Admitted First-Year Student Perceptions of Factors That Will Impact College Academic Success

• In Event: AERA Poster Session 1
  In Poster Session: Division J Poster Session: College Student Success

Abstract

The present study used a mixed-methods, retrospective causal-comparison research design to collect and analyze 1,400 admitted first-year college students’ perceptions of factors that will impact their academic performance in college. A qualitative analysis of narrative survey responses revealed six themes of perceived factors: academic interests, access to resources, learner identity, non-academic activities, personal factors, and social transition. Themes of personal factors (n = 510) and learner identity (n = 505) appeared most frequently in student narratives. Student perceptions of factors impacting academic success differed significantly by admission year, first-generation status, second year retention status, and gender. The results offer higher educators a deeper understanding of student perceptions, which can be used to inform first-year programming.

Author

• Annie M Cole, Modern Classrooms Project