The document discusses findings from the HERE Project conducted from 2008-2011 examining student retention and engagement in higher education. Key findings include: 1) Approximately one third of first year students experience doubts strong enough to consider withdrawing. Doubters are more likely to leave than non-doubters. 2) Doubters report a poorer quality experience than non-doubters, especially regarding their academic experience and sense of belonging. 3) The primary reasons for doubting are associated with student perceptions of their course. Managing factors that lead to doubting can help increase retention.

1. HERE to Stay? Findings from the HERE Project 2008 - 2011 Ed Foster, Nottingham Trent University

5. ‘ Doubt is not a pleasant condition, but certainty is an absurd one’ Voltaire

9. Key Findings

10. Finding a) Approximately one third of first year students have experienced doubts sufficiently strong to make them consider withdrawing at some point during the first year.

19. Finding h) Students reported different degrees of doubting

21. Key Recommendations

22. Key Recommendations

23. Manage those factors that lead to doubting, and therefore leaving

29. Support students to stay

36. Conclusions