Freshman year, the year of many firsts; the first time living away from home, the first time away from friends, the first time a student is in control of their own learning. The first year requires a lot of discipline, but many students do not possess this characteristic. Factors that contribute to the success of first-year college students are social support, comfort in the college environment, self-control, responsibility, and positive self-concept. Being a college student could be very stressful; many students feel pressure from family and peers to do well. The struggles of college; academically, socially and economically, it would be much more difficult without a support system. Encouragement from family members is a very important factor for a first-year college student. One reason is because people seek praise from their family and friends. If these people encourage the student to do well in all courses and then express approval when he or she excels, then the student will most likely continue to do well. According to studies by Hackman & Dysinger, a family's expectations can be just as significant as those of a student. Many graduates note that their parents assumed they would graduate instead of simply hoping. Students of educated parents are more likely to be motivated in college because of their understanding and encouragement. Involvement in college is another way to receive social support. According to Astin, A. W, living on campus is the most effective way to get involved, when college students stay on campus; he or she is surrounded by people who seek similar goals, namely to succeed through education. This is where students are most likely to meet their friends, find study buddies... middle of paper ......Works Cited Astin, A. W. (1996). Engagement in learning revisited: Lessons we have learned. Journal of College Student Development, 37, 123-134 Commitment to College as a Factor in Student Attrition, J. Richard Hackman and Wendell S. Dysinger, Sociology of EducationVol. 43, no. 3 (summer 1970), pp. 311-324 (the article consists of 14 pages), published by: American Sociological Association Stable URL: http://www.jstor.org/stable/2112069 The Color of Success: African - Achievements of American undergraduates in college and predominantly white and historically black public universities Allen, Walter RHarvard Educational Review; February 1992; 62, 1; ProQuest Psychology Journals, p. 26Antonio, A.L. (2004). The influence of friendship groups on intellectual self-confidence and college educational aspirations. Journal of Higher Education 75(4), 446-471.