When a large sample of freshmen and transfer students at Kansas State University responded to the New Student Inventory, it was found that while transfer students are less prone to participate in existing extra-curricular activities than are freshmen, activities connected with personal concerns such as money and dating are of interest to them.…

Longitudinal comparisons between those who attended orientation programs and those who did not indicates that over the time span of the three surveys those differences found in the first two syrveys were no longer evident in the third, suggesting that attendance makes no appreciable difference in attitudes or success. (CJ)

In two surveys of freshmen students, academic needs were found to be of primary importance, compared to social and personal needs. Results provide clear direction for orientation program planners to emphasize the student's academic experience, with indications that a higher retention rate for the institution may result. (Author/JAC)

Adult educators can help students cope with stress by (1) designing programs that are responsive to stress factors; (2) including information on stress effects in orientation sessions; (3) developing individualized programs of study; (4) integrating education into students' work and other life roles; (5) providing personal attention, advising, and…

A study was conducted at Oxnard College to assess the effectiveness of a multimodal orientation program designed by the college's Assessment Center to reduce test anxiety traumas by explaining theories of stress and techniques for stress reduction, self-help breathing, muscle relaxation, and creative visualization. The Test Anxiety Inventory (TAI)…

In analyzing the impact of a freshman orientation course, it was found that the greatest impact was in the area of student activities. Students had a high degree of participation in college activities and reported positive attitudes toward the teaching and counseling faculty, other students, and required courses. (Author/HLM)

In this article, the author describes how the orientation staff at the University of Louisville used a unique blend of play and student learning to engage more students more deeply in their orientation experience as they learn the basics for success in college. This approach to orientation is based from Stephen Lundin, Harry Paul, and John…

This paper describes a preadmission orientation program for older nontraditional students at Murray State University, Kentucky. Included is a description of the university, a description of the orientation for traditional-age freshmen and an explanation of why this program was not appropriate for adult freshmen. A step-by-step description of the…

The distance teaching counseling program for mature students at Deakin University, Australia, is discussed, along with the extent to which adequate counseling is provided for the distance student in Australia and other countries. Completion of admission and enrollment procedures for new off-campus students between June and December in the year…

Designed as a guide for effective student service programs, this publication attempts to provide information on policy decisions, underscore the importance of and need for a comprehensive student services program, and serve as a philosophical and administrative model for professional educators in community colleges in Maryland. Introductory…

Analyzes the sequence of decisions students make in their transition to college, and finds six distinct time periods in the formal process that students go through. This decision-making process can be described using information management strategies of "prototype-matching" and "striving-for-future-selves." Argues colleges can use this information…

Examines the relationship between completion of a freshman orientation course at the University of South Florida and retention (enrollment during a subsequent semester following completion of the course), academic performance, and graduation. Findings show that course participants performed better on measures of retention and academic performance,…

Foothill College's matriculation plan is composed of seven components, each with its own goals, staffing, hardware, planning activities, outcomes, and timelines. Though the college began to implement the plan in 1987, a number of the goals and activities will be only partially fulfilled in 1988-89. The goals of the admissions component are…

Literature on counseling adult college students is extremely limited; few if any training programs are currently operating with the purpose of preparing counseling specialists in adult education. Moreover, college/university orientation programs for new entering adult part-time evening students are virtually nonexistent. Recognizing the need for…

Describes characteristics of adult college students and provides a composite of institutional responses to these characteristics. Suggests academic policies and services, such as orientation, evaluation, and counseling, should expand to meet the unique needs of nontraditional students. Proposes procedures for policy changes use rational rather…