In higher education, student success is a widely used yet insufficiently defined concept. While some students equate success with academic performance, others view it through lenses of personal development, career preparation, or perseverance in overcoming obstacles. These varied definitions are shaped by diverse personal, environmental,
Geniuses are inherently fascinating. The notion that a lucky few have innate abilities to push the boundaries of what’s possible and rise far above us mere mortals gives hope that humankind can progress to unimaginable levels, even as it reminds most of us that we’re
Students taking online classes represent a key part of the college-attending population. Demand for online classes and online degrees has surged in recent years, particularly since the Covid-19 pandemic (Knox 2025). But fully online students are less likely to successfully complete classes and to graduate
I teach a lot of 100-level courses—the kind all students need to take from multiple disciplines to satisfy general education requirements. Often these courses are full of college first-years, but I’ve discovered that, whatever year they are, students harbor deep misconceptions about how learning works.
The asynchronous nature of online learning makes it hard for students to develop a structured schedule since they lack the built-in class times of traditional courses. Additionally, online education attracts many nontraditional adult learners who juggle numerous responsibilities, further straining their schedules.
Student success in online course discussion assignments depends on not only understanding the learning material but also developing fundamental academic skills needed for future course success. While online instructors often create videos focused on course content, and institutions might provide general skill-building resources or access
An integral part of the college experience is the exploration of possible academic majors and career paths that align with personal interests, passions, and skills. Data concerning how students accomplish this task is rather shocking. Students typically use family members (52 percent), social media like
The goal of a liberal arts education at the college level is to imbue students with a broad education that allows them to think critically, communicate clearly, and problem-solve from various perspectives. As part of the foundation of their liberal arts education, students take courses
It’s always disheartening to peek at a student’s notes after class and discover how far they are from capturing what was covered. This is partly due to students’ trying to capture everything said, like a scribe. Students should instead take “deep notes” that summarize the
In an ever-changing academic environment, instructors are constantly seeking innovative ways to engage our students and prepare them for success, both in our courses and beyond. How can we increase the likelihood that our class material translates into skills that students will use later in
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