GENERAL AND PRACTICAL STRATEGIES THAT PREDICT COLLEGE SUCCESS PRESENTED BY: ETHAN SCHWEHR, LICENSED PSYCHOLOGIST

OVERVIEW Discuss common predictors of college success Review non-cognitive predictors of college success Cover resources that are available

WHAT IS COLLEGE SUCCESS?? It is simply obtaining the requirements needed for the completion of a degree To ensure success, it will be based on multiple factors. “It takes more than one ingredient to bake a cake.”

COMMON PREDICTORS OF COLLEGE SUCCESS HIGH SCHOOL Absences less than 10% No more than one failure in ninth grade 3.0 GPA ACT scores 18 English 21 Reading 22 Mathematics 24 Science COLLEGE Completion of mathematics and English gateway courses 15 credits per semester Complete orientation program >3.0 GPA Immediate enrollment after high school Working less than 15 hours per week Participation in extracurricular activities (American Institutes for Research, 2013)

PREDICTORS OF FIRST YEAR SUCCESS English Students who finished with a C or better in their freshman college course were more likely to pass writing classes in high school. Those who were proficient in writing passed freshman English courses 58% of the time (advanced proficiency 84%) Math Students who finished with a C or better in their freshman college course were more likely to have passed Algebra II during high school. Those who were proficient in Algebra II passed freshman math courses 54% of the time (advanced proficiency was 85%) (College and Career Readiness Initiative, 2012)

WHAT CAN YOU DO WHEN YOU GET TO COLLEGE?

GET CONNECTED Professors Peers College Resources With Yourself

GETTING CONNECTED WITH…PROFESSORS Professors are going to make a huge impact on your college experience. Selection Research your professors and find classes that fit with your learning style. Interaction Know how to communicate In class Show up Let your presence be known (in a positive way) Professors are not only there for teaching and giving you grades They may help in helping you explore career fields Could help provide connections with internships/jobs Can provide recommendations for graduate school, scholarships, or employment Beiderwell, Tse, Lochhaas, & deKanter, 2010; Gardinier Halstead, 2014; Jacobs & Hyman, 2015)

GETTING CONNECTED WITH…PEERS Engagement is a solid predictor of college graduation and with life in general, stronger than high school GPA (Barton, 2016) When connected with others, there is greater chance for accountability and commitment Those that have greater connection to their universities have greater graduation rates Connections with peers include: Mentors Those with mentors have higher grades and after graduation have higher salaries (e.g. Big Brothers/Big Sisters) Groups There are many campus groups and organizations to research. Getting involved can help you meet people with similar interests and aspirations. (Beiderwell, Tse, Lochhaas, & deKanter, 2010)

GETTING CONNECTED WITH…COLLEGE RESOURCES Academic Advising Office Can help with picking out classes that will fit your degree requirements. Look for courses that are interesting and fit your mode of learning. See if you can obtain past syllabi from previous classes taught by a professor. Choose your classes carefully. Counseling Office Many colleges offer free or inexpensive counseling to help deal with stress or other emotional difficulties. Financial Aid Office More and more resources are available to assist with finances. Get information on your finances and budget the expenses you will need to complete your degree. The financial aid office will provide guidance to student loans and possible scholarship opportunities Tutoring and Skill Centers Many of these resources are free. Writing, math, and other centers are available. It is strongly recommended that you try writing centers at least once. Disability Services Most colleges have resources available to those who have a history or verification of a disability. If you are able to receive some sort of accommodation or services, seek it out. Library Get to know your librarian and how to navigate this pivotal resource

GETTING CONNECTED WITH…YOURSELF Grandma Rules Sleep Exercise Diet Meditation/Mindfulness marc.ucla.edu

GETTING CONNECTED WITH…YOURSELF Health Grandma’s Rules Emotional/Physical Time Management Schedule Study Time ( Schedule Fun Time Limit Distractions Stress Management Set Goals SMART (Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Realistic, Timely) Set goals for each facet of life (e.g. physical, academic, social, spiritual)

REFERENCES American Institutes for Research, College & Career Readiness & Success Center. (2013). Predictors of postsecondary success. American Institutes for Research. Retrieved from americaninstitutesforresearchpredictorsofpostsecondarysuccess Barton, D. (2015, September 16). The most important factor in a college student’s success. The Wall Street Journal. Beiderwell, B., Tse, L., Lochhaas, T., & deKanter, N. (2010). College Success. Retrieved from: College%20Success.pdf College and Career Readiness Initiative. (2012). High school predictors of college readiness: Determinants of high school graduates’ enrollment and successful completion of first-year mathematics and English college courses in Virginia. Retrieved from research/determinants_of_enrollment_and_completion_of_english_and_mathemath cs.pdf Gardinier Halstead, A. (2014, October). A professor’s pointers for success in college: 21 easy-to-follow tips. Huffington Post. Retrieved from: ann-marie-gardinier-halstead/a-professors-pointers-for_b_ html Jacobs, L., & Hyman, J. (2015, October). The secrets of college success. Retrieved from:

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