This paper summarizes results of a study of 105 student-athletes enrolled in a first-year experience course. Students were asked, "What is the biggest unanswered question you have about college?" Results indicated that students' most burning questions were related to academics; relatively few student responses were directly related to…

This paper summarizes the responses of 103 student-athletes enrolled in a first-year experience course when asked, "What adjective best describes your first semester in college?" Not surprisingly, the most frequent descriptors were busy, fun, stressful, and different. The paper concludes by discussing the implications of collecting this…

States that freshmen college students are not developmentally ready to demonstrate higher-level thinking skills, particularly evaluation. Describes the Perry Scheme of intellectual and ethical development and Chickering's seven vectors of college student development as they assist faculty in comprehending the challenges freshmen face when…

Examined whether underprepared students participating in self-awareness course during their first quarter of college would show significant growth along developmental tasks as measured by Student Developmental Task Inventory. Findings from 83 underprepared first-year students enrolled in developmental education program suggest that participation…

Examined relationship between developmental tasks and academic achievement among first-term college freshmen (n=83) enrolled in program for students at risk. Results support limited relationship between growth on developmental tasks of young adulthood and academic performance of university freshmen. Sex differences also were found on predictors of…

The Developmental Inventory of Sources of Stress (DISS) is an instructional tool designed to assist counselors, advisors, and faculty in reducing stress among college students (specifically, high risk college freshmen, although it can be utilized effectively with any college student population). The instrument focuses on sources of stress over…

Describes the Developmental Inventory of Sources of Stress, an instructional tool to assist counselors, advisors, and faculty working with high-risk first-year students. The DISS helps students understand the sources of stress they can control. Describes the DISS's Time Management, Physical Lifestyle, Chemical Stressors, Academic and Interactive…

A model that includes three distinct syllabi for orientation courses for different subgroups of the college or university freshman population is presented. Among the groups with special needs are underprepared students who may be motivated but need skill development, and underachieving students characterized by untapped potential. One means of…

This report examines the relationship between affective variables and academic success among high-risk college freshmen. It summarizes research conducted on the impact of student goals, learning styles, mathematics and test anxiety, other sources of stress, and level of development on achievement among Developmental Studies students. Results are…

A course entitled "Strategies for Academic Success," conducted in the Division of Developmental Studies at the University of Georgia, is described. The sample syllabus focuses on self-awareness and can be adapted to meet the needs of other institutions. The course is designed to promote awareness and development of psychological, social,…

This paper describes the development of the University of Georgia's Division of Developmental Studies--a program providing special developmental instruction to students who otherwise would not have been admitted to the school. It consists of four components: English, mathematics, reading, and counseling. The objectives of each of these components…

Measures used at the Division of Developmental Studies at the University of Georgia in constructing a student profile (specifically, of high-risk college freshmen) are discussed. The areas measured concern: goals; learning styles; career exploration; stress and academic anxiety; developmental tasks; and locus of control. The goals checklist…