College 101:
Strategies for 1st Year Success
A College Prep Seminar for Your
High School Seniors
14th National Conference on
Students in Transition
November 4-6, 2007 – Cincinnati, Ohio
Brian Raison – [email protected]
4-H Youth & Community Development
Montgomery County Extension Office
1001 South Main Street
Dayton, OH 45409
(937) 224-9654
Today
College 101: Strategies for 1st Year Success
Reach:
450+ locations; 36 states
University colleagues; youth development specialists;
high school counselors; faith-based & non-profits
Evaluation:
3,500+ students;
16 states;
781 evaluations collected
88.6% said they “learned new information, were glad they took the class and/or would
recommend the program to a friend.”
Awards:
1st Place: Journal of Youth Development’s academic and professional association.
Best educational program package in the nation for 2007. (Awarded 10/26/07, Atlanta, GA.)
Invited Papers:
Children, Youth & Families at Risk (CYFAR) National Conference. Chicago, Illinois - May 1-4, 2007.
National Association of Community Development Extension Professionals (NACDEP) Annual Conference.
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania - April 16-19, 2007.
Building Human & Social Capital: The Knowledge Economy Conference – Ohio State University.
Columbus – May 2, 2006.
National Association of Extension 4-H Agents (NAE4HA) Annual Conference. Seattle, Washington –
October 30 - November 3, 2005.
How did we get there?
Program Background
Research Methodologies and Findings
Curriculum Development Model Application
Teaching the Seminar
Brief Preview
College 101
Program Background
Life Change:
Disparate youth from rural and urban communities
converge on college campuses each fall.
On one level, “move-in day” equalizes variables
including high school size, class rank, family finances
and distance from home.
Regardless of background, all face the anxiety of a
major life change… and numerous, immediate highrisk decisions.
College 101
Literature Review
- Defining Focus:
(adolescent decision making)
…Improved decision-making and fewer negative consequences with
prior encounter or foreknowledge of given situation (Trad, 1993)
- Investigation of need; Gap identified:
(few college social scene / academic protocol programs in HS)
- New “First Year Encounter” seminars ease social and academic
adjustments; lessen dropout potential (on campus – during 1st year)
- Freshman orientation (on campus – summer before transition)
- HS guidance counselor focus: entry exams, scholarships, FAF
- Confirmation (via interviews, data collection)
- Popular press antecedents
College 101
Hypothesis
Youth will achieve greater success during their
first year college experience if they:
1. are made aware of social scene changes
and new academic protocols
2. consciously work through a decisionmaking process prior to actual life
encounter
College 101
Planning Model Application
Logic Model:
- Input-Output-Outcome simplicity
- Assumptions—beliefs about program function—rather basic
- Environmental—context in which C101 exists—relatively static
(i.e., all youth experience major life change, regardless of family income, school size, etc.)
- If-then relationships guide linear, progressive program design
Interactive Model:
- Transfer of learning objective component
Political Context:
- Issues on sexual activity, alcohol use, money, etc.
Question-Based Approach:
- Adds a formalized structure for formative evaluation
A Logic Model of College 101
SITUATION: 4-year college completion rate @ 36.4%. Transition is key. “First Year Encounter” too late. HS
guidance counselors: entry exams, scholarships, FAF; no time for transitional programs. Major gap.
INPUTS
OUTPUTS
What we
invest:
What we do:
(Activities)
Time:
curriculum
development;
PowerPoint;
research;
videography.
Contact w/
High School
Guidance
Counselors
Guest speakers
(collegians)
Funding
Equipment
Materials
2-hour face to
face
instruction
OUTCOMES – IMPACT
Who we
reach:
Participation
2007 Target:
2500 collegebound HS
seniors
(from approx.
45 users in
Ohio counties
and 50 users
in 20 other
states who
have signed
on to teach)
Assumptions
First Year seminars are during 1st year (too late).
Freshman orientation = class scheduling,
directions, library, placement tests.
HS Guidance = entry exams, scholarships, FAF.
