First-year college retention rates are dropping at alarming rates, resulting in individual, institutional and global detriments. The decline is largely due to the inability of students to socially and emotionally navigate the transition into college life. This qualitative study, using semi-structured interviews sought to identify themes that contributed to a successful first-year experience by examining the lived experiences of participants during their adolescences. Eight participants, having recently completed a self-described successful first-year experience at a four-year college, and having attended a residential summer camp during adolescence, were interviewed using interpretive phenomenological analysis. Applying the social cognitive theory to responses, data determined specific elements of their time spent at a camp, that directly contributed to their positive post-secondary assimilation. Six themes of social emotional competencies emerged from the transcript analysis: self-care, empathy, self-advocacy, resilience and independence. [The dissertation citations contained here are published with the permission of ProQuest LLC. Further reproduction is prohibited without permission. Copies of dissertations may be obtained by Telephone (800) 1-800-521-0600. Web page: http://www.proquest.com/en-US/products/dissertations/individuals.shtml.]