| "The first year of college is critical, the key to retention and student success, the foundation of everything else that follows" (Gardner, 1999).;This was a qualitative study of first semester residential college students enrolled in UB 101. The emphasis was on the experiences of these new students during their transition to college. The purpose of this study was to gain insight from an emic (insider) perspective about what the first semester of college is like, to better assist future new students. The literature on first semester students has lacked solid reliable information from those most closely experiencing it, the students themselves (Benjamin, 1990).;This research incorporated 14 individual interviews with course participants along with observations of UB 101 classes and journals as secondary data sources. Categories were generated using grounded theory analysis. Coding was done line by line of each of the interview transcripts generating 177 codes. These codes were then compared and like codes were grouped and labeled categories. The analysis brought forth a core category of Connecting. Connecting to college increases the probability of succeeding at college. Four Connective Influences were identified (Planning, Getting Set-Up, Academics and Involvement/Activities) along with six Supplemental Influences (Peer Connections, Faculty Connections, Family, Bureaucracy, Economics and Hanging Out). A heuristic of the core, connective influences and supplemental influences was developed as well.;The goal of this research was a better understanding of what new students experience in college. Finding out just what happens within the context of the first semester is important for future students and institutions alike. Armed with this knowledge future students will be better prepared and institutions will better understand the perspectives of new students. |
