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Research Highlights
GC Students Share Ideas About Preparing for College
by Jeanne L. Higbee
Senior Faculty Advisor for Research
In the last CRDEUL e-Newsletter
I shared the results of a survey of postsecondary and secondary school faculty and staff participants in the Twin Cities Metropolitan Higher Education Consortium Developmental Education Initiative during fall semester 2004. I followed up that research by administering a brief questionnaire to 68 first-semester General College students enrolled in the course GC 1086: The First-Year Experience. Forty-one students (65%) provided consent for us to report their responses. What is interesting, but not really surprising, is the extent to which students' responses mirrored those of faculty and staff .
1. Do you think that graduating from high school means that you are ready for college?
Four students responded yes, or at least that this should be the case. Seventeen students were emphatic in indicating that high school does not provide adequate preparation for college. Three of the students specifically answered "yes and no," and addressed aspects of high school that assisted college preparation, and other aspects that could be improved. Ten students in some way conveyed that whether or not graduating from high school prepared one for college depended upon the individual student and the choices the student makes. Several wrote about motivation as well as skill development. Two respondents thought that it depended upon the high school one attended. Finally, one student wrote that taking a year off between high school and college made all the difference and contributed to valuing the college experience.
2. What advice would you give to high school freshmen and sophomores
to help prepare them for college?
Fourteen respondents advised high school freshmen and sophomores to get good grades and begin building a high grade point average early. Thirteen wrote about enrolling in difficult and challenging courses and taking advantage of opportunities to take honors, writing-intensive, and advanced placement courses. Two specifically mentioned taking as much math and science as possible. Ten students urged freshmen and sophomores to work hard and develop good study habits-that a strong work ethic is important. Seven discussed the importance of getting involved in extracurricular activities. Two specifically mentioned engaging in volunteer work. Six students articulated the importance of doing high school homework assignments in preparation for college. Four advised enjoying free time. Three students discussed the importance of exploring career options in preparation for choosing a major, but one advised high schoolers to not get worried "if you don't know yet what you want to do." Two addressed attendance issues: "Don't ditch classes." Other student comments included, "Read, read, read!" and "Take classes that inspire you!"
3. What advice would you give to high school seniors
to better prepare them for college?
In this set of responses there was a greater emphasis on researching colleges, taking tours, learning application procedures, keeping abreast of deadlines, applying early, and pursuing opportunities for financial aid. Other advice mentioned by several respondents that was specific to the senior year included to learn "when and when not to party," "don't slack off," "enjoy your last year at home," and "try new things."
4. What is the one piece of information that you think it is most important for an incoming college student to know? Why?
Fourteen students asserted something to the effect that " Good time management is the key to a success to college." Other notable responses included urging students to attend their classes, ask questions, know where and how to get help, and "Be prepared to be a little lonely." One student wrote, "College is supposed to be the best time of your life, you make it what you want it to be." Perhaps another student summed it up best, saying, ". . . to be successful in college you do not have to be the smartest. You just have to be willing to do what needs to be done in order to succeed."
A more detailed report on these research findings will be included in the next CRDEUL monograph, due out in fall 2005.
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