I would have continued if… What the students tell us about retention

I would have continued if…What the students tell us about retention Margaret Heagney, Fran Ferrier & Michael Long Monash University Australia

The survey • Stay, Play and Give it Away, Attrition study for the Federal Govt. • 13,500 students surveyed in 14 unis • Tracked subsequent enrolment and other outcomes of students who discontinued • Focus “In their Own Words” section

Key Findings • Three types of attrition: • Withdrawal • Change courses • Change universities

Causes of Attrition • Different life stage – different causes • Withdrawers – older students ( full timers and main carers of children • The changers – mainly younger students • Course changers • University changers ( strategic for some students)

Older students – work/life balance I would have continued if…)Icould have had more work/study balance; more time off work; could have studied full-time. In reality, I was not prepared for the time required and finding a balance between home, work and study proved difficult. I also feel I should have selected fewer subjects. I was working night shift and was just too tired to attend lectures during the day. I was falling asleep in evening lecture & tutorials after working a 12-hr day. It was very hard to concentrate in class

Older students • Family Issues (I would have continued if…) Combining study, work and family commitments were impossible, without causing major panic, anxiety attacks to occur. University is not family friendly, it takes over your whole life in each semester. You find yourself re - introducing yourself to your family at the end of semesters. Found it very difficult to be "super mum" i.e. study, work, manage family & maintain a healthy relationship with my very supportive husband.

Older students – family issues I found the demands of caring for my children alone (one of whom is disabled) and maintaining contact with friends too great, I just didn't have enough time to maintain a house and family as well as complete the set study for my courses. I would have continued if…) I could have a balance between my family commitments and studies. Specially with young children. It was hard to continue my studies without a big support from someone else.

Younger students changing courses I was not enjoying the course and was anxious and unhappy at the thought of pursuing a career in this job. I was not interested in or good at commerce and considered the prospect of future career in it repulsive. I became interested in politics and decided to enrol in an arts degree in 2nd semester 2005.

Younger students changing courses Work experiences change career plans: Did some trade work experience over the summer break and really enjoyed the work & got offered an apprenticeship I was offered a promotion at work. I have decided to change my course due to my work. My degree was related to my work but I have changed my career Offered job in army

Changing University because I was so far away from my family & friends so I changed to a university that was closer to home. I changed to X university because it was close to home, previous school, work & friends. my uni was in [a regional centre] - my family and friends lived in Brisbane. I really enjoyed (the university) it's a great uni even better that the one I am at now. I just missed my family and friends too much (I would have continued if…)…. I knew more people who went to my uni…all my school friends were at different unis

Moving Up The course I enrolled in 2004 was not something that I wanted to pursue as a career… it was the only university course I was accepted into based upon my year 12 results. My main aim was at least get into uni and eventually transfer into something I like (which is what I’ve done) The course I enrolled in wasn't what I wanted to do to take my chosen career. It was intended as a 'stepping stone' to another course. Not my first choice of study/career direction but my (tertiary entrance) score wouldn't allow me to enrol in my preferred course.

Adjusting to University I had to move away from home, as my family lives in a rural area. Not only did I have to get used to going to university, I had to get used to the city & living independently. I also did not receive much financial support from the government (I received rent assistance), making it difficult for me to take part in social activities & therefore meet new people and to enjoy 'city life'. I do not feel universities cater enough for rural students.

Adjusting to University • (I would have continued if…) the change from high school to university was smoother. • The difference was too intimidating and extreme from the comfort I experienced from high school. • Overall, I was very uncomfortable at university. I didn't want to ask questions or ask for help due to embarrassment. The lifestyles, atmosphere, course and pressure weren’t at all what I was expecting and the change was too vast.

A long way from home (I would have continued if…) I had not had to live away from home, and I had some friends with me. Also it was expensive to live away from home, tiring to travel…I wanted to live at home. I was lonely boarding I felt very alone at the uni and along way from home. I was living 800km away from boyfriend of 5 years also family and friends (The) uni was dirty, smoky/smelly and certainly not welcoming or appealing.

Making friends • I missed home a lot-family/friends/boyfriend. I also find it hard to make friends at such a large uni. • Thought that the uni was a cold place. The timetable was such that in different semesters you wouldn't meet the same people. Hence you did not make close friends. • (I would have continued if…) I had of found it easier to make friends I didn't enjoy being at the university campus and found I had nobody to talk to… • I found the university very large and I didn't like the campus. Mainly I felt too lonely and didn't enjoy going to that university everyday.

Cross age issues – connecting with teachers • I felt very invisible in a course with 800 students … there was no one on one interaction with teachers. They talk to you on that huge stage that you feel they’re celebrities. They don't allow for you to contact them, basically teaching staff were extremely unapproachable that I thought there's no difference doing this by correspondence… • (I would have continued if…) more help was offered with my work and if greater interaction between students and teachers were completed such as smaller classes allowing greater interaction.

Cross age issues – how things work Not understanding how things work Lack of support from teachers etc., lack of “how Uni works” knowledge, i.e. essay writing, Web CT

Cross age issues & implications • Quality of teaching and support services • Travel to university • Student Income Support • Career guidance – ‘Not knowing what course best suits me as I couldn’t find the right person to talk to about it” • Exit procedures

Contacts frances.ferrier@adm.monash.edu.au Stay, play or give it away? Students continuing, changing or leaving university study in first year http://www.dest.gov.au/sectors/higher_education/ publications_resources/profiles/stay_play_giveaway.htm Margaret Heagney margaret.heagney@adm.monash.edu.au

I would have continued if… What the students tell us about retention