Research demonstrates that student retention and performance improve when students participate in carefully designed and well-presented student success courses.

Student success courses and freshman seminar programs help students learn to be more effective in school and thereby improve student academic performance and persistence.

These courses are sometimes designed and tailored specifically for honors students, returning adults, athletes, undeclared majors, majors by discipline, or all entering freshmen. These courses go by many names, such as Student Success, College Survival, College Success, Freshman Seminar, Extended Orientation, Academic and Life Skills, or College Skills. Student success courses, as described in this booklet, do not include remedial courses in English, math, reading, or study skills.

Course content generally includes academic skills, life management skills, and information about the school and community. Specific topics may include goal-setting, college-level reading, time management, memory, note taking, test taking, stress reduction, critical thinking, creativity, library skills, communication, assertiveness, wellness, relationships, cross-cultural and interracial issues, drug and alcohol issues, learning styles, community resources, campus history, the history of higher education, the value of a liberal arts education, institutional policies and procedures, financial planning, organizational skills, and career planning.