The social experience of transitioning to a 4-year university varies widely among students. Some attend with few or no prior contacts or acquaintances from their hometown; others attend with a large network of high school alumni. Using a sample (N = 43,240) of undergraduates spanning 7.5 years at a public university, we examine what factors…

This study focused on the transition from upper-secondary school to university. Specifically, it examined whether prior academic achievements and conceptions of learning at the time of completion of upper-secondary school predicted short- and long-term university success (grades at the bachelor's and master's levels). A total of 171 psychology…

Our principal objective is to explore if interculturality is relevant for the success of a bilateral student mobility program, Mexico-Japan Technical and Academic Exchange Program (MJTAEP). First, the authors explain their methodology and objectives of field work. Second, they situate their analysis within a framework of growing academic…

Using data from more than 7000 children from the Norwegian Mother, Father and Child (MoBa) study, this study explored the role of school readiness and teacher-child closeness in the early child education and care (ECEC) setting for the prospective academic and social development of children with early externalizing problems. Mother, ECEC teachers,…

The Division of Student Engagement and Enrollment Services at Old Dominion University (ODU) submitted a Request for Assistance to examine the challenges sophomore students face that can lead to attrition. A doctoral research team conducted a exploratory, sequential, mixed-methods study consisting of a literature review, focus groups and interviews…

Racial and ethnic minority groups face extraordinary challenges in access to and success in higher education due to the complicated history of racism in the US educational system and society. This thesis focuses on past and current practices that affect educational equity, college completion, and post-undergraduate success for Black…

This research study focuses on finding the key to success for Indigenous students pursuing a university degree at a mainstream institution of higher education. The subject groups are students who are currently attending a mainstream university, mainstream university dropouts, and mainstream university graduates. Successful graduates who have been…

Recent studies question students' learning gains on college campuses. Even though academic challenges are further complicated for first-generation college students who arrive at college under prepared, little is known about how these setbacks contribute to students' cognitive and behavioral study approaches in college. Situated within a culture…

Anatomy and physiology courses are a foundation for numerous degrees, but experience some of the highest failure rates of all undergraduate health science programs (Higgins-Opitz & Tufts, 2014). While interventions have been developed in an attempt to remediate this concerning phenomenon, there is a paucity of evidence to determine the reason…

The first-year university experience is inherently linked to student satisfaction, retention and academic success. A sense of academic preparedness can enhance the first-year transition experience. Subjects designed to assist students to transition to university can improve the transition experience; however, there is very limited evidence of…

Background: Friendships have been linked to mental health and school attainment in children. The effects of friendlessness and friendship quality have been well researched, but less is known about the role of friendship stability (i.e., maintaining the same friend over time), an aspect of friendship which is often interrupted by the transition…

Research demonstrates students with a family member serving in the military often experience deleterious effects on their developmental outcomes. This study addresses two knowledge gaps in this area of research. First, we present a conceptualization of a unique typology of military connectedness, including the potentially unique effect of having…

The aim of this work is to examine the effects of a growth mindset intervention amongst first-year university students during a longitudinal study spanning over 1 month and to develop a model linking well-being and achievement variables. Growth mindset interventions, by teaching malleable instead of fixed self-conceptions, would allow students to…

Former and current foster youth transitioning to adulthood through a four-year university campus require special consideration. Identifying barriers to academic success is critical to the overall success of this unique student population. This study examined the relationship between mental health and academic achievement during the first year at a…

Whether a child is ready for school is of interest for different parties involved. With a person-centred approach, the present study examined 123 kindergarteners (59 girls, 64 boys) regarding their early executive functions and social skills profiles. Children were 6-7 years of age at the first measurement point (M = 6; 6, SD = 4.22, range = 5;…