Assessing the Usefulness of a New Students’ Orientation Program at the University of Guyana

This study aimed to identify baseline data on University of Guyana students' demographics, success indicators, and the usefulness of the existing orientation program from students' perspectives. This action research study employed multiple data collection methods, including an online questionnaire with six sections totaling 23 questions, distributed to all Turkeyen campus students (N=9342) at the end of the first semester of the academic year 2022/2023, and statistical student records from the institution's database.Qualitative data was gathered through follow-up online semi-structured interviews to delve deeper into students' perceptions of program utility. Quantitative data was analyzed using descriptive statistics (frequency, mean, mode) and inferential tests (t-tests), while qualitative data underwent thematic analysis via an inductive approach. Data from 409 questionnaires revealed that students generally perceived the orientation program as a helpful resource for their transition to the university. In-depth insights into students' assessments of the program's usefulness were gained through follow-up interviews with a sample of 10 questionnaire respondents. Creating college-going knowledge, management of expectations, and convenience were key themes developed which captured interviewees assessments of the orientation program. This study also found statistically significant differences in means between orientation attendees and non-attendees self-reported first year academic performance and the number of extra-curricular clubs/associations joined. These findings align partially with the Schlossberg Theory of transition. The study's key findings revealed a majority of first-generation university students among respondents. This proactive intervention provides insights for continuous improvement and targeted transition programming, aligning with the institution's goals for student success.