Effects of an Outdoor Orientation Program on Self-efficacy Relative to First-year Student Success

Download or read book Effects of an Outdoor Orientation Program on Self-efficacy Relative to First-year Student Success written by Tricia Anne Dailey Seifert and published by . This book was released on 2003 with total page 200 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: The purpose of this study was to investigate what effect, if any, an outdoor orientation program conducted at a comprehensive public institution in the Northwest school had on first-year students' self-efficacy relative to success in their first year of college, measured as academic and social integration. A random sample of students who registered for the raft/hike option of the FOOTsteps program and a random sample of students not registered for FOOTsteps or for the university's orientation class were sent surveys through campus mail. These surveys asked them to rate their confidence in completing tasks associated with academic and social integration into the college setting. While no statistically significant difference between the groups was found, time was a significant factor in increasing efficacy expectations for both groups. Additionally, the study looked to see if there were any differential effects of the treatment program on participants' self-efficacy depending on the participants' prior outdoor adventure experience. Again, no statistically significant differences were found. Despite these insignificant statistical results, it was found through focus groups and participant journals that the outdoor orientation program aided in the participants ability to develop social connections and make friends, thus moderating the anxiety of the beginning of college.