For many students, the first year of college is one of the most exciting times of their lives. It’s also one of the hardest. Overnight, new freshmen are adjusting to campus life, managing their time without the structure of high school, and facing a level of academic rigor they’ve never experienced before. Add in social pressures, financial concerns, and the challenge of finding community, and it’s no wonder so many students struggle to stay on track.
The numbers tell the story: nearly 1 in 4 first-year students don’t return for their second year. For institutions, this is more than a retention issue, it’s a critical signal. A student’s first year often determines whether they persist, graduate, and realize the full value of their degree.
So, the question is: how can colleges help students not just survive their first year, but truly thrive?
The Unique Challenges Facing First-Year Students
Today’s freshmen arrive on campus carrying academic and social challenges that can derail their progress if left unaddressed. Many students are underprepared for college-level work. In fact, less than half of students entering college in 2024 read at a college-ready level, and around 40% will take at least one remedial course during their first year.
But academic hurdles are only part of the story. Students are also navigating record levels of social isolation. Despite being constantly connected through technology, many first-years are more likely to search online for answers than to seek out help from a peer or a campus center. For first-generation and historically underserved students, the barriers can be even higher. Stigma, lack of awareness, or uncertainty about where to turn often keep them from accessing support until it’s too late.
These gaps—in preparation, belonging, and access—don’t just affect academic performance. They shape how students see themselves on campus, whether they believe they belong, and ultimately whether they stay.
Why Peer Tutoring Works for First-Year Students
Peer tutoring offers a uniquely powerful way to intervene early in a student’s college journey. Because tutors are peers who have successfully completed the same courses, they bring both credibility and relatability. For a nervous freshman, meeting with another student who “gets it” makes the idea of asking for help feel normal rather than stigmatized.
When peer tutoring is introduced as part of the first-year experience—through orientation, gateway courses, or proactive outreach—students are more likely to engage before they fall behind. This normalization of support changes the narrative: tutoring isn’t a last resort, it’s simply part of how students succeed in college.
The impact is especially strong for underserved students. At the University of Florida, students who participated in weekly peer tutoring sessions earned grades 19% higher than those who did not. At the University of New Hampshire, first-generation students who engaged early with peer tutors saw a 15-point increase in retention compared to peers who didn’t. These outcomes demonstrate that tutoring is not only effective academically but also transformative for persistence.
Thriving Beyond the Classroom
The value of peer tutoring for freshmen extends beyond grades. Working with peers builds confidence as students master tough material, but it also creates the kind of authentic connections that foster belonging. Students often leave tutoring sessions not just with a clearer understanding of their coursework, but with the reassurance that they are not navigating the challenges of college alone.
For first-year students, these small but meaningful moments of connection can be the difference between drifting away and staying engaged.
The Institutional Opportunity
For institutions, the first year is a pivotal window. If students are going to leave, it often happens during year one. But with the right systems in place, it can also become the year that sets students up for long-term success.
Peer tutoring offers a scalable and flexible way to strengthen retention, normalize help-seeking behaviors, and close equity gaps. It expands support without adding significant administrative lift, while creating ripple effects that benefit both those receiving tutoring and the students providing it.
A First-Year Experience Worth Investing In
The first year of college should be more than a survival test. It should be a launchpad for success—a time when students gain confidence, connect with community, and build habits that carry them through graduation.
Peer tutoring makes that possible. By embedding peer support into the freshman experience, institutions can give students the academic tools, human connections, and confidence they need to thrive well beyond their first year.
When institutions invest in peer tutoring during the freshman transition, they’re not just boosting grades. They’re building belonging, strengthening persistence, and setting students up to thrive.
To learn more about how Knack can support your first-year success strategy, visit joinknack.com.
