A national survey of 1,100+ incoming students (June 2025) surfaces what today’s first-years want, need, and expect—so campuses can meet them on day one.
Get your copy of the findings by completing the form.
What Today's Students Want, Need, and Expect
How students begin college shapes whether they find belonging, persist, and thrive. This report brings student voices forward—before their first class—to help leaders design orientation, care, and connection with empathy and precision.
- The five themes framing students’ first months: Possibility, Independence, Connection, Discovery, Preparation.
- Where expectations diverge from reality—and how to close the gap with early, visible support.
- Action ideas you can apply to welcome week, residence life, and student success communications.
- Readiness with need: 65% of incoming students have already received therapy; 83% are open to using campus mental health resources.
- Hope + headwinds: 31% feel “thrilled and optimistic,” yet many anticipate obstacles—from finances to mental health—as they arrive.
- Belonging isn’t automatic: 42% feel only somewhat confident making friends; 38% report loneliness; 20% don’t know where to start.
FAQs
More than 1,100 incoming U.S. students (ages 18–29) starting college in fall 2025, across four-year, two-year, and online programs.
Possibility, Independence, Connection, Discovery, Preparation—a blend of hope, pressure, and a clear desire for early support.
Apply insights to orientation design, early-semester programming, and communications that make help obvious and belonging achievable from day one.
