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Academic achievement in first-year university: who maintains their high school average?

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Abstract

The present study investigates the characteristics which differentiate between first-year university students who maintain their high school averages (Maintainers: n = 165) and those whose averages decrease at least one letter grade (Decliners: n = 435). The 600 students entered first year at one of six Canadian Universities, which varied in size and ethnic diversity. Data were collected in August, prior to the start of school, and in November of first year. Multivariate analyses indicated significant group differences between Maintainers and Decliners on familial variables (gender, fathers’ education level, but not family income, parental reciprocity, parental support or immigrant/generational status), psychological well-being (perceived stress in August and November, and November depression, self-esteem and health), and university adjustment (university plans, transition perception, time management and university adaptation). The current study addresses a gap in the existing academic achievement literature, while providing practical information to students, parents, and educators involved in the transition to university.

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Notes

  1. Regarding gender t(1,1073) = −4.232, p < .000, participants included in the sample consisted of a lower proportion of male students (32.6% vs. 45.3%) and a higher proportion of female students (67.4% vs. 54.7%). The difference in high school average t(1,975) = −3.164, p = .002, indicated the present sample achieved a higher high school average (M = 84.24 vs. 83.00). Finally the present sample had a higher score on the November 2004 SACQ attachment subscale scores (1,798) = −2.902, p = .004, than the excluded participants (M = 99.47 vs. M = 94.04).

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Acknowledgments

This research was partially funded by a SSHRC grant to the third author, a RAY fellowship to the second author.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Psychology, York University, 4700 Keele Street, Toronto, ON, M3J 1P3, Canada

    Maxine Gallander Wintre & Barry Dilouya

  2. Wilfrid Laurier University, Waterloo, ON, Canada

    S. Mark Pancer & Michael W. Pratt

  3. Memorial University, St. John’s, NF, Canada

    Shelly Birnie-Lefcovitch

  4. University of Toronto, Mississauga, ON, Canada

    Janet Polivy

  5. University of Guelph, Guelph, ON, Canada

    Gerald Adams

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  1. Maxine Gallander Wintre
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Correspondence to Maxine Gallander Wintre.

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Wintre, M.G., Dilouya, B., Pancer, S.M. et al. Academic achievement in first-year university: who maintains their high school average?. High Educ 62, 467–481 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10734-010-9399-2

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