Short term
results:
Medium term
results:
Students receive
research-based
information on:
Students
assimilate to first
year with better
understanding of:
-time mgt., study/
tips, roommates,
drug, alcohol, STDs,
money mgt.; plus
Real stories from
college students.
Conjectural
decision-making
is forced prior to
actual encounter.
- academic protocols
-time mgt.
-social scene coping
strategies
Ultimate
long term
results:
Students do
not drop out
first quarter/
semester or
first year of
college.
Students
integrate better
socially and
academically.
External Factors (Environment)
HS size; class size vs. college/university size. Familial
history. Generational knowledge. Success rates (i.e.,
not dropping out) affected as well. Personal ability to
handle change, work load, responsibility vary.
Chart Source: University of Wisconsin-Extension – Cooperative Extension – Program Dev. & Evaluation © 2002 http://www.uwex.edu/ces/pdande/
College 101
Inputs
2004 Pilot Survey Feedback:
“A lot of people aren’t ready for college yet…”
“I wasn’t prepared to be in control.”
“I was overwhelmed with how much freedom I had. I
had to make my own choices.”
“I wish I was more confident as a freshman.”
Source: Freshman Preparedness Advice Survey. Ohio State University, CFAES, Dept. of Extension. May 2004.
College 101
Advice Survey
• 2006-07 Freshman Preparedness Advice:
First Year Survey
• 600 current collegians (via Zoomerang)
• 221 respondents + 60 in-person
• Video Interviews (from 4 campuses)
University of Wisconsin
Findings
University of Wisconsin Research Foundation’s
Transitions to College Focus Group Report
James Janke, Mandy Speerstra, David Trechter
Findings: Key Themes
Many students wish they had known in high school how much more
demanding college would be.
Many said that their college stress would have been reduced if they
had taken more courses to prepare them for college.
Recommendations based on focus group comments
Develop system for high school alumni to share their advice with
college-bound students (to increase their knowledge about academic,
social, and financial issues related to the transition to college).
Workshops for parents and college-bound students to discuss the
social transformations.
Janke, J., Speerstra, M., Trechter, D. 2006. Transitions to College Focus Group Report - DRAFT. Madison,
Wisconsin: University of Wisconsin Research Foundation, 2006.
Additional Background
Youth Culture Research Resource
CPYU.org
News from the World of
Youth Culture
Example Articles:
•College drinking; heart problems
•Teens feel physical appearance pressure
•More teens use credit for purchases
•Gunman kills 21 + on Virginia Tech campus
•Violent games and movies, marketed to teens online
•Web site photos trigger uproar as teens regret images
•Teenager casts light on 'choking game'
Reaching Teens:
Using Peer Input, Advice &
Stories to Bolster Programs.
[The College 101 Model Application]
Children, Youth & Families At Risk
The CYFAR National Conference
May 1-4, 2007 – Chicago, IL
Brian Raison - [email protected]
Ohio State University Extension
1001 South Main Street
Dayton, OH 45409
(937) 224-9654
Lori A. Zierl - [email protected]
University of Wisconsin Extension
412 W. Kinne St., P.O. Box 69
Ellsworth WI 54011
(715) 273-6781
Dianne Weber
Annette Bjorklund
[email protected]
[email protected]
University of Wisconsin – Extension Washburn County
850 Beaverbrook Avenue, Suite 1, Spooner, CI 54801
(715) 653-4444
2005-2006 Freshman Preparedness Advice Survey
n=221 current collegians responding (freshmen-grad school)
THE
DEMOGRAPHICS
Male
60
28%
Female
155
72%
Total
215
100%
11. What year are you in?
Freshman
18
8%
Sophomore
38
18%
Junior
50
23%
Senior
66
31%
Graduated or
grad school
43
Total
215
12. About how many miles is it
from your home to college?
13. Did your parents attend college?
0-25
27
12%
Neither did.
32
15%
26-50
24
11%
One did.
51
24%
51-100
40
19%
Both did.
133
62%
101-250
70
32%
Total
216
100%
Over
250
55
25%
Total
216
100%
14. Did you have older brothers and/or
sisters who attended college before you?
