developed peer support groups for students with a disability. Since academic year 2019-2020 students with ADHD, Autism, Dyslexia and students with a psychiatric disability or a chronic disease can participate in one of the peer support groups. All students are welcome, but we mainly focus on students who are new at university. There are groups for Dutch speaking students as well as for international students (in English). The aim of these groups is to get to know other students who experience the same challenges in an informal setting, to learn from each other while discussing both ‘learning’ and ‘living’-related issues such as disclosure about your situation or diagnosis, study skills, exam skills, … and to empower each other. We want to create a safe environment where students feel free to share their experiences and pose their questions. That is why the group is led by a higher-year student with the same diagnosis (the moderator). These groups are for students and by students. The moderators receive a training in conversations skills and listening skills, once a semester they can participate at an intervision where they can share difficulties but also successful experiences. In case they have questions or need extra support, they can contact one of the study counselors of KU Leuven. The sessions are no one-way information sessions, students are encouraged to participate in an active way. That is why they are limited to 20 students. Groups meet approximately 5 times times per semester. This can change depending on the need of the group and the topics the group wants to discuss. During this presentation we will elaborate on this program. Both experiences from participants as well as from the student-moderators will be shared. When questioning our alumni, the need to expand this program always comes back. That is why we are eager to hear about good practices from other universities as well. |
What do participants experience or learn?
Student, Academic adviser.
Relevant for all students, but with a specific focus:
Students as leaders, Students as participants.