Findings from the 2009 Administration of the Your First College Year ...

Changes in Life GoalsThe TFS and YFCY data can also be used to assess changes in students’ commitment tovarious life goals from high school to college (Table 30). For the most part, respondents did notdemonstrate major shifts in their life goals over the first-year. From the beginning to the end ofthe first-year, only six of the twenty goals on both surveys saw a difference of six percentagepoints or more in the proportion of students rating them as “very important” or “essential.” Thelargest percentage point differences were observed in first-year students reporting that helpingthose in difficulty was a “very important” or “essential” life goal (71.3% at college entry vs.80.1% at the end of the first-year, or an 8.8 percentage point increase), and those who wanted tobecome an authority in their chosen academic field (57.9% vs. 66.7%, or an 8.8 increase). Otherdifferences can be seen in students aspiring to create artistic works; this goal saw a 6.4percentage point increase in the proportion rating it “very important” or “essential,” from 14.7%at college entry to 21.1% at the end of freshman year. Students were also more likely to report atthe end of the first-year that participating in a community action program was “very important”or “essential” to them (32.5% at college entry vs. 39.2% at end of freshman year). A similarincrease was seen for the goal of influencing social values (43.8% vs. 51.2%, respectively).Table 30Proportion of students rating each life goal as “very important” or “essential” at college entry(TFS) and end of the first-year of college (YFCY):AtcollegeentryAt the endof the firstcollegeyearPercentagePointChangePercentage marking:Becoming an authority in my field 57.9 66.7 +8.8Helping others who are in difficulty 71.3 80.1 +8.8Influencing social values 43.8 51.2 +7.4Participating in a community action program 32.5 39.2 +6.7Obtaining recognition from my colleagues forcontributions to my special field 55.1 61.7 +6.6Creating artistic works (painting, sculpture, etc.) 14.7 21.1 +6.4Becoming accomplished in one of the performing arts 16.8 22.3 +5.528