The Make-or-Break Year: What 1,500 First-Year Students Told Us About Belonging, Well-Being, and Success
November 12, 2025
11:00 AM PT/2:00 PM ET
The first year of college is often the most critical in determining student success and retention. EAB surveyed more than 1,500 first-year college students to better understand their experiences, needs, and expectations. Join this session, co-hosted with the League for Innovation in the Community College, to explore four key insights from this research that illuminate what helps (and hinders) students in their make-or-break year.
You’ll learn how to address students’ concerns about:
- Bias and belonging: One in three students has experienced bias or exclusion, impacting their sense of belonging on campus.
- Social connection: Many first-year students struggle to make friends and find community, yet those who do report significantly higher satisfaction and persistence.
- Mental health and safety: Two-thirds of students define a “safe” campus as one that prioritizes mental health and wellness above all else.
- Career readiness: Students increasingly judge the value of their education by their expected career outcomes, prioritizing job placement and experiential learning ahead of affordability.
Learn how colleges can use these insights to strengthen first-year success, improve communication, and foster a sense of connection that keeps students enrolled and thriving.
