Examined the initial expectations and the later perceptions of the social climates of university living units reported by newly entering students (N=92). Found that freshmen have inaccurate expectations of the future social climate of their living group. Found differences between students with active and passive social exploration preferences.…

Describes psychosocial factors that predicted college adjustment of first-year undergraduate students on the basis of studies conducted in two universities of differing size, focus, and geographic location. Academic self-confidence, positive attitudes toward the university, and faculty and peer support significantly predicted more successful…

Facilitation is a good thing, but too much can be a problem. What can happen when parents and educators overfacilitate? One way to avoid this common pitfall is for administrators and faculty to work in partnership with parents to maintain a healthy balance in facilitating the education of the students. (Author)

Compared the adjustment of 182 international students to a comparison sample of U.S. students to determine if they have greater difficulty adjusting to college life. Found that international students are more likely to feel lonely, homesick, and as if they had left part of themselves at home. Also confirmed the importance of social networks in…

A study compared the support provided by the University of Washington's Freshman Interest Group (FIG) program, which emphasizes interaction with faculty and peers, as compared with support provided in a traditional academic structure. Results confirm that FIGs provide more support, especially through classmates, but produce no overall difference…

When women were first admitted to colleges and universities, it was only the first step in their gaining genuine access to an education. The deans of women, hired to help with this strange new group of students, led the way in making campuses accessible to women. (Author)

Evaluates a model of student interaction with the environment that would help guide the process of program development toward greater congruence. Maps student interaction with the campus environment in a way that shows how students seek fit or congruence. (Author/ABB)

A survey of 32 college students of color, faculty, and staff involved in related support groups found that the overall university climate remains unwelcoming despite programs to enhance their experience. It is concluded that there is a need to address the level of underlying belief structures of the university culture. (Author/MSE)

Describes common problems faced by international students studying in the United States, including language and cultural difficulties both in and out of the classroom. Suggests that institutions of higher learning should assist in fostering mutual understanding between international and native students. (MAB)

A study of adjustment of Latino college freshmen and sophomores used data from a longitudinal survey and a questionnaire on student adaptation to college. Results show that dimensions of the campus climate and common transitional experiences affect all forms of student adjustment in the first year. Implications are found for further college…

Most institutions, however enlightened and well-intentioned, are sadly inadequate at meeting the special needs of minority students. Black students, endowed with low self-esteem before they arrive, meet a casually insensitive environment that disregards their basic human need for self-worth. (MLW)

A study of the problems of reconciling nontraditional student needs, expectations, and attitudes with the traditional college environment and structure, conducted through interviews with 25 nontraditional undergraduate students in Britain, is reported. Implications of the results are discussed. (MSE)

Describes the "Quest for Identity" program at Central YMCA Community College (Chicago). This program strives to give disadvantaged students in their first semester of college a sense of belonging in the college environment and a higher academic self-esteem. It offers a Human Relations Workshop, remedial courses in composition, reading,…

Evaluates and discusses a program to help women returning to school make an adjustment to the college environment. Components of the program are values clarification, decision making, and assertion training. Suggestions are offered for the design and implementation of additional programs. (Author)

Investigates relation between religion and adjustment to college. Questionnaires were administered to freshmen (n=500) from 3 universities. Regression analyses for the total sample revealed that various religion dimensions were significant predictors of various adjustment subscales. Regression analyses for school and sex revealed a significant…