Each year the National Survey of Student Engagement (NSSE) asks students at hundreds of colleges and universities to reflect on the time they devote to various learning activities. The topics explored are linked to previous research on student success in college.
Results from NSSE can provide prospective students with insights into how they might learn and develop at a given college. To help in the college exploration process, NSSE developed A Pocket Guide to Choosing a College to give students and their families key questions to ask during campus visits.
The following responses were provided by 80 K-State students on the 2019 survey.
How much time do students spend studying each week? First-year (FY) students spent an average of 12 hours per week preparing for class while seniors spent an average of 12 hours per week.
First-year (FY) students spent an average of 12 hours per week preparing for class while seniors spent an average of 12 hours per week.
29% of FY students reported that their courses highly challenged them to do their best work.
In an academic year, FY students estimated they were assigned an average of 61 pages of writing and seniors estimated an average of 52 pages.
FY students estimated they spent an average of 5 hours per week on assigned reading, and seniors read 7 hours per week.
How often do students make course presentations?b 30% of FY students and 49% of seniors frequently gave course presentations.
Do class discussions and assignments include the perspectives of diverse groups of people?b
45% of FY students frequently included diverse perspectives in course discussions or assignments.
Are students expected to use numbers or statistics throughout their coursework?^{b}
37% of FY students frequently used numerical information to examine a real-world problem or issue; 63% of seniors frequently reached conclusions based on their own analysis of numerical information.
A Pocket Guide to Choosing a College is available at nsse.indiana.edu/links/pocket
How do students rate their interactions with faculty?c 38% of FY students rated the quality of their interactions with faculty as high.
How often do students talk with faculty members or advisors about their career plans?^{b} 40% of FY and 52% of seniors frequently discussed career plans with faculty.
Do faculty members clearly explain course goals and requirements?
51% of FY students said instructors clearly explained course goals and requirements "quite a bit" or "very much."
37% of FY students and 59% of seniors said instructors substantially gave prompt and detailed feedback on tests or completed assignments. How often do students talk with faculty members outside class about what they are learning?^{b}
How often do students talk with faculty members outside class about what they are learning?b
32% of FY students frequently discussed course topics, ideas, or concepts with a faculty member outside of class.
How many students work on research projects with faculty?
10% of FY students and 36% of seniors worked on a research project with a faculty member.