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2020 Getting to Know Our Students Survey Instrument

The USG Getting to Know Our Students Survey has been administered to incoming freshmen across the University System of Georgia since 2017. Developed in collaboration with Motivate Lab at the University of Virginia, the survey asks a host of questions designed to assess students’ motivations and attitudes about learning to provide a snapshot at the beginning of their post-secondary journey. The survey is administered twice in the fall semester, once in the first three weeks of classes and again in the final three weeks. Student responses are linked to academic outcomes and administrative data to allow an understanding of how Academic Mindsets and their changes over time are related to student success.

Below are the items from the 2020 Mindset survey.


Verify Age

Are you 18 or older?*

( ) Yes  ( ) No


STUDENT INFORMATION

What is your home institution?*

[select list]

Have you begun classes at your institution?

( ) Yes  ( ) No

Are you taking a course in History this semester?

( ) Yes  ( ) No

Are you taking a course in Science this semester?

( ) Yes  ( ) No

Provide your college student ID# (Nine digits; This is NOT your social security number)*

_________________________________________________

Please verify your college student ID#*

_________________________________________________


Consent

Consent

I have read the above information and my questions have been answered satisfactorily by project staff. I believe I understand the purpose, benefits, and risks of the study and give my informed and free consent to be a participant.

*

( ) I Agree

( ) I choose not to participate and will not be contacted in the future on this project


ABOUT ME

People often have very different work styles. Please respond to the following 7 items. Be honest – there are no right or wrong answers!

 

Not at all Like Me

Not Much Like Me

Somewhat Like Me

Mostly Like Me

Very Much Like Me

I am a hard worker.

( )

( )

( )

( )

( )

I finish whatever I begin.

( )

( )

( )

( )

( )


YOUR REASON FOR ATTENDING COLLEGE

I am motivated to attend college because I want to:
 

Rank from 1 to 7 with 1 being not Important at all and 7 being the most important.

 

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

Explore new interests.

( )

( )

( )

( )

( )

( )

( )

Help my family out after I’m done with college.

( )

( )

( )

( )

( )

( )

( )

Give back to my community.

( )

( )

( )

( )

( )

( )

( )

Expand my understanding of the world.

( )

( )

( )

( )

( )

( )

( )

Provide a better life for my own children.

( )

( )

( )

( )

( )

( )

( )

Make a contribution to society.

( )

( )

( )

( )

( )

( )

( )

Become an independent thinker.

( )

( )

( )

( )

( )

( )

( )

Help others.

( )

( )

( )

( )

( )

( )

( )

Make my family proud.

( )

( )

( )

( )

( )

( )

( )

Prepare for my future career.

( )

( )

( )

( )

( )

( )

( )

Learn more about my interests.

( )

( )

( )

( )

( )

( )

( )

Learn things that will help me make a positive impact on the world.

( )

( )

( )

( )

( )

( )

( )

Please my parents.

( )

( )

( )

( )

( )

( )

( )

Be a role model for people in my community.

( )

( )

( )

( )

( )

( )

( )

Make new friends.

( )

( )

( )

( )

( )

( )

( )

Make a lot of money.

( )

( )

( )

( )

( )

( )

( )

Bring honor to my family.

( )

( )

( )

( )

( )

( )

( )

 


DECIDING A MAJOR OR FOCUS AREA

What degree program are you currently pursuing?

( ) Associate Degree ( ) Bachelor's Degree ( ) Nexus Degree

What is your pathway, major, or focus area?

_________________________________________________

The following items explores what has influenced you to select your current major or focus area:

Please check all of the following that played a role in you selecting your current major or focus area.

[ ] My interests lie in this area.

[ ] My parents recommended it.

[ ] My high school/college advisor suggested it.

[ ] I think I will be good at it.

[ ] I identify with this area.

[ ] I know someone else who majored in this area.

[ ] The salary potential is attractive to me

[ ] I have a mentor or role model who studied/works in this field.

[ ] It will help me get the job I want.

[ ] This major will be useful to me in the future.

[ ] I had to pick something

[ ] I think it will be easy.

[ ] I have not yet selected a major.

[ ] Other - Write In: _________________________________________________

How long do you think it will take you to earn your degree?

( ) Less than 2 years

( ) Between 2 and 3 years

( ) Between 3 and 4 years

( ) Between 4 and 5 years

( ) Between 5 and 6 years

( ) Between 6 and 7 years

( ) Between 7 and 8 years

( ) More than 8 years.

How much do you think you will earn annually when you graduate?
 

