Homesickness is a complex phenomenon that operates on a spectrum and impacts individuals' psychological, cognitive, and physical functioning. Sufferers experience a preoccupation of home and a strong desire to return home. In higher education, homesickness among first-year students has been linked to a higher risk of dropping out of school,…

Knowledge about self-regulation and motivation processes enables students to maximize their college career paths and allows universities to implement better intervention programs to encourage struggling students to persist and complete their educational studies. College administrators and instructors should focus on developing interventions to…

This study examined the perceptions of six first-year students involved in a residential learning community during the program's pilot year. During group interviews, study participants shared their perceptions about what they were learning as members of the community and what value they placed on that learning. The findings indicated students…

This annotated bibliography describes resource materials on educational theory and practice related to the first college year. This edition contains nearly twice as many entries as the second edition. Works are grouped into these topical headings: (1) "Academic Advising and Student Counseling"; (2) "Academic Support"; (3) "Assessment and…

A study at Worcester Polytechnic Institute (Massachusetts) found a positive relationship between freshman (n=262) decidedness regarding academic major and both anticipated adjustment (prematriculation) and actual adjustment (postmatriculation), more academically than socially. Comparison with another study suggests the relationship is stronger in…

This study sought to evaluate the impact of orientation, general levels of adjustment, differences between orientation attending and non-attending students, and differences between faculty and student academic performance evaluations for freshmen at Slippery Rock University in Pennsylvania during the crucial first six weeks on campus. From a pool…

This booklet contains questions that are intended to serve as a starting point for asking meaningful questions about the quality of the first year of college so that a two-year college campus can enhance the learning, satisfaction, and retention of new college students. The previous edition considered the first-year experience for both two-year…

A study of 125 first-year students at Peabody College (Vanderbilt University, Tennessee) investigated psychological processes underlying college success. Results indicated students' rules of reasoning about effort and ability, motivational goals, and confidence in their intelligence were strongly related to types of participation in college and…

California State University's Summer Bridge program, a preenrollment course for underprepared freshmen that focuses on improving basic skills and familiarizing students with the university environment, has been successful in increasing first- and second-year retention rates for its first three student cohorts. (Author/MSE)

To assist integration of incoming freshman into the academic environment, improve social acclimation, and increase student retention, Northern Michigan University created a first-year experience program with community as its central focus. Its key to success is the use of block scheduling, combining a freshman seminar with other classes. Pilot…

This study examined the attitudes and behaviors associated with leadership qualities in 73 freshman athletes at the University of Maryland, College Park. The Sport Leadership Behavior Inventory (SLBI), the Noncognitive Questionnaire (NCQ), and the New Student Census were administered to the athletes. The SLBI was chosen to provide a definition of…

Based on the idea that college student involvement in campus activities enhances student development, the University of Rhode Island has established a research project that gathers information on student cocurricular background and interests and monitors student participation in campus organizations and its correlation to student confidence and…

A study investigated the effectiveness of intervention, by interview, with 111 first-year college students identified as at risk in their adjustment to college. Effects were analyzed in terms of score change on scales of adjustment, first-year grade point average, first-year course credits earned, and continuance of enrollment. (Author/MSE)

A study at Illinois Benedictine College compared the advising of freshmen with that of upperclassmen. Upperclassmen rated advisers highly on academic dimensions such as knowledge of major courses and graduation requirements. Freshmen saw advisers as concerned about their college adjustment, helpful with referrals, and interested in their general…

A study investigated the academic achievement of 390 students in a freshman seminar designed to enhance academic success of three risk groups (underachievers, overachievers, and low achievers). The populations responded to seminar content in distinct ways. Comparison with a control group showed the only gain was in retention of low achievers.…