Promoting First-Year College Students' Academic Success: The Roles of Demographics, Sociopsychological Traits, and College Experiences

• In Event: 65.036 - Integration and Retention of College Students

Abstract

This study examined factors that influence academic achievement of first year students who are new direct from high school. The interplay between students’ demographics, socio-psychological traits and college experiences appeared to contribute significantly to student academic achievement. The results indicated that students’ resiliency directly impacted student’s academic achievement in addition to the mediation effect of homesick distress and peer connection. Also, gender and ACT score had direct impacts on grade point average in addition to the mediation effect of students’ social-psychological traits. The findings offer a promise that when considered intertwined: students’ demographics, socio-psychological traits and college experiences contribute to understanding the likelihood of students’ academic achievement and ultimately, degree attainment.

Authors

• Jie Sun, Southern Methodist University

• Aurelia Kollasch, Iowa State University