Yes
92
43%
20%
No
124
57%
100%
Total
216
100%
Source:
Raison (2006) - Freshman Preparedness Advice Survey.
Ohio State University, CFAES, Dept. of Extension.
2005-2006 Freshman Preparedness Advice Survey
n=221 current collegians responding (freshmen-grad school)
THE
RESULTS
Very few
“did a lot”
of
ANYTHING!
1. Aside from a required on-campus orientation, how much did you do to
prepare for the transition from high school to college?
Top number is the count of
respondents selecting the option.
Talked with friends already at
college.
Attended college prep
seminars/classes (not orientation).
Read “college survival” books.
Did Internet research on college
life.
Source:
Raison (2006) - Freshman Preparedness Advice Survey.
Ohio State University, CFAES, Dept. of Extension.
1
DID NOT
DO
2
3
4
5
DID A
LOT
29
51
64
47
26
13%
24%
29%
22%
12%
162
21
11
12
11
75%
10%
5%
6%
5%
145
48
10
8
6
67%
22%
5%
4%
3%
85
59
32
24
17
39%
27%
15%
11%
8%
75%
2005-2006 Freshman Preparedness Advice Survey
n=221 current collegians responding (freshmen-grad school)
ADDITONAL
QUESTIONS
4. During that 1st quarter, what was the biggest thing you really thought
you were prepared for... but found out you were not?
5. What surprised you most about the academics?
6. What surprised you most about the new social scene?
7. When you think about your transition from high school to college,
what do you know now that you wish you knew then?
8. What one piece of advice would you give an incoming college
freshman?
Source:
Raison (2006) - Freshman Preparedness Advice Survey.
Ohio State University, CFAES, Dept. of Extension.
1 = WAS NOT
PREPARED
5 = HAD A HANDLE
ON THINGS
3. During your 1st quarter, how well were you prepared for:
(Top is # respondents; Bottom is total
%.)
Budgeting money
2005-2006
Freshman Preparedness
Advice Survey
Choosing and balancing
classes
Difficulty of classes
The amount of school work
n=221 current collegians
responding,
freshmen-grad school
Managing your time
Roommates / getting along
Safety on campus
Campus party scene
Amount of personal freedom
Study skills and techniques
Source:
Raison (2006) - Freshman Preparedness Advice Survey.
Ohio State University, CFAES, Dept. of Extension.
Talking with Professors
1
2
3
4
5
13
33
41
56
74
6%
15%
19%
13
35
60
66
43
6%
16%
28%
30%
20%
16
34
50
72
45
7%
16%
23%
33%
21%
12
36
52
77
39
6%
17%
24%
36%
18
36
56
75
32
8%
17%
26%
35%
15%
28
29
38
54
68
13%
13%
18%
25%
31%
8
14
37
70
87
4%
6%
17%
32%
40%
19
34
54
65
45
9%
16%
25%
30%
21%
5
16
46
76
73
2%
7%
21%
12
40
52
70
41
6%
19%
24%
33%
19%
37
50
64
39
26
17%
23%
30%
18%
12%
60% 34%
26%
63% 18%
72%
69% 34%
35%
5 = HAD A HANDLE
ON THINGS
1 = WAS NOT
PREPARED
3. During your 1st quarter, how well were you prepared for:
(Top is # respondents; Bottom is total
%.)
Budgeting money
2005-2006
Freshman Preparedness
Advice Survey
n=221 current collegians
responding,
freshmen-grad school
Choosing and balancing
classes
Difficulty of classes
The amount of school work
Managing your time
Roommates / getting along
Safety on campus
Campus party scene
Amount of personal freedom
Study skills and techniques
Source:
Raison (2006) - Freshman Preparedness Advice Survey.
Ohio State University, CFAES, Dept. of Extension.