( ) Less than $15,000

( ) $15,001 - $25,000

( ) $25,001 - $35,000

( ) $35,001 - $50,000

( ) $50,001 - $75,000

( ) $75,001 - $100,000

( ) $100,001 - $150,000

( ) $150,000

( ) I don't know


YOUR EXPECTATIONS OF THIS COLLEGE/UNIVERSITY

The following items refer to your general feelings about being at your current college or university. Please rate your level of agreement/disagreement with each statement

 


Strongly Disagree


Disagree


Slightly Disagree


Slightly Agree


Agree


Strongly Agree

Being a student at this college/university is an important part of my identity.

( )

( )

( )

( )

( )

( )

I belong at this college/university.

( )

( )

( )

( )

( )

( )

I sometimes feel like other students on campus have stronger academic skills than me.

( )

( )

( )

( )

( )

( )

I plan to be very involved in groups and/or activities at this college/university.

( )

( )

( )

( )

( )

( )

I will not be very involved on campus; I’m just here to take classes.

( )

( )

( )

( )

( )

( )

I feel more academically prepared than other students at this college/university.

( )

( )

( )

( )

( )

( )

When something bad happens, I feel that maybe I don’t belong at college.

( )

( )

( )

( )

( )

( )

I am very proud to be a student at this college/university.

( )

( )

( )

( )

( )

( )

I am confident about my choice a major or focus area.

( )

( )

( )

( )

( )

( )

My family doesn’t understand why I want to go to college.

( )

( )

( )

( )

( )

( )

My family questions whether a college education is valuable.

( )

( )

( )

( )

( )

( )

My family strongly supports me in my desire to go to college.

( )

( )

( )

( )

( )

( )

I feel like this college/university is a good fit for me

( )

( )

( )

( )

( )

( )

Sometimes I feel that I belong at college, and sometimes I feel that I don’t belong at college.

( )

( )

( )

( )

( )

( )

I think my major or focus area is very interesting

( )

( )

( )

( )

( )

( )

I don’t know if I really belong in my major or focus area

( )

( )

( )

( )

( )

( )

 

Students will be asked to respond to two of the following four sections (Your thoughts about…). Depending on their current course taking and parity of their ID, students will see sections related to either English or History and Math or Science.


Your thoughts about English

ENGLISH

The next set of questions asks about your thoughts and feelings about English. This includes English courses you might be enrolled in at this institution and English in general. Read each sentence and mark the choice that shows how much you agree with it. Remember, there are no right or wrong answers.

 

Strongly Disagree

Disagree

Slightly Disagree

Slightly Agree

Agree

Strongly Agree

I believe that I can be successful in English.

( )

( )

( )

( )

( )

( )

I think English is important

( )

( )

( )

( )

( )

( )

You can learn new things, but you can’t really change your basic English intelligence

( )

( )

( )

( )

( )

( )

I think English is useful.

( )

( )

( )

( )

( )

( )

Your English intelligence is something about you that you can’t change very much.

( )

( )

( )

( )

( )

( )

I’m unable to put in the time needed to do well in English.

( )

( )

( )

( )

( )

( )

I have to give up too much to do well in English.

( )

( )

( )

( )

( )

( )

You have a certain amount of English. intelligence and you really can’t do much to change it.

( )

( )

( )

( )

( )

( )

What I learn in my English classes will help me in my future career.

( )

( )

( )

( )

( )

( )

To be honest, I just don’t find what we learn in English to be interesting.

( )

( )

( )

( )

( )

( )

I sometimes feel like other students on campus have English skills that I don’t.

( )

( )

( )

( )

( )

( )

I feel more academically prepared in English than other students at this college/university.

( )

( )

( )

( )

( )

( )

What I learn in my English classes will be useful in the future.

( )

( )

( )

( )

( )

( )

My English class is too stressful for me

( )

( )

( )

( )

( )

( )

I am confident that I can understand the material in English

( )

( )

( )

( )

( )

( )

I value English

( )

( )

( )

( )

( )

( )

My English instructor seems to believe that students have a certain amount of intelligence, and they really can't do much to change it.

( )

( )

( )

( )

( )

( )

My English instructor seems to believe that every student can learn new things, but they can't really change their basic intelligence

( )

( )

( )

( )

( )

( )

My English instructor seems to believe that students either "have it" or they don't.

( )

( )

( )

( )

( )

( )

My English instructor cares about whether or not I succeed in English.

( )

( )

( )

( )

( )

( )

 


Your thoughts about History

HISTORY

The next set of questions asks about your thoughts and feelings about History. This includes History courses you might be enrolled in at this institution and History in general. Read each sentence and mark the choice that shows how much you agree with it. Remember, there are no right or wrong answers.
 

 

Strongly Disagree

Disagree

Slightly Disagree

Slightly Agree

Agree

Strongly Agree

I believe that I can be successful in History.

