Momentum Points Survey – First Semester Experience
Administered to freshmen-level courses
during the final few weeks of Fall Semester – 2015
The next page contains the actual survey
There were 240 students who responded to the survey
Surveys were conducted in the following classes:
Course Students
BIOL121
41
BIOL131
21
BIOL132
37
CSCI105
27
EGNR101
42
MATH131
17
PSYC155
43
USEM155
12
Although some students that responded were not freshmen,
all questions were asked about the students first semester experience at LSSU
Class
Students
Freshmen
155
Sophomores
44
Juniors
15
Seniors
22
Dual-Enrolled/Other
4
LSSU Student Survey – First Semester Experiences
As part of the Improving Institutions grant (TITLE III SIP-TALK), a cross disciplinary committee is examining any barriers or
challenges that students may experience in progressing through their first semester at LSSU. Your responses are
anonymous and will be used to help improve the initial experiences for future LSSU students. Thank you!
1. Current class (circle one)?
Freshman
Sophomore
Junior
Senior
2. Major: _________________________________
3. Are you currently taking or have you previously taken a university/freshman seminar course?
Yes
No
4. Did you encounter problems registering for courses during your first semester?
If you answered “yes”, what problems did you have?
Yes
No
5. Did you encounter problems purchasing textbooks for your first semester?
If you answered “yes”, what problems did you have?
Yes
No
6. Did you join any clubs/groups/intramurals during your first semester?
Yes
No
Yes
No
7. Did you encounter problems preparing for your first exam during your first semester?
If you answered “yes”, what problems did you have?
Yes
No
8. Did you encounter problems receiving mid-term grades during your first semester?
If you answered “yes”, what problems did you have?
Yes
No
9. Did you encounter problems meeting with your advisor during your first semester?
If you answered “yes”, what problems did you have?
Yes
No
10. Have you registered for Spring Semester 2016 yet?
If you answered “no”, why haven’t you registered?
Yes
No
Did you encounter problems joining clubs/groups/intramurals during your first semester?
If you answered “yes”, what problems did you have?
11. During your first semester at LSSU, what other obstacles or barriers to academic success have you encountered?
Momentum Points Survey - November 2015
No.
3
4
5
6a
6b
7
8
9
10
Number of students:
240
Question
Took USEM / freshmen experience?
Problems registering for first semester?
Problems getting textbooks?
Joined a club / organization?
Trouble joining a club / organization?
Trouble preparing for first exam?
Difficulty getting midterm grades?
Difficulty meeting with advisor?
Are you registered for Spring Semester 2016?
YES
114
42
28
123
11
47
63
31
215
NO
126
198
212
117
229
193
177
209
25
PERCENT
47.5%
17.5%
11.7%
51.3%
4.6%
19.6%
26.3%
12.9%
89.6%
Question #4 : Problems registering for classes – 39 responses
1. A girl took me out of all my classes, then tried putting me back in - and they were all full.
2. Anchor Access account didn't work
3. As a freshmen: A student helped me register during orientation, and they signed me up for classes I didn't
need/couldn't handle.
4. Classes were cancelled.
5. Classes were full, pre-req/test score errors, needed instructor overrides for classes
6. Conflicting Times
7. Currently in it.
8. Didn't know how and advisor was NO help.
9. Didn't like having to wait until Orientation.
10. Didn't receive enough help as to how to register
11. I had completed the eng & math pre-reqs and didn't know what to take in their place.
12. Hold on chem. Advisor didn't tell me needed math
13. Holds on my account
14. HS transcripts going through
15. I couldn't get a lab for A&P so they had to make a new lab
16. I had a problem getting into a seminar course.
17. I had issues with prerequisites
18. I needed to take two classes that were only offered at the same time
19. I tested out of the algebra class and placed directly into Trig, but Anchor Access did not accept the compass test
as a valid pre-requisite.
