As new students have just completed their first week of college courses, a survey was conducted in order to conclude how successful the first-year students have adjusted to life at Longwood University. The survey itself had five questions; each was designed to ask about a different facet of going to college. Each question included a scale from one to five in order to show the participants' feelings on each aspect of college life. Space was given under the questions in order for students who had contributed to the survey to leave a comment if they wished.
GRAPHS:
For the first question, the average response was a 3.98/5. Only 2.1 percent of students reported a 1/5, indicating some fairly severe homesickness, with an additional 4.2 percent saying 2/5. The overall impression, statistically, was positive with over 75 percent of students reporting a four or five out of five.
“I’ve missed my parents, but I’ve made plenty of new friends,” said Dereck Holmberg, a physics major.
Freshman were asked "On a scale from one to five, how well do you get along with your roommates and suitemates?" The average response was 4.27/5. Over 85 percent of students responded with a 4/5 or 5/5. Only 2.1 percent of students reported a 1/5, with only another 2.1 percent reporting a 2/5.
“I was initially nervous about living with and meeting all my roommates, but now that we've gotten to know each other so well, we're like sisters,” said Karen Butler.
For the third question, the average response was 3.73/5. Academically, the highest percentage of 46.8 percent of students reported a 4/5, indicating that most of the first year students are having a smooth academic transition. No students reported a 1/5, and a little less than 1/3 of students chose 2/5 or 3/5.
“The biggest thing that takes adjusting is how much free time I’ve got,” said Liz Bradley, a liberal arts major.
For the fourth question, the average response was 3.60/5. In terms of preparedness, over 70 percent of students felt that high school and life before college had somewhat prepared them for post-secondary education, rating their preparation at a 3/5 or 4/5. Only about 10 percent of students chose 1/5 or 2/5, indicating a low level of preparation.
“I'm used to having seven classes a day, but I am actually enjoying the classes very well. With only three to four classes a day, it leaves so much more time to complete assignments and homework accordingly,” said Butler.
The average for the fifth question was 4.02/5. Most college students find that socializing in college is different. Over 70 percent of respondents indicated four or five out of five, saying that making friends and socializing in college was very different that in high school.
“In college, I have way more meaningful friendships and conversations. It's less small talk and more meaningful to real life,” said Taylor.
Overall, life seems to going well for the new Lancers. According to thde results of the survey, there some minor concerns, but most people are adjusting well.