Talking with Professors
1
2
3
4
5
13
33
41
56
74
6%
15%
19%
13
35
60
66
43
6%
16%
28%
30%
20%
16
34
50
72
45
7%
16%
23%
33%
21%
12
36
52
77
39
6%
17%
24%
36%
63% 18%
18
36
56
75
32
8%
17%
26%
35%
15%
28
29
38
54
68
13%
13%
18%
25%
31%
8
14
37
70
4%
6%
17%
32%
40%
19
34
54
65
45
9%
16%
25%
30%
21%
5
16
46
76
2%
7%
21%
35%
34%
12
40
52
70
41
6%
19%
24%
33%
19%
37
50
64
39
26
17%
23%
30%
18%
12%
60%34%
26%
87
72%
69%
73
5 = HAD A HANDLE
ON THINGS
1 = WAS NOT
PREPARED
4. What were you NOT prepared for?
3. During your 1st quarter, how well were you prepared for:
(Open-ended questions)
(Top is
2 # respondents;3 Bottom is total
4
%.)
Budgeting money
Choosing and balancing
classes
Difficulty of classes
The amount of school work
Managing your time
Roommates / getting along
Safety on campus
Campus party scene
Amount of personal freedom
*Homesick = 9%
Study skills and techniques
Talking with Professors
4
1.5%
10
4%
27
12%
27
12%
32
14%
33
14%
0
0%
15
7%
40
18%
15
7%
4
1.5%
5 1
2
3
4
5
56
7413
33
41
56
74
26%
34%6%
15%
19%
26%
34%
35
Choosing
and 60
balancing66
classes
16%
28%
30%
4313
35
60
66
43
20%6%
16%
28%
30%
20%
72
4516
34
50
72
45
33%
21%7%
16%
23%
33%
21%
3912
36
52
77
39
18%6%
17%
24%
36%
18%
3218
36
56
75
32
15%8%
17%
26%
35%
15%
6828
29
38
54
68
31%
13%
13%
18%
25%
31%
70
87 8
14
37
70
87
32%
40%4%
6%
17%
32%
40%
34
54
65
Campus party scene
16%
25%
30%
4519
34
54
65
45
21%9%
16%
25%
30%
21%
73 5
16
46
76
73
34%2%
7%
21%
35%
34%
4112
40
52
70
41
19%6%
19%
24%
33%
19%
2637
50
64
39
26
12%
17%
23%
30%
18%
12%
33
41
Budgeting money
15%
19%
34
50
Difficulty of classes
16%
23%
36
52
77
The amount of school work
17%
24%
36%
36
56
75
Managing your time
17%
26%
35%
29
38
54
Roommates / getting along
13%
18%
25%
14
37
Safety on campus
6%
17%
16
46
76
Amount of personal freedom
7%
21%
35%
40
52
70
Study skills and techniques
19%
24%
33%
50
64
39
Talking with Professors
23%
30%
18%
90%
Q 4: What were you NOT prepared for?
The amount of new freedom
Amount of personal freedom. I went to school far
from home on purpose. But there's a reason you're
still a teenager at 18... you act like one.
I thought I was prepared for the freedom. You
know, the typical no curfew, not having to study if I
didn't want to. My grades would have been better
had I managed to be more responsible with my
freedom.
Source: 1st Year College Advice Survey. CFAES, Dept. of Extension, The Ohio State University. 2007.
Q 4: What were you NOT prepared for?
Having the freedom to choose not to go to class,
thinking there would be no consequences…
Realizing that I was on my own and that if things
needed to be done it was solely up to me.
Freedom- I thought I was going to be no problem
but when it really came down to it the freedom was
not as good as what I thought it would be
Source: 1st Year College Advice Survey. CFAES, Dept. of Extension, The Ohio State University. 2007.
2005-2006 Freshman Preparedness Advice Survey
n=192 current collegians responding (freshmen-grad school)
QUESTION #7
7. When you think about your transition from high school to college,
what do you know now that you wish you knew then?
“The one major problem I had was trying to take too many difficult
classes at once. I wish I would have balanced my course load better,
taking some easy classes mixed with some harder ones.”
“I wish I would have known that I would love college life so much and
that wherever I ended up going to school I would love it. I stressed a
lot about deciding where to go and in the end I made the right decision
for me and absolutely love my school.”
Source:
Raison (2006) - Freshman Preparedness Advice Survey.
Ohio State University, CFAES, Dept. of Extension.
