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The Guarantor of Choice SM |
Edufacts™
November 2006
For students starting college, involved = happy
Although the college experience is centered on academics, learning can happen in many ways. A student's college education is greatly influenced by the activities — academic, social, athletic, and personal — in which he or she is involved. In transitioning to higher education, first-year seminars and orientation programs often set the stage for student expectations and their potential for success.
In fact, the Indiana University Center for Postsecondary Research includes the transition experience in its annual study of student engagement, defined as "frequency with which students participate in activities that represent effective educational practice." The results are compiled in its report, the 2005 National Survey of Student Engagement. The survey has polled more than 844,000 students from 972 four-year colleges and universities over the past five years.
Statistics from the most recent survey indicate that students who participate in orientation activities report feeling more connected with and supported by their college environment — a key to successfully achieving their higher education goals. These students also interacted more frequently with faculty and were more satisfied with their overall college experience.
In general, students should take advantage of first-year seminars or orientation programs if they are available. In particular, students should also take advantage of the help available in academic or tutoring centers, financial aid counseling, and career assistance programs. All of these factors can lead to greater success and satisfaction with the college experience.
TG's public service Web site at www.AIE.org provides resources and information that can also help students and families prepare for the higher education experience. Included are profiles of "A Day in the Life" of several students from colleges and universities. For more information about how to plan for college or how to finance higher education, visit www.AIE.org or call TG's customer assistance help center at (800) 845-6267.
Source: National Survey of Student Engagement 2005, Indiana University Center for Postsecondary Research
About TG
TG is a public, nonprofit corporation that helps create access to higher education for millions of families and students through its role as an administrator of the Federal Family Education Loan Program (FFELP). As a public service, TG provides Edufacts, a publication containing current information about education issues, on a monthly basis. Edufacts is one of the many ways in which TG promotes awareness of education issues, advising the public on national and state trends in education and student aid, and serving as a premier source of information.
High resolution files suitable for publication are available as a free download from TG’s web site at www.tgslc.org/edufacts/index.cfm. For more information, please e-mail or call michael.gee@tgslc.org or (512) 219-4990.
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