This "back to school" edition of College Connection features ideas and success stories from academic libraries that have welcomed first-year students in creative ways. Many libraries participate in campus orientation initiatives in order to introduce new students to the library as a welcoming place with helpful staff. These events can set a…

Freshmen Pre-Orientation Programs (FPOPs) can be powerful outreach tools for incoming college students and provide an exciting introduction to the field of engineering. The benefits reach not only the first year students, but also the upperclassmen who help to run the programs and the departments that sponsor them. A family of three engineering…

Attrition of doctoral students at the rate of 50-60% of those who enter the program, suggests the need to examine alternative strategies within educational institutions in working with doctoral students. The purpose of this paper is to suggest how incorporating Internet technology might be one alternative in reducing attrition in doctoral…

A survey of 49 colleges collected information about freshman wilderness orientation programs. Questions covered: (1) program goals; (2) activities to reach these goals; (3) follow-up goals and activities; (4) evaluation methods used; and (5) role and training of leaders. Institutional goals included program goals, personal growth goals, and social…

Describes an optional orientation program which provides a week-long live-in experience, along with a host of opportunities and experiences that support entrance into the university culture. (Author)

Play and games are widely held to meet a vital role in the socialization process. This study explores the differences in their socialization impact by race. Children in the sixth grade at a rural school were surveyed with regard to their participation in four types of games: individual, sports, board/card and party. Game experience was found to be…

This paper analyzes and assesses the effects of an exploratory orientation program for tenth grade vocational-technical pupils as compared with a traditional approach. The Hazelton Pennsylvania Vocational-Technical School has been placing a greater emphasis on students making more mature vocational-technical career decisions since its opening. A…

This article discusses the initial development tasks that greet the student making the transition from school to college. A three-session, structured group program is outlined for helping the new student meet these tasks systematically rather than haphazardly. (Author)

Responses derived from 76 adult students (mean of 25.6 years) indicated the following 5 services were most useful: advisement; financial aid; bookstore; counseling center; orientation/pre-registration. The five first choice services ranked by the group in order were: advisement; financial aid; admissions; career development center; and counseling…

Outlines a successful high school orientation program using volunteer upperclass students to acclimate new students. (MD)

The data suggests the program was successful because it made a big, impersonal university familiar to parents and because it lessened their main fears that their son or daughter would not succeed. It showed them that academic and social success are probable, that there are people and services well-equipped and ready to help all students. (Author)

To assist families new to the district, counselors in Iowa's Ankeny Community Schools developed a summer visitation program. The program's four components are publicity, home visitations, school orientation, and a welcoming party for new families. Evaluation showed significant improvement in new students' behavior, attendance, and attitudes toward…

Transition into the college environment involves a range of issues not only for the entering student but also for the parent. The College Survival Test (CST) is a program designed to present a wide range of issues concerning college life that allows focused input by college officials and students. (Author)