New data on the academic confidence and receptivity to help of incoming college freshmen

According to self-reported data from new college freshmen last year, many did not feel confident about their academic abilities, especially in the areas of math and science—findings which carry significance for the debate on producing more college graduates in STEM fields (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics).

Fewer than half of incoming students in 2012 felt they had a “very good grasp” of scientific ideas they had studied in high school. That figure dipped below 40 percent when asked about their confidence in biology. In addition, nearly half of all incoming students surveyed found math challenging.

The good news for campuses is that many incoming students were receptive to outreach. Nearly 60 percent wanted help with their study habits, and half said they would like individual assistance with improving their math skills. These findings show that campuses need to identify which students are receptive to assistance early in their first term, and then connect them as quickly as possible to the campuses resources they need to increase their academic confidence and proficiency.

The figures above are taken from the 2013 Freshman Attitudes Report, available free for download. That report is based on national data from the College Student Inventory™, an early-alert survey published by Noel-Levitz. If you have any questions about the report or about early intervention strategies, please contact Noel-Levitz.