8. What one piece of advice would you give a
college-bound student?
(Top is # respondents;
Bottom is %.)
Join clubs and activities
2005-2006
Find a Balance
Freshman Preparedness
Advice Survey
n=193 current collegians
responding,
freshmen-grad school
Make Friends / Be Open
Enjoy Yourself / Have Fun
Study
Just Be Yourself
Be Careful / Campus Safety
Talk with your Professors
Manage Your Time
Source:
Raison (2006) - Freshman Preparedness Advice Survey.
Ohio State University, CFAES, Dept. of Extension.
35
18%
30
15%
25
13%
24
13%
21
11%
18
9%
17
9%
12
6%
11
6%
Get Involved…
Participate in a pre-orientation event! At Cornell,
incoming freshmen can participate in a week-long
camping trip or service trip. That trip was the ONLY
reason why my transition to college was a hundred
times easier than I ever expected.
Get involved in campus groups or activities, the nonacademic activities and friends are what keeps you
sane come crunch time.
get out there! Get involved! It truly affects your level
of happiness on campus and gives you some
motivation during the monotonous weekly schedules
Source: 1st Year College Advice Survey. CFAES, Dept. of Extension, The Ohio State University. 2007.
Get Involved…
Get involved in activities. You meet so many people
that way AND you get to meet people who have the
same interests as you
Get involved on campus right away. It's the best
way to get connected with people you may have
never had the chance to know. Try to get out of
your comfort zone.
wait a month or two before getting too involved…
make sure you keep academics first. Get a grasp on
those - then you can branch out.
Source: 1st Year College Advice Survey. CFAES, Dept. of Extension, The Ohio State University. 2007.
Today – HS Outreach
College 101: Strategies for 1st Year Success
Reach:
450+ locations; 36 states
University colleagues; youth development specialists;
high school counselors; faith-based & non-profits
Evaluation:
3,500+ students;
16 states;
781 evaluations collected
88.6% said they “learned new information, were glad they
took the class and/or would recommend the program to a
friend.”
138 from this group were tracked
2007 Participant
Follow-up Survey
n=138
TO: College 101 program participants
This past spring/summer, you attended the College 101: Strategies for
1st Year Success seminar. You’re now in college… and we would like your
help to improve the class. Could you take a moment and provide input?
Key Questions:
1. The goal of College 101 was to provide a ‘heads up’ on topics
before you went away to college. To what extent did the
program help you feel more prepared for…
2. What surprised you most during your first quarter/semester as
a college freshman?
3. What were you least prepared for your first quarter/semester?
4. What topic would you add or expand to improve College 101 for
future students?
5. Would you recommend it to a college-bound friend?
2007 Participant
Follow-up Survey
What topic would you add or expand to
improve College 101 for future students?
1 homesickness
2 Money/Budgeting & New Academic Challenges
3 Organizational skill
4 Time Managemnt (sic)
5 I would stress the difference between high school and college from the
course work angle.
6 Emphasize how important staying on top of assignments and studying
really is.
7 things people don't tell you about that are really important such as
going to tutors sooner rather than later, study in the library were it is
quiet, always sit close to the front.
What surprised you most during your first
quarter/semester as a college freshman?
- lots of free time
- Dorm life
- It was a huge cultire (sic) shock
- I felt that I was prepared to handly (sic) to transition from home to
college. How wrong I was. I could not believe how much I miss home
and how homesick I was the first few weeks.
- the peer pressure to drink
- How stressful classes are!
- Total lack of supervision
- How willing everyone was to meet and get to know others.
Copyright © 2007. Brian Raison. College 101 Seminars. All rights reserved.
Self-Study Guide
Welcome:
Thanks for checking out this college
prep program. You’re about to hear a
ton of advice from current college
students from around the country. In
fact, this entire program is based on
what they told us you need to know
before you head off to school
To navigate through this self-study
edition, just use your “down” or “right”
arrow key Look for this dialogue box on many of
the slides. It will serve as your "guide”
or electronic narrator.
Copyright © 2007. Brian Raison. College 101 Seminars. All rights reserved.
