Variables associated with persistence/withdrawal decisions of rural students at select Newfoundland post-secondary institutes

Variables associated with attrition of two groups of rural students at select Newfoundland universities/colleges were the focus of this study. Group one consisted of 46 university and 23 college non-persisters and group two consisted of 131 university and 30 college persisters. A questionnaire was d...

Full description

Bibliographic Details
Main Author: Rumbolt, Shawn Herbert
Format: Thesis
Language:English
Published: Memorial University of Newfoundland 1992
Subjects:
Online Access:https://research.library.mun.ca/5199/
https://research.library.mun.ca/5199/1/Rumbolt_ShawnHerbert.pdf
https://research.library.mun.ca/5199/2/Rumbolt_ShawnHerbert.pdf
Description
Summary:Variables associated with attrition of two groups of rural students at select Newfoundland universities/colleges were the focus of this study. Group one consisted of 46 university and 23 college non-persisters and group two consisted of 131 university and 30 college persisters. A questionnaire was developed to: (a) create profiles of university and college persisters and non-persisters, (b) gather their suggestions for interventions needed at the senior high and post-secondary level to help ease the transition for rural Newfoundland students into post-secondary, and (c) ascertain their main reasons for maintaining or not maintaining enrolment. Variables examined included select background and demographic characteristics and factors related to one's high school and post-secondary experiences. Data obtained from university and college students was analyzed separately using descriptive statistics. Results indicated that college/university persisters, as compared to college/university non-persisters: sought assistance more frequently from school counsellors, had more realistic expectations of post-secondary, met more frequently with faculty members, showed more involvement in orientation activities, and were less likely to see themselves obtaining seasonal work and collecting unemployment insurance benefits in the up-coming year. In addition, college persisters, as compared to college non-persisters: were younger, attended church more, were less inclined to think of changing their programs, sought post-secondary counsellor assistance more frequently and visited them more often, expressed more concern about their ability to finance their education, were less likely to be receiving Canada Student Loans, showed more involvement in campus clubs/organizations, had closer relationships with their roommates, and obtained less support/encouragement from their brother(s). Further, university persisters, as compared to non-persisters: had higher Level Three and post-secondary averages, felt more at home in university and were ...