20. Lots of schedule conflicts due to only one time being available for a required class.
21. Missing a lot of prereqs for classes because I am a transfer but no problems registering for ENGR101
22. No one ever really taught me how.
23. Not being allowed in a class due to a low ACT score and having to re-do my entire schedule.
24. Not enough space for classes I need
25. Not enough spots in the classes I needed
26. Pre-req for AP
27. Pre-reqs
28. School didn't exempt classes fast enough
29. Services were slow and wouldn't register
30. Signed up too late
31. Some of the timing and space allowed for a class
32. The browser kicked me out and when it came back up
33. The fact that I have to "race" other people for a spot in certain classes is frustrating
34. They did not have a lab set up that would not interfere with the rest of my schedule
35. They didn't have space in a lab so they had to make one up
36. Too full
37. Transcript was messed up
38. Upperclassmen filled most classes before I could register
39. We went to the last orientation and most classes were full.
Question #5 : Problems purchasing textbooks – 28 responses
1. Accidently bought 2 of the same book, bookstore was very unreasonable about letting me return it.
2. As a freshmen: the amount of money was a problem. I had to drop a lot of my classes I had signed up for
because I couldn't handle them so money was wasted.
3. Bought Online - much cheaper
4. Cost of books!!
5. Cost too much
6. Costs
7. Didn't have them in the library and had to wait a couple of weeks.
8. Didn't know what the correct textbooks.
9. Didn't locate appropriate text online for classes.
10. GI Bill Problems
11. I accidently purchased 2 of the same book
12. Last minute change
13. Last minute teacher change resulting in new textbooks
14. monetary funds
15. Most are severely over priced.
16. Not all were offered as rental/hard to find money
17. Not enough money to get it
18. Not enough options and cheaper options
19. Problems with scholarship and what that covered on books
20. Textbooks were just really expensive and at first I didn't know where I had to look to figure out what textbooks I
needed.
21. The books came in too late and I couldn't get my money back.
22. The money is given to us a time when the books will arrive after the semester has started.
23. The price of textbooks were expensive.
24. The tuition refund money came long after I ordered my books.
25. They are overly expensive
26. They are too much money for something that I might use once or twice.
27. Unclear which were needed, I don't use two books that were fairly expensive.
28. Yes and No. Should be covered in tuition. Was unexpected as a freshmen.
Question #6 : Problems joining clubs/groups/intramurals – 15 responses
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
13.
14.
15.
Deadlines were not announced well for intramurals, so I could never join. Communication is poor here.
Difficult to find out where to show up to sign up and always a class schedule conflict
Difficulty attending meeting due to class
I am an athlete, not much time.
I couldn't with sports
I live off campus and work so it's hard to find time to join club/groups or participate in them when I'm on
campus
I tried out many clubs but none seemed to suit me.
I work.
Intramural leagues were not well publicized. I could not register in time and encountered difficulty finding a time
slot that fit into my schedule.
Intramurals - a rule requiring a certain number of female to participate made it harder to make a team. A similar
rule for male participation does not exist.
No problem, but the times didn't always work with my class schedule.
Not enough time for some organizations
Rock climbing, activities board, archery and fisheries & wildlife
Some of the clubs weren't at times I could go to. Also some of them I actually had to hunt around and ask for.
Was just unsure how to about it, friends helped.
Question #7 : Problems preparing for your first exam – 40 responses
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
13.
14.
15.
16.
17.
18.
19.
20.
21.
22.
23.
24.
25.
26.
27.
28.
29.
30.
31.
32.
33.
34.
35.
36.
37.
38.
39.
40.
Bad time management
Didn't have proper studying techniques
Didn't know how to effectively study
Didn't know what to expect compared to freshmen year
Didn't know what to expect or how to study.
didn't know what to expect or what I need to know.
Didn't know what to expect.
Didn't know what to study had a full on panic-attack
Didn't prepare enough for the first one, I then learned how to study for that specific exam
Didn't really know how to prepare, but after the first test I got used to it.
