College Administrator how-to
How to Improve First-Year Retention
Most students who leave do so in the first year.
Quick answer
Most students who leave do so in the first year. In short: find; survey; flag, then complete the remaining steps below.
Step by step
Find who is leaving.
Survey students.
Flag early warning signs.
Strengthen advising.
Add peer mentoring.
Measure results each term.
Safety reminders for college administrators
- Follow Clery Act safety reporting
- Follow Title IX procedures
- Protect student records under FERPA
- Support campus emergency plans
Key terms
Registrar · Enrollment management · Retention rate · Yield · Degree audit · Accreditation: see the full college administrator glossary.