College programmes may help grades and motivation, and keep a few more students enrolled.
HelpedThe short version
Across 107 results from 11,183 students, college programmes raised grades and grade averages more than other groups did.
- 107
- studies pooled
- 11,183
- college students in success programmes
- 2 tools
- tested
The review
Who took part
Mostly undergraduate college students, in 107 studies. The studies do not print ages or sex.
What they did
Most programmes were classes of several hours, led by a teacher or leader. Academic-skills classes taught study methods and time management. Others helped with stress and anxiety, helped new students settle in, or ran as a course for a whole semester.
What happened
Study-skills classes did best for grades, and emotional control, which covers anxiety, also went up. Across all programmes, grades, motivation and enrolment went up a bit more than in other groups. Some studies compared students only before and after, and quality was not rated.
What the review found
- HelpedGoals
Across 107 results from 11,183 students, college programmes raised grades and grade averages more than other groups did.
Pooled analysis of 107 studies with 11,183 people · vs students who did not take part · ⚠ whole programmes were tested, so no single part can be credited; mixes trials with other kinds of study
- HelpedGoals
In 16 results, study and time-management classes raised course grades more than other groups did.
Pooled analysis of 16 studies with 1,138 people · vs students who did not take the classes · ⚠ whole programmes were tested, so no single part can be credited; mixes trials with other kinds of study
- HelpedMotivation
In 49 results, programmes raised motivation and commitment more than others did.
Pooled analysis of 49 studies with 5,790 people · vs students who did not take part · they rated themselves · ⚠ whole programmes were tested, so no single part can be credited; mixes trials with other kinds of study
- HelpedGoals
Across 54 results from 46,719 students, programmes kept slightly more students enrolled than other groups did.
Pooled analysis of 54 studies with 46,719 people · vs students who did not take part · behaviour was recorded · ⚠ whole programmes were tested, so no single part can be credited; mixes trials with other kinds of study
How solid is this?
- Large group
- Whole programmes were tested, so no single part can be credited
- Mixes trials with other kinds of study
Source
Intervention Effects on College Performance and Retention as Mediated by Motivational, Emotional, and Social Control Factors: Integrated Meta-Analytic Path Analyses (2009)
DOI: 10.1037/a0015738 (opens in a new tab)