( )

( )

( )

( )

( )

( )

I think History is important

( )

( )

( )

( )

( )

( )

You can learn new things, but you can’t really change your basic History intelligence

( )

( )

( )

( )

( )

( )

I think History is useful.

( )

( )

( )

( )

( )

( )

Your History intelligence is something about you that you can’t change very much.

( )

( )

( )

( )

( )

( )

I’m unable to put in the time needed to do well in History.

( )

( )

( )

( )

( )

( )

I have to give up too much to do well in History.

( )

( )

( )

( )

( )

( )

You have a certain amount of History. intelligence and you really can’t do much to change it.

( )

( )

( )

( )

( )

( )

What I learn in my History classes will help me in my future career.

( )

( )

( )

( )

( )

( )

To be honest, I just don’t find what we learn in History to be interesting.

( )

( )

( )

( )

( )

( )

I sometimes feel like other students on campus have History skills that I don’t.

( )

( )

( )

( )

( )

( )

I feel more academically prepared in History than other students at this college/university.

( )

( )

( )

( )

( )

( )

What I learn in my History classes will be useful in the future.

( )

( )

( )

( )

( )

( )

My History class is too stressful for me

( )

( )

( )

( )

( )

( )

I am confident that I can understand the material in History

( )

( )

( )

( )

( )

( )

I value History

( )

( )

( )

( )

( )

( )

My History instructor seems to believe that students have a certain amount of intelligence, and they really can't do much to change it.

( )

( )

( )

( )

( )

( )

My History instructor seems to believe that every student can learn new things, but they can't really change their basic intelligence

( )

( )

( )

( )

( )

( )

My History instructor seems to believe that students either "have it" or they don't.

( )

( )

( )

( )

( )

( )

My History instructor cares about whether or not I succeed in History.

( )

( )

( )

( )

( )

( )

 


Your thoughts about Math

MATH

The next set of questions asks about your thoughts and feelings about math. This includes math courses you might be enrolled in at this institution and math in general. Read each sentence and mark the choice that shows how much you agree with it. Remember, there are no right or wrong answers.

 

Strongly Disagree

Disagree

Slightly Disagree

Slightly Agree

Agree

Strongly Agree

I believe that I can be successful in math.

( )

( )

( )

( )

( )

( )

I think math is important

( )

( )

( )

( )

( )

( )

You can learn new things, but you can’t really change your basic math intelligence

( )

( )

( )

( )

( )

( )

I think math is useful.

( )

( )

( )

( )

( )

( )

Your math intelligence is something about you that you can’t change very much.

( )

( )

( )

( )

( )

( )

I’m unable to put in the time needed to do well in math.

( )

( )

( )

( )

( )

( )

I have to give up too much to do well in math.

( )

( )

( )

( )

( )

( )

You have a certain amount of math intelligence and you really can’t do much to change it.

( )

( )

( )

( )

( )

( )

What I learn in my math classes will help me in my future career.

( )

( )

( )

( )

( )

( )

To be honest, I just don’t find what we learn in math to be interesting.

( )

( )

( )

( )

( )

( )

I sometimes feel like other students on campus have math skills that I don’t.

( )

( )

( )

( )

( )

( )

I feel more academically prepared in math than other students at this college/university.

( )

( )

( )

( )

( )

( )

What I learn in my math classes will be useful in the future.

( )

( )

( )

( )

( )

( )

My math class is too stressful for me

( )

( )

( )

( )

( )

( )

I am confident that I can understand the material in math

( )

( )

( )

( )

( )

( )

I value math

( )

( )

( )

( )

( )

( )

My math instructor seems to believe that students have a certain amount of intelligence, and they really can't do much to change it.

( )

( )

( )

( )

( )

( )

My math instructor seems to believe that every student can learn new things, but they can't really change their basic intelligence

( )

( )

( )

( )

( )

( )

My math instructor seems to believe that students either "have it" or they don't.

( )

( )

( )

( )

( )

( )

My math instructor cares about whether or not I succeed in math.

( )

( )

( )

( )

( )

( )

 


Your thoughts about science

SCIENCE

The next set of questions asks about your thoughts and feelings about Science. This includes Science courses you might be enrolled in at this institution and Science in general. Read each sentence and mark the choice that shows how much you agree with it. Remember, there are no right or wrong answers.
 

 

Strongly Disagree

Disagree

Slightly Disagree

Slightly Agree

Agree

Strongly Agree

I believe that I can be successful in science.

( )

( )

( )

( )

( )

( )

I think science is important

( )

( )

( )

( )

( )

( )

You can learn new things, but you can’t really change your basic science intelligence

( )

( )

( )

( )

( )

( )

I think science is useful.

