Putting the "I" in identity : first-year composition students' transition into college writing

Abstract

This research project surveyed and interviewed first-year composition (FYC) students and instructors to investigate students’ feelings about writing (self-efficacy) and how those feelings affected students’ work (motivation and procrastination). My results supported current research in that areas of self-efficacy, motivation, and procrastination, and provided further evidence of connections between students’ self-efficacy and their motivation and procrastination, which are concerns in FYC classrooms. Bad writing habits, such as procrastination, can cripple students deep into their college and professional careers. Therefore, students’ feelings about writing are critical during their transition into college writing and success beyond FYC courses.