Teaching Connection #95
Transitioning Into the First Year of College
消消犯 administers the Transition Survey to all Oxford first-year and transfer 消消犯s during the first 4-6 weeks of the fall semester, with the goal of identifying 消消犯s who may need support in their transition to Miami. 1,233 消消犯s completed the survey, representing a 32% response rate. Of these, 91% were first-time 消消犯s, 9% were transfer 消消犯s, 62% were female, and 16% were domestic minorities. Five percent were international 消消犯s, and 13% were the first person to attend college in their families.
At the end of the survey, 消消犯s may give permission for their answers to be individually reviewed by staff who can assist in connecting them to campus resources. Over 60% gave permission for this service. Of these, 697 消消犯s received between one and seven email communications related to their interests or concerns. Student Affairs staff followed up personally with 108 消消犯s for greater interaction.
Notable Findings
Out-of-Class Engagement
- 88% of new first-year 消消犯s had already become involved with a campus club or organization.
- 93% had attended a campus event not required by or associated with a class.
High School to College Transition
- 82% of 消消犯s agreed it is easy to adjust to Miami academically, while 72% agreed it is easy to adjust to Miami socially.
Residence Life
- 95% of 消消犯s reported being very satisfied/satisfied/neutral about their living experience, and 91% were very satisfied/satisfied/neutral regarding their relationships with their roommate(s).
Academics
- 86% of 消消犯s indicated they study 20 hours a week or less.
- 29% said the academic coursework was more challenging than they expected.
- Many 消消犯s felt they know how to study effectively (63% strongly agreed/agreed) and were managing their time well (67% strongly agreed/agreed).
- 82% of 消消犯s responded that they were struggling in at least one class.
Finances
- Over 40% of 消消犯s were strongly/moderately concerned about paying for college, yet most were not working (88%) or looking for work (69%).
Overall Feelings
- More than 91% of 消消犯s stated they intend to graduate from Miami, and 90% would recommend Miami to a peer.
- 75% stated they often/always feel like they belong at Miami; 21% identified that they sometimes belong.
- 91% believed they would be successful at Miami. Less than 2% felt they would not be successful. The remaining 消消犯s were neutral at the time of the survey.
- Slightly less than 7% were moderately or very likely to transfer to another school
- Qualitative responses suggest that 消消犯s who have made friends and become engaged outside of the classroom are more likely to have a sense of belonging.
How Can You Help?
- Encourage 消消犯s to become involved in an organization, campus job, volunteer opportunity, intramural sport, research lab, or other interest.
- Clearly explain to 消消犯s your expectations for academic success–e.g., 消消犯s should spend at least two hours outside of class for every hour spent in class.
September 2017