Making History (HI1027) was introduced in 2016-17 as a new, 15 credit course, and compulsory for all Single and Joint Honours History students at Level 1 during the first half session. This compulsory element enables students get to know each other and History staff more quickly, building a sense of community. The course provides an overview of the wide range of topics and approaches students encounter during a History degree; it was designed and is currently co-ordinated by Dr Colin Barr, who has experience of raising retention in a US university. During the first half of the course, students are required to respond to lecture content through MyAberdeen, using short 'Tweet-style' comments; this enables staff to track general engagement with course materials, and intervene as necessary.
Dr Lisa Collinson assumed the new role of Level 1 History Co-ordinator, overseeing a small team of History PhD students as 'advisers'. Students were invited to meet their advisers at weekly group sessions, and/or in one-to-one sessions. Dr Collinson also met many students individually to offer advice and support; she liaised regularly with staff in Student Support and undertook training in Mental Health First Aid.
During the second half session, Dr Collinson continued to update a developing list of students identified as of concern. Attendance data in MyTimetable and the C6 monitoring system were regularly consulted. Light 'check-in' emails were sent to students where problems were identified or anticipated, and many individual meetings were held, as during the first half session. The four student advisers were now attached to either one of the two Level 1 History courses running, rather than individual students, with one drop-in session per week each.