( )

( )

( )

( )

( )

( )

Your science intelligence is something about you that you can’t change very much.

( )

( )

( )

( )

( )

( )

I’m unable to put in the time needed to do well in science.

( )

( )

( )

( )

( )

( )

I have to give up too much to do well in science.

( )

( )

( )

( )

( )

( )

You have a certain amount of science. intelligence and you really can’t do much to change it.

( )

( )

( )

( )

( )

( )

What I learn in my science classes will help me in my future career.

( )

( )

( )

( )

( )

( )

To be honest, I just don’t find what we learn in science to be interesting.

( )

( )

( )

( )

( )

( )

I sometimes feel like other students on campus have science skills that I don’t.

( )

( )

( )

( )

( )

( )

I feel more academically prepared in science than other students at this college/university.

( )

( )

( )

( )

( )

( )

What I learn in my science classes will be useful in the future.

( )

( )

( )

( )

( )

( )

My science class is too stressful for me

( )

( )

( )

( )

( )

( )

I am confident that I can understand the material in science

( )

( )

( )

( )

( )

( )

I value science

( )

( )

( )

( )

( )

( )

My science instructor seems to believe that students have a certain amount of intelligence, and they really can't do much to change it.

( )

( )

( )

( )

( )

( )

My science instructor seems to believe that every student can learn new things, but they can't really change their basic intelligence

( )

( )

( )

( )

( )

( )

My science instructor seems to believe that students either "have it" or they don't.

( )

( )

( )

( )

( )

( )

My science instructor cares about whether or not I succeed in science.

( )

( )

( )

( )

( )

( )

 


Demographics

What is your marital status?

( ) Single

( ) Married

( ) Partnered

( ) Divorced

( ) Widowed

Are you the primary caregiver, guardian, or parent for a child under the age of 18?

( ) Yes  ( ) No

If you have children who live with you, please indicate how many.

( ) 1 ( ) 2 ( ) 3 ( ) 4 ( ) 5 ( ) 6 ( ) 7 ( ) 8 ( ) 9 ( ) 10 ( ) N/A

Are you the primary caregiver or guardian for an adult needing care?
 

( ) Yes  ( ) No

Do you plan to work off campus (either for pay or volunteer) during the term?

( ) Yes  ( ) No

How many hours a week do you plan to work off campus?

 

Sun

Mon

Tues

Weds

Thurs

Fri

Sat

Hours

1-8+

1-8+

1-8+

1-8+

1-8+

1-8+

1-8+

 

What kind of setting did you spend the majority of life prior to attending college/university?

( ) Urban

( ) Suburban

( ) Small City

( ) Small Town

( ) Rural

Do you use public transportation to attend college?

( ) Yes  ( ) No ( ) No, but I would if public transit was available ( ) Sometimes

What language(s) are spoken in your home?

Primary Language: _________________________________________________

Secondary Language: _________________________________________________

How would you describe your current financial circumstances in general?

( ) 
I cannot make ends meet          ( ) I am barely making it       ( ) I am breaking even           ( ) I have extra money after paying the bills ( ) I do not have to worry about money

What is your yearly household income? (If you are unsure, please provide your best estimate)

( ) < $15,000

( ) $15,001 - $25,000

( ) $25,001 - $35,000

( ) $35,001 - $50,000

( ) $50,001 - $75,000

( ) $75,001 - $100,000

( ) $100,001 - $150,000

( ) > $150,000

( ) I don't know

In the past 12 months, have you ever lacked a fixed, regular, and adequate nighttime residence?

( ) Yes  ( ) No

In the past 12 months, have you ever couch-surfed or stayed with friends/peers because you had no other place to live?

( ) Yes  ( ) No


Think of this scale as representing where people stand in the United States. At 10 are the people who are the best off – those who have the most money, the most education, and the most respected jobs. At 1 are the people who are worst off – who have the least money, least education, and the least respected jobs or no job. The higher up you are on this scale, the closer you are to the people at the very top; the lower you are, the closer you are to the people at the very bottom. 

Where would you place yourself on this scale?

(1 = the people at the very bottom) (10 = the people at the very top)
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

What is the highest level of education completed by your parent/guardian/parental-figure and any of your siblings? If you have siblings, what is the educational attainment of the brother and/or sister with the highest level?

 


Elementary or Middle School


Some High School


High School Graduate


Post High School Vocational Training


Some College


Associate's Degree


Bachelor's Degree


Post Graduate Degree (Masters, Doctorate, etc.)


I don't know/ Uncertain

Father

( )

( )

( )

( )

( )

( )

( )

( )

( )

Mother

( )

( )

( )

( )

( )

( