First year university students are identified and categorized according to their motivations for enrolling in colleges. Characteristics and achievements of students with varying motivations are discussed, and changes in motivation during the first year of college are explored. Students were surveyed in the fall during the first 2 weeks of class to…

The literature on the development of college students is discussed, and recommendations are offered for developing a course on student development theory and research. The following observations about the literature are considered: (1) the literature on the college student is actually two separate literatures, one focused on outcomes and the other…

Five studies on college students are examined for their variety and meaning, and methodological advances leading to increased knowledge of factors affecting student progress are discussed. Researchers are challenged to overcome barriers to student growth identified in previous research. (Author/MSE)