Abstract
Understanding the process of transition that students go through as they enter college is advantageous in guiding them and developing programming for them. It is also beneficial to understand that having their most basic of needs met is a critical element if they are to have a successful transition. In an effort to gain further understanding, the researcher examined Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs theory (Francis, 2012), Schlossberg’s Transition theory (Evans, Forney, Guido, Patton & Renn, 2010) and Chickering’s Adult Transition theory (Evans, et al., 2010). The purpose of this study is to understand, from the student perspective what helps students to have a successful transition to college during the freshman year. It is critical for freshman students to have a successful transition to college. If they are not successful during their first year, they are likely to not continue and complete their college education (Mayhew, Vanderlinden & Kim, 2009). This poses a problem for institutions that put effort into recruiting students; it is vital that they retain the students they recruit. It also creates an issue for the student and their families. Many universities have special programs targeting freshman students in an effort to aide in their transition and help it to be a successful year. The institution has a responsibility to provide students with every possible opportunity for success (Mayhew et al., 2009). An online questionnaire was distributed via email to currently enrolled students that had completed a freshman seminar course during their academic career at a public university in Northern California. There were 62 respondents; 43 of those respondents identified as female and 14 identified as male. Twenty-seven respondents were in their fourth year of college; twenty-one of respondents indicated they were in their fifth year of college. The research presented in this study indicates how most respondents found social activities and the freshman seminar course to be the most beneficial in their transition to college. Further research could be conducted to investigate what specifically students find to be beneficial in the freshman seminar course and how to improve the curriculum. This information can help to guide administrators as they plan programming and coursework for freshman students.