Abstract:

Data provide by universities has consistently shown that there is a much greater chance of matriculation for students that have had immediate family members graduate from college. These continuing-generation college students (CGCS) not only have a higher graduation rate, but also tend to do better in school, than first-generation college students (FGCS). But some FGCS do succeed in college and graduate. An important issue in education is to attempt to determine what can increase a FGCS’s chance to graduate. Research suggests that the more FGCS believe that they are supported by their families -- or perceive social support (PSS) -- the more that they believe that they will succeed in college. This belief in their own success, or academic self-efficacy (ASS) may be a key component to their actual success. Belief in oneself can be a great motivator.

In late 2019, an online survey was administered students at a large southern university. The questionnaire asked for demographic information, whether they were an FGCS or a CGCS, whether or not they felt that they had support from their family (PSS), and also how confident they were that they would succeed in college -- or academic self-efficacy (ASE). Results indicated a positive relationship between the belief that a student received support in their college pursuits from their family (PSS) and the student’s belief that they would succeed in college (ASE). Additional analyses determined that the number of supporters did not matter – as long as some support was obtained.

Keywords:

First-generation college students, matriculation inequity, perceived social support, academic self-efficacy.