Using a social networking site such as Facebook, to enhance the feeling of belonging, within a first year nursing cohort of a large university

Abstract

Recently I asked a first year student how he was coping with the transition from high school to
university. The young fellow looked at me and said, “Man, everything is so different!” I smiled
and said “like what?” with which he seriously replied, “Well for one thing, no one tells you that
you have to wear a hat at lunch time.” I have to admit I was a little amused and surprised by this
student’s response, as so often the focus, is placed on getting first year students to engage
academically, when it is obvious at times, that even the mere transition in to university life and
the culture itself, can be a hurdle.
While teaching, within a large first year unit for over 10 years, it has become apparent that
students want more connection with not only the peers that they study with, but also with the
University as a whole. Dr Krause pointed out in her keynote paper, On Being Strategic about the
First Year (2006), that this “sense of belonging is conducive to enhancing engagement,
satisfaction with learning and commitment to study”. It has also become evident, that the way in
which students want to be able to communicate has changed, with the advent of capabilities such
as Instant Messaging via a network and Short Message Service SMS texting via their hand held
mobile phones. To be able to chat and feel connected on social networking sites such as Bebo,
Facebook and Twitter is not only a way of the future, it is here now and it is here to stay.