The Importance of the First Year
Student achievement is a major focus of the mission of College Parents of America. We look for insights that can assist college parents and their students to overcome obstacles and be prepared for unexpected interruptions.
A major emphasis for student achievement is to enable college bound students to have a successful transition and adjustment to college life. As a result, the first year experience is vital and the research below helps families understand both national trends and practical tools that will support their students successful transition to college.
One vital element to recognize is that, according the Higher Education Research Institute (at UCLA), about 25% of college freshmen do not become college sophomores.
Infographic from UCLA's Higher Education Research Institute, detailing results of the Your First College Year survey.
Higher Education Research Institute, at UCLA
The Higher Education Research Institute conducts and collects some of the finest research in Higher Education. Some of this research illuminates the feelings, attitudes, beliefs, and struggles of college freshmen and seniors. College Parents of America recommends reading the American Freshman Survey (about incoming freshmen) findings as well as the Your First College Year Survey results brief. Many students have struggles that must be actively addressed in order to unlock collegiate success.
- The American Freshman Survey Findings, Powerpoint
- The American Freshman Survey Findings, Research Brief
National Resource Center for the First-Year Experience & Student in Transition
These studies document approaches of campus centers that seek to assist students in their first-year experience. Key findings include:
- Most of these campus centers are less than 10 years old and are administered by Academic Affairs.
- The most common services administerd are
- Tutoring (81.7%),
- Academic Coaching and Counsling (52.7%),
- Writing Support Services (43.5%),
- Academic Advising (39.7%), and
- Testing Services (38.2%).
