‘Hardworking, determined and happy’: first-year students’ understanding and experience of success

Catherine Picton; Ella R Kahu; Karen J Nelson

doi:10.1080/07294360.2018.1478803

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‘Hardworking, determined and happy’: first-year students’ understanding and experience of success

Journal article

Open access

Peer reviewed

‘Hardworking, determined and happy’: first-year students’ understanding and experience of success

Catherine Picton, Ella R Kahu and Karen J Nelson

Higher Education Research & Development, Vol.37(6), pp.1260-1273

2018

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/07294360.2018.1478803

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Abstract

student success

student engagement

first-year experience

While all agree student success in higher education is important, there is less agreement on what it means to be a successful student. Student success is often measured by institutional reports of grades, student retention and qualification completion. More recently, broader definitions have emerged; however, these do not incorporate student perceptions of success. The current study addresses this gap by exploring how first-year students talk about their success. Drawing from weekly interviews of students at an Australian regional university, the data are analysed through the lens of a conceptual framework of student engagement. The findings demonstrate that success is inextricably linked with student engagement as well as other dimensions of the student experience. As expected, students assess their success extrinsically with institutional measures such as grades and feedback. In addition, their behavioural engagement was seen as a more immediate measure of their success, while happiness and satisfaction were necessary for some students to feel successful. Perceptions of success have important consequences for students in terms of increased positive emotions, self-efficacy and course belonging. Success for these students has multiple dimensions. These findings give rise to suggestions for a staged approach to supporting first-year student success. However, the student experience is complex and multifaceted and further research is needed with different student cohorts who may define and experience success in other ways.

Details

Title: ‘Hardworking, determined and happy’: first-year students’ understanding and experience of success
Authors: Catherine Picton (Author) - University of the Sunshine Coast
Ella R Kahu (Author) - Massey University, New Zealand
Karen J Nelson (Author) - University of the Sunshine Coast
Publication details: Higher Education Research & Development, Vol.37(6), pp.1260-1273
Publisher: Routledge
Date published: 2018
DOI: 10.1080/07294360.2018.1478803
ISSN: 0729-4360
Copyright note: Copyright © The Authors 2018. This is an Author's Accepted Manuscript of an article published in Higher Education Research & Development 2018, available online: http://www.tandfonline.com/10.1080/07294360.2018.1478803
Organisation Unit: School of Social Sciences - Legacy; University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland; Student Services and Engagement; Office of the Pro Vice-Chancellor (Students)
Language: English
Record Identifier: 99450771702621
Output Type: Journal article

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