2015 Your First College Year Survey
Main Content
Published September 2015
There's no doubt that college is a valuable experience.
Most students (88%) feel that their first year of college exposed them to diverse opinions, cultures, and values. And 58% feel their coursework was relevant to everyday life.
Infographic Key
National results are shown in black. University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign results are shown in blue.
Students strongly agree that their college has contributed to their:
Critical thinking skills
- 30% – Nationally
- 29.5% – University of Illinois
Knowledge of people from different races/cultures
- 24% – Nationally
- 29.8% – University of Illinois
Ability to work as part of a team
- 25% – Nationally
- 24.9% – University of Illinois
Classroom experiences have lasting effects …
Are satisfied with the relevance of coursework to their future career plans
- 62% – Nationally
- 57.6% – University of Illinois
Frequently felt courses inspired them to think new ways
- 43% – Nationally
- 41% – University of Illinois
Performed community service as part of a class
- 35% – Nationally
- 30.1% – University of Illinois
… when students are paying attention.
Were frequently bored in class
- 34% – Nationally
- 45.1% – University of Illinois
Texted during class
- 79% – Nationally
- 88.6% – University of Illinois
But college isn't all about the classroom. For at least 3 hours a week:
Were active in student clubs/groups
- 26% – Nationally
- 41.1% – University of Illinois
Partied
- 31% – Nationally
- 33.6% – University of Illinois
Exercised or played sports
- 56% – Nationally
- 55.1% – University of Illinois
Of course, financial aid is always a concern.
Of students have major concerns about paying for college
- 19% – Nationally
- 20.5% – University of Illinois
Felt their jobs interfered with schoolwork
- 37% – Nationally
- 29.3% – University of Illinois
Took advantage of financial aid advising
- 43% – Nationally
- 32.2% – University of Illinois
Took out loans for educational expenses
- 58% – Nationally
- 55.2% – University of Illinois
Balance is key …
Are satisfied with their social lives
- 63% – Nationally
- 60.9% – University of Illinois
Successfully balance academics and extracurriculars
- 79% – Nationally
- 73.7% – University of Illinois
Frequently maintain a healthy diet
- 28% – Nationally
- 21.9% – University of Illinois
… and so are support networks.
Turned to other students for advice or counseling
- 76% – Nationally
- 82.4% – University of Illinois
Frequently felt support from their family to succeed
- 58% – Nationally
- 53.7% – University of Illinois
Utilized student psychological services
- 22% – Nationally
- 17.4% – University of Illinois
Survey Source: CIRP Your First College Year Survey 2015
With insight from CIRP's Your First College Year Survey, the most comprehensive tool addressing first-year adjustment and persistence, you'll be one step closer to helping your students adjust to campus life while providing the best environment for learning.
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