Finding time to study
Finding ways to study and maintain information
Focus. Not knowing what to study.
Having good time management
High School did not prepare me for college
I didn't know what to expect for the exam form or the best ways to study
I didn't know what to study
I didn't study enough.
I had 3 exams on the same day and they were all my first college tests.
I had a hard time studying efficiently.
I had to study.
I underestimated the exams.
I was just overwhelmed with material and was stressing out.
I wasn't sure how difficult it would be compared to high school. I also didn't know how much studying would be
appropriate for it.
It was more than I expected but the professors prepared me for it
Just getting myself to study because I wasn't used to it.
Major procrastinator
No study guides given, way different than high school.
Not enough time to study
Not knowing what teachers are expecting of me on my 1st exam.
Not knowing what to expect
Not knowing what to study
Not understanding what would be on the test and how to study
Procrastinating - not studying.
So much info! (What to study?)
Staying Focused
Time Management
Was not prepared enough
Wasn't sure on if I was ready or not
Wasn't sure what to expect compared to high school exams and every instructor words things differently.
Question #8 : Problems receiving mid-term grades – 58 responses
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
13.
14.
15.
16.
17.
18.
19.
20.
21.
22.
23.
24.
25.
26.
27.
28.
29.
30.
31.
32.
33.
34.
35.
36.
37.
38.
39.
40.
41.
42.
43.
44.
45.
46.
47.
48.
49.
50.
A few professors never entered them.
Delayed
Didn't get 2 of my midterm grades
Didn't know how to study, never had to do it before
Didn't know how to view them.
Didn't receive them all.
Do not know where to go to see them.
Had a professor not give me midterm grades/would not but those that did - no problems. Give them!
Just didn’t know what to expect
Many profs did not post grades/did not believe in posting them.
Math prof wouldn't post them
Moodle is awful and unorganized
My COM101 class never got posted
My grades weren't put in for weeks after and some grades were never put in.
My teachers did not submit them.
My teachers didn't post my grade or I was told it was - I guessed on what my grade is - I want specifics.
No midterm grades for CHEM115
None for Metlab
Not all posted them.
Not all professors entered midterm grades.
Not all professors post them.
Not all professors put them up
Not always posted
Not high enough, dropped my grade.
One professor, [Professor Y], didn't post them.
One teacher did not post midterms ENGR101 had them up for viewing
Only for Chem 115, grade was never posted
Only half of my teachers posted midterm grades on time
Prof chose to not put in midterm grades
Professors didn't enter grades
Professors seriously don't have their stuff together
Professors take too long or forget to post grades
Some instructors posted midterm grades, some did not. No consistency.
Some of my teachers didn't have the grades up at the time we were told they'd be up.
Some professors did not post them but, the ones that did, I had no problem seeing.
Some professors did not put them up!
Some professors failed to post the grade by midterm. To me this is very disappointing.
Some professors must think it's an option to enter mid-terms, even to this day some don't enter them and it's
irritating to say the least.
Some professors never posted
Some professors took awhile to put them up in Anchor Access
Some profs don't put them up.
Some teachers didn't post them in a timely fashion
Some teachers didn't put them in
Some teachers didn't put them in.
Some teachers didn't put them in.
Some teachers don't put them up.
Some were not posted
Some weren't posted online as they were intended to be.
Some weren't posted, others were really late, etc.
Teachers didn't enter them
51. The online grading system needs to consolidate Moodle and other class grades. It should also be up to date
within the week with all assignments.
52. They all posted late. The last grade was up around a month late.
53. They are not all in same place. Some on blackboard, some in Moodle, some on LSSU page.
54. They were too low.
55. They weren't all in the same place
56. Three of my teachers did not submit midterm grades.
57. Unable to find online, not all teachers had them in
58. When I transferred, my Moodle didn't work until around midterm so that class I had problems.
Question #9 : Problems meeting with your advisor – 30 responses
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
13.
