What did new students think of their first year experience at ANU?

The results of the 2006 First Year Experience Questionnaire showed that on the whole first year students are very happy with their university experience. 82.2% of respondents recorded Strong Agreement or Agreement on the Program Satisfaction scale. The mean response was 4.04 on the Likert Scale of 1 to 5. The mean was 3.99 in 2004 and 3.86 in 2002.

The survey shows that first year students are generally positive about teaching with a mean response of 3.77 to the Teaching scale. In previous years the mean has been lower (3.62 in 2004 and 3.46 in 2002).

Staff quality is rated highly. High performing items in the Teaching scale include enthusiastic staff (mean 4.14), teaching quality (mean 4.13) and approachability of staff (mean 4.11). However there is a perception that staff engagement with students could be improved. Lesser performing items in the Teaching scale include an interest in student progress (mean 3.24), helpful feedback (mean 3.33) and understanding student difficulties (mean 3.54).

Studying in a field which interests the student remains the highest rated motivation for coming to university, with 96.2% of students rating this item as very important or quite important. 89.5% of respondents believe they have been encouraged to be an independent learner (mean 4.21). Intellectual Stimulation was the highest rating item in the Program Satisfaction scale, with 87.6% satisfaction and a mean of 4.15. Enjoyment of intellectual challenges (Academic Orientation item) also rated highly with a mean of 4.04.

Only 23% of respondents would have preferred starting with a general first year before choosing a specific program. 59% of respondents would not prefer a general first year.

Lectures are a valuable source of learning for 77% of respondents. 61% find course notes and compiled readings very useful, and another 36% find them somewhat useful.

89.5% of respondents use web-based resources on a daily or weekly basis. 73% of respondents believe lecturers make good use of the web to support learning. However, 51% of respondents state they would like more online learning resources.

Social Affinity and Quality of Staff are identified as most important to students. Social Affinity had the most number of both positive and negative comments. While the ratio was positive, students suggested further improvements including additional promotion of social activities such as O-week, clubs and societies.

General administration was one theme with strongly negative comment ratios. Problem areas were identified as lecture timetabling, program advice and guidance, and information about administrative procedures. Students' suggestions for improvement include more recorded lectures; clear and consistent program advice and easily accessible information about administrative and enrolment procedures.

Report prepared by: Leone Nurbasari, Information Analyst, Statistical Services, January 2007 T: 54579