What’s really going on?

Each year, the National Survey of Student Engagement releases its annual report of campus happenings, based on information gathered from more than 100 colleges and universities around the United States. Students, faculty and administrators responded to questions about everything from study habits and teaching styles to final exams and learning groups. Here’s a sample of findings from the 2007 report:

• College freshmen expect to study 50 percent more than they relax—however, while female students expect to spend 18 hours per week preparing for class and 10 socializing or relaxing, male students expect to spend only 16 hours studying and 13 hours socializing or relaxing.

• First-generation students are less likely to study abroad or work on a research project with a professor than those who had a parent who attended college.

• One in 10 students didn’t meet with their adviser at all during the last school year.

• Seniors rate their academic advisers significantly lower than freshmen do.

• Seven out of 10 students said they talk with family often; the most common supporter is Mom.

• Forty-five percent of freshmen report having no close friends attending college with them.

Brain Freeze
The average rent for a three-bedroom apartment in Chico in 2007 was $990, up from $956 in 2006.