14.
15.
16.
17.
18.
19.
20.
21.
22.
23.
24.
25.
26.
27.
28.
29.
30.
Advisor was on sabbatical and I was not given a new one. Had to seek someone out.
Communication Error
Coordinating Meeting Times
Couldn't find a time to meet
Did not follow office hours. So I switched advisors and haven't been back. It has been a great fit.
Didn't know who it was.
However, I did not like mine. He is very impersonal.
I didn't get emailed back and my scheduled conflicted with her office hours.
I didn't know who it was.
I forgot who it was.
I had no idea who he was
I had no idea who she was and vice versa.
I have been trying to set up a meeting and I have questions about registering and I haven't received a response
back.
I met with her but she didn't really listen to what I had to say.
I never met with my advisor, someone else helped me
I tried setting up a specific time to meet with her and rather than doing that she asked me to just pop in and
when I did, she had to leave for something.
I waited too long to schedule a meeting and I met after my registration date.
It wasn't helpful anyway.
Just meeting with him felt like pulling teeth it felt like he was unavailable most of the time I needed him.
My advisor wouldn't meet outside of office hours and I had class during her hours.
My advisor's schedule was too full so I had to meet with somebody else, which made it confusing and I was
unsure of what was required for my major.
No problem, but make advisors/advising clear that the advising process is important and mandatory
Not w/ the program.
Right from the start she tried to pin me as a bad student we butted heads our first meeting but we are fine now.
Roger Land was advisor, no one told me who knew advisor was
She was available and did not show up.
She was very busy and I had to make first contact, I wasn't notified ahead of time.
Time available
Went to my geology professor
Yes, she didn't explain anything to me or answer my questions
Question #10 : Why haven’t you registered for Spring Semester – 14 responses
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
13.
14.
But unsure if I am adding or dropping courses
Graduating
I haven't gotten a hold of my advisor I wish we could just do it online.
I was deciding if I should switch majors
I'm transferring.
I'm transferring.
I'm weird.
Just paid off bill legit today will register tonight.
Money.
Moving.
Not coming back.
Personal
See previous question - have not met with my advisor
Still need chem
Question #11 : What other obstacles to academic success – 139 responses
1. A couple of hiccups due to transferring and some things didn't go as smoothly as it could have.
2. A lot of homework, mixed with a lot of distractions leads to time management issues
3. A practical aspect of ENGR101 was a bit too jarring. I had zero experience with programming or robotics at the
beginning of the semester, which made the LEGO projects a bit overwhelming.
4. Adjusting to University life.
5. Advisor told me I didn't need classes when I did.
6. All is well.
7. Balancing school time with play time.
8. Balancing sports and academics at a new college.
9. Balancing sports and academics at the same time.
10. Being a student-athlete and managing make up tests and homework
11. Can't find anything on the website, it's poorly set up.
12. Career Uncertainty
13. Chem 115
14. Communication with professors and transfer credit.
15. Cost
16. Different study methods for different classes
17. Difficulty meeting w/ advisor
18. Enjoying my time here. I find to be a stressful experience so far.
19. Everything has gone pretty well. If I had any questions, I have resources to get them answered.
20. Exam prep, study habits
21. Fitting in a tutor.
22. Food sucks…really sucks
23. For math, my teacher doesn't teach the way I learned and it's hard for me to learn from him.
24. Format is different than high school so adjusting to the college academics was a little difficult.
25. Get distracted easily and couldn't study
26. Getting motivated to study
27. Getting the on campus jobs that I wanted/considered
28. Grade is test, no assignments
29. Grades aren't as good as I'd hoped.
30. Graduating
31. Hard to live in dorm, hard to learn new study techniques
32. Having a job that stressed me out.
33. Having time to study and making myself go to my classes.
34. Having to cross the international bridge on a daily basis
35. Having to start out in earlier classes prevented me from taking classes that I was advised to take for the
semester (because of pre-req classes)
36. High school and college are a lot different regarding studying.
37. I don't recall having any significant obstacles, except I had to final exams on the same day and time, but even
then I was able to fix that problem.
