Learning How to be a Successful Student: Exploring the Impact of First-Year Seminars on Student Outcomes

This study uses longitudinal data comprised of responses to the Cooperative Institutional Research Program's (CIRP) 2000 Freshman Survey and the 2001 Your First College Year (YFCY) Survey to investigate the impact of first-year seminars on key student outcomes. Specifically, descriptive analyses address the relationship between taking a first-year seminar and the academic and social experiences of first-year students. Further, regression analyses evaluate the direct and indirect effects of first-year seminar participation on students' feelings of personal success at establishing a network of peers, forging meaningful connections with faculty and staff, and using campus services. Ultimately, these findings speak to the effectiveness of first-year seminars as a means of facilitating the transition from high school to college.