Happening at StudyPLUS project: What are we doing this spring to promote a first-class student experience?

All faculties are represented in the project

A wide range of staff from across the university is involved in the StudyPLUS project. The project team has been divided into sub-groups focused on specific themes. The student perspective is provided by representatives from the Student Union JYY and a student panel, with whom we collaborate closely.

Project group members by subgroup:

• Attachment and belonging Issues: Leena Penttinen (Student and Academic Services) Juhani Moisio (Movi), Lotta Valtatie (Communications), Veronika Heikkinen (JYY), Piia Einonen (HYTK), Johanna Rantanen (KPTK), Susanna Paloniemi (KPTK)
• Academic readiness and ability to Study: Maija Gerlander (Movi), Anna Kaikkonen (Open University), Tanja Lahtinen (MLTK), Riitta-Leena Metsäpelto (Student and Academic Services)
• Study structure, outlook and timely guidance: Tiina Koskelainen (ITK), Jussi Maunuksela (MLTK), Minna Ylilahti (HYTK), Tuisku Takala (JSBE), Jenna Simonen (JYY), Terhi Huovinen (LTK)

The project group is led by Peppi Taalas together with Sakari Siilin from Männikkömetsä Oy.

Development steps for the student's path

To date, the project has already taken many concrete steps forward in the following areas, among others:

Guidance document to support the thesis process

The guidance document, to be piloted this fall, establishes a common framework for thesis supervision, based on which the principles of supervision are agreed upon between the student and the supervisor. The goal is to ensure equal guidance for all and to clarify the responsibilities of both the student and the advisor. The framework of the guidance document allows for discipline-specific application and will be created in the VASARA system.

Intervention for reading in English

The Department of Chemistry and Movi are collaborating on a pilot to explore how students can be supported in reading English-language textbooks. The pilot aims to increase students’ engagement with textbook reading and, on the other hand, to identify the challenges affecting it. In the fall of 2025, reading was supported with videos and tips from experts. Based on the pilot, it was found that students need more frequent, small-scale interventions to support their reading. This spring, the pilot experiences will be reviewed and next steps will be planned.

HOPS guidance and portfolio development to help identify one’s own expertise

The goal of HOPS guidance and portfolio development is to model an approach that combines study planning with the identification of one’s own expertise. Additionally, the goal is to harmonize portfolio practices while maintaining discipline-specific application. As part of these practices, it is also possible to ensure the systematic development of so-called meta-skills at different stages of the study path.

The Late Arrival pilot helps students arriving later integrate into the community

Orientation weeks offer an important opportunity to familiarize oneself with the university environment and connect with the new student community. However, not all international students are able to arrive in the country by the start of the academic year. The goal of the Late Arrival pilot is to develop an operational model that ensures these students can also orient themselves to their studies and connect with the community.

More information on challenges in the study path

The StudyPLUS project modeled the critical factors and stages of the study path this fall, and the next step is to investigate the possible reasons behind delays in studies. The goal is to develop forms of support and guidance based on this information.

How can you get involved?

Registration for the student panel opens again in September. By participating, you can share your own valuable experiences of studying, get to know other students from different disciplines, and help us develop smoother study paths while chatting casually over a cup of coffee. The panel meets four times per academic year, and each meeting lasts 1.5 hours.