38. I ended up changing majors so I was stuck in a bunch of science classes that I hate.
39. I found information related to the I-20 process was somewhat uncentralized, making it confusing at times.
40. I hate living in the dorms! LSSU Staff has done an awful job of placing me. Twice.
41. I have to handle financial matters with school before I register.
42. I haven't encountered any obstacles or barriers
43. I think the hardest thing was not being informed that tutors are free - that would have encouraged me to get
one sooner.
44. I was very homesick and did not attempt to make friends or go outside my comfort zone.
45. I wish I could know my grades throughout the semester
46. I'm just chilling.
47. I'm really lazy…
48.
49.
50.
51.
52.
53.
54.
55.
56.
57.
58.
59.
60.
61.
62.
63.
64.
65.
66.
67.
68.
69.
70.
71.
72.
73.
74.
75.
76.
77.
78.
79.
80.
81.
82.
83.
84.
85.
86.
87.
88.
89.
90.
91.
92.
93.
94.
It was all good.
It was difficult finding time on occasion to get help.
It was hard finding time to make new friends once classes started.
It's a lot different than high school. So I'm still figuring out which study habits will benefit me the most.
Just adjusting
Just getting adjusted to homework amounts.
Just not knowing how to study.
Keeping grades up in all courses
Keeping my grades up. So proud of myself.
Keeping up with the stressful paperwork. It is almost to the point where the stress won't allow you to focus on
anything else.
Knowing what to schedule
Lack of knowledge on study places/resources in the Library just general inexperience
Lack of study and work habits.
Learn how to prepare/study for different classes
Learning how to study
Less time studying because of class.
Library is closed on weekends
LSSU changing my schedule or cancelling a class section before the semester started
LSSU seems like they don't care about their students, and they don't care if their student attends University or
not. The other college I attended made students feel wanted at that school.
Managing time & coursework
Math center needs more open hours.
Mental health difficulties
Miscommunication w/ professors on due dates and requirements.
Missing class due to basketball and finding a time to make things up.
Motivation to do work when getting back from a break.
My advisor was very unhelpful and after meeting with her many times I went and met with the head of the
department instead
My high school did a poor job for preparing me for all the homework
My previous advisors did not do a thorough enough job helping me plan out my academic progression for each
semester.
My self discipline
My sleep schedule is a mess.
Myself, the weather
Needed better ideas for studying and memorizing
No "direction", I had no idea what to do or even where to look for anything. Felt like I was thrown to the wolves.
NO faculty devoted to pre-vet! I feel very alone. No one specializes in animals typically dealt with at small vet
clinic. No help for seminar/senior research.
No friends, and nothing to do. This all adds up into being alone and not feeling like I belong here which makes
going to classes difficult when you are miserable.
Not prepping well for exams
None
None really, I believe that bi-weekly meeting with an advisor would be a good idea though.
None really.
None; however time management is a challenge (If there were to be time management)
Not studying enough
Not too much, the biggest obstacles I've had were some parking tickets but other than that no.
Nothing to do here.
Nothing, just having good time management is something I need to work on.
Overwhelmed with classes, and I'm just confused on what I want my major to be.
Personal study habits and use of time
Planning
95. Printer at Library running out of ink. Why is it IT and not Library staff's problem?
96. Procrastinating
97. Registering for spring semester. The system said I didn't have a pre-req that I did have.
98. Registration should be easier.
99. [Professor X] is a terrible professor with terrible views.
100.
Roommates :(
101.
Running low on cash and behind on school work without taking care of yourself (exercising)
102.
Scheduling has always been a barrier to my academic success, because my advisors have never made
the requirements very clear on the courses I needed to take for the goals I wanted to achieve I think this could
definitely improve.
103.
School in it's own, nothing; work caused problems with scheduling and they refused to work with me.
104.
Severe stress load hindering academic performance
105.
Sleeping is needed. I need to have better study and work habits.
106.
Some difficulty registering for the spring 2016 semester because the classes got full right away even
when I did the CRNS right at midnight.
107.
Some professors teach in a horrible way, but you learn to adapt to them.
108.
Staying focused.
109.
Struggling making time to study. Studying techniques. Tuition costs.
110.
Student mentor helped a lot!
111.
Studying & balancing time
112.
Studying for multiple exams at once and figuring out which classes to take 2nd semester.
113.
Studying for some exams is difficult, finding a quiet place, managing time well.
114.
Studying habits my fault.
115.
Taking gen ed classes set me back also because of my math score on the ACT
116.
Teacher availability. Office ours and the lack of time to meet.
117.
Teacher that do not care about their students.
118.
The hill outside the Townhouses
119.
The only problem that I felt was a barrier for my first semester was getting use to my loud/active dorm
life when scheduling my day or doing homework/studying.
120.
There are not enough supports for students who have mental illnesses. Yes, there is a Counseling
Center, but that's not something I always want to go to. There needs to be some sort of group or place you can
go to talk about problems.
121.
Time constraints
122.
Time management
123.
Time management and retaining all the information in classes
124.
Time management for studying when on the road with the team during season.
125.
Time management is a big struggle at the beginning of the semester but it's gotten better.
126.
Time management nearing finals week
127.
Time management, finding food due to limited QD hours and no car to drive to a restaurant which was
more distracting to studying than other things.
128.
Time management. Food sucks.
129.
Time off to work.
130.
Time. Working full-time/student
131.
To improve student class size, we need to improve the schools reputation. We need to advertise "facts",
good facts about LSSU such as it's #9 ranking out of Michigan colleges for average salary/tuition ratio. Our
engineering programs have received jobs for every student graduating from the program. Dr. Iretski (chem
professor) has a collaboration with UCSB (#1 in world for materials science). We need to show this school will
give students a great education for lower price (on average). Other examples would be working with
instruments (mass spectrometer, NMR, engineering machines I don't know the names of) that most students
don't have direct access to in classes at the undergraduate level. Have interview and advertise great students
who have graduated, such as Trace Hill, etc. This school is not in a vibrant city, so you need to create a strong ap
and have students coming for the education. I almost transferred to U of M if Dr. Iretski hadn't given me the
opportunity of internship my sophomore year to UCSB, I would have. I will be included in a publication in a
scientific journal for my internship at U of M my junior year. If it wasn't for LSSU, I would not have had this
opportunity. Sincerely, A Senior
132.
Trying to get a grip on college classes, and what the professors expect you do without telling you.
133.
Tuition
134.
Unreliable wifi
135.
Very successful.
136.
Waited the last minute for a tutor, didn't ask questions when confused, didn't ask for help, didn't do
office hours and procrastinated.
137.
Went to the hospital for 6 days, missed a bunch of stuff.
138.
Wish I would have known to take pre-reqs before coming so I could be ready for college level classes
139.
Work.
Does taking a USEM/first year experience course make
a difference with any of these momentum points?
Registering
first
semester?
Problems getting
textbooks?
Trouble joining a
club /
organization?
Joined a club /
organization?
USEM?
Count
NO
126
20
15.9%
10
7.94%
70
55.6%
6
4.8%
YES
114
22
19.3%
18
15.79%
53
46.5%
5
4.4%
Trouble
preparing for
first exam?
Difficulty getting
midterm grades?
Difficulty
meeting with
advisor?
Registered for
Spring Semester?
USEM?
Count
NO
126
29
23.0%
32
25.4%
23
18.3%
112
88.9%
YES
114
18
15.8%
31
27.2%
8
7.0%
103
90.4%