The START-U Seminar for first-year students has reached another milestone

The course, initially known under the “First Year Seminar” working title, will run as “START-U” in the fall: the acronym comes from Skills, Tools and Resources for Transition to University, which accurately reflects the goal of the course: supporting first-year students in their transition to university. 

Instructor training has started 

The START-U instructor team was finalized in March: nearly 50 faculty members will participate in delivering the course during the 2026/27 academic year. In line with the course concept and recommendations from the international literature, instructors include representatives from both the academic and service sides of the university, ensuring that first-year students’ transition to university is supported by a variety of professional perspectives. 

The first training session took place in three groups in mid-April, with the next training planned for the end of May. The sessions are led by Dr. Kata Dósa, head of the Center for Teaching and Learning, with the collaboration of faculty members from the Department of Psychology. Instructors will also receive additional support throughout the academic year: detailed background and support materials, as well as regular online consultations will assist in the implementation of the course. 

The course content is developed collaboratively 

The course concept was developed as the result of a nearly semester-long community development process. The work was supported by a benchmark analysis, relevant research findings, discussions with other universities implementing best practices, and Corvinus’ previous experience in supporting learning. 

The course syllabus, curriculum, and learning activities have been developed by a diverse, interdisciplinary team. Students, faculty members representing various academic disciplines, experts in teaching methodology, counselors, library staff, and experts in education, psychology, and communication sciences have participated in the development. 

Representatives of the Students’ Union and the ÖCSI student organization, which focuses on freshman integration, have also played an important role in incorporating students’ perspective. With their practical experience and useful insights, they helped ensure that the course truly address the everyday challenges faced by first-year students. 

The course syllabus has been finalized and is expected to be approved at the May 12 session of the Educational Committee. The development team is currently working on the detailed lesson plans of the specific classes. 

We are grateful for the many ideas, inquiries, and encouraging feedback we have received from colleagues across the university. The 2026 development cycle is now coming to a close, but we will incorporate any further suggestions we receive during the 2027 development cycle. 

Recruitment for START-U guides has concluded 

An important element of START-U is that second and third-year students also get involved in supporting first-year students. These students can become START-U guides: peer mentors who help first-year students navigate university life, support them with their own experiences, and organize social and academic events throughout the semester. 

Selected guides will receive training in communication, facilitation, as well as keeping boundaries and responsibilities, earning 3 credits for their work over the semester. We have received nearly 60 applications, with the selection of guides taking place in May. 

Continuous learning, collaborative development 

START-U will continue to evolve even after its launch this fall. The experiences from the first year of delivering the course, along with observations from faculty and student feedback, will play a key role in its future development. 

We are confident that START-U will not only provide a foundation for first-year students, but it will also initiate a valuable shared learning process for the entire university community. The goal is for Corvinus students to start their university years with a stronger foundation, greater independence, and more effective learning strategies.