The Catholic University for Independent Thinkers
Research indicates that students who are involved in out-of-class activities make friends more quickly and feel a greater sense of satisfaction with their college experience than those who do not. Engaging in co-curricular activities also presents students with opportunities to enhance their leadership skills, decision-making ability, time management skills, and ability to work in teams.
Research indicates that students who interact with their faculty or staff members outside of class feel more comfortable in their new environment and more acclimated to college. Toward middle to late September, ask how many staff and instructors he or she has visited during office hours.
Developing sound time management and study skills are often challenging for new students. College course work tends to require students to engage in more self-directed study outside of the classroom and complete a higher volume of work. Research suggests that students who commit to a 30 to 40 hour academic week (hours in class + hours studying = 30-40 hours) tend to achieve more academic success then peers who do not put forth appropriate study time.
Adapted from Mullendore, R.H., and Banahan, L. (2007). Empowering parents of first-year college students: A guide for success. National Orientation Directors Association and the National Resource Center for the First-Year Experience and Students in transition, Columbia, South Carolina.