Self-Study Guide
Along with Joe, you’ll get to hear
from over 25 other college
students. They are all currently
enrolled in school.
We shot this video footage during
Fall Quarter 2006 and Spring
Quarter 2007… current stuff.
VIDEO CLIP: Hi-I’m-Joe Intro
Your turn:
What do you want to get out of college?
Or,
What does it mean to be successful in college?
Take a minute to write down a
couple of ideas here.
If you’re going through this
with your parents, share your
answer with them.
Self-Study Guide
Some of you can immediately list what
you are going to study in college!
Excellent. Other people have no idea.
They may be “undeclared” for their first 3
years. THAT’S OKAY TOO! So don’t
worry if you haven’t decided.
Self-Study Guide
This photograph appeared in National
Geographic magazine a couple of years
ago.
The photographer, Amy Toensing, went
to school at Ohio University (in Athens)
specifically to study photojournalism.
She has been quite successful. Her most
recent photos appeared in both January
and October 2006 issues of National
Geographic.
The bottom line is that you can be
successful in whatever area you pursue.
Just decide. And just do it.
SOURCE: Amy Toensing. July 2001. Used by permission.
DormLife
Managing Time, Money, Mid-Terms, Labs, Laundry
RoomMateCrazies
Studying
C h
a
n
g
e
Are you ready for a change?
What’s next?
Research New Program
1st Target:
High School Counselors;
youth educators;
faith-based and community programs.
Format:
- Stand-alone seminar (1 or 2-hour versions
- Classroom series: 4 lessons of 1 hour each.
- Self-Study: for students & parents.
2nd Target: Colleges & Universities
Orientation / Welcome Week / FYE / Admissions
College 101:
Customized
Now available for First
Year Experience and
Admissions to send to
enrolled students.
Branded for your
University.
Site license plus onetime customization
fee.
ABOUT the curriculum
For seminar attendees…
Free previews available.
(complete curriculum with
handouts, leader guide, etc.)
High Schools and Non-Profits
2007 purchase price = $159
Colleges and Universities:
2008 License Fee = $1 per student
(for orientation, welcome week,
and FYE classes)
Information is online at
http://college101seminars.com
College 101: Strategies for 1st Year Success
is a copyrighted, for-sale product. We have
invested substantial resources to create this
curriculum. It may be used for intended, enduse purposes only. No copyrighted material or
other content may be copied, distributed,
downloaded, modified, reproduced, published,
or otherwise used in any way whatsoever
without express written consent of the author.
Email:
[email protected]
Copyright © 2007 by Brian Raison. College 101 Seminars.
All rights reserved.
2007-08 License Fee Options & Order Form:
Give your enrolled students an edge before they arrive on campus. College 101 is designed to compliment your existing
orientation, welcome week, or first year experience classes. The research-based CD-ROM program is formatted as a
seminar, classroom series and self-study.
The College 101 Seminars Press shall grant your college or university a nonexclusive license to teach or distribute this
program to your incoming students—customized with your school name, colors, logos, and campus photos:
Program Use
Description
Unit Price
Quantity
Line Total
Orientation
Welcome Week
FYE Class
Full version with handouts
and instructor’s guide; teach
in seminar or class. No
distribution to students.
$1.00 per student
______
________
For Distribution to Students, add:
CD-ROM
Free paper sleeve with
window.
Self-Study version for
students and parents.
Custom label on disk.
(Not assembled.)
1,000 or more
= $1.85
(Under 1,000
= $2.60)
______
+_______
Full Packaging
This adds a DVD-style case
with custom cover and insert.
(Assembled and ready to
distribute.)
1,000 or more
= $1.80
(Under 1,000
= $2.10)
______
+_______
*Customization: There is a one-time set-up fee to add your school name, logo, mascot,
campus photos, and school colors on key slides in the actual program.
+ $500_
*For customization, buyer grants College 101 Seminars
the right to use photos and logos from their web site (or
will supply photos) for buyer’s school custom package.
=_______
TOTAL
Invoice & Online Orders at http://college101seminars.com
E-mail your order. We’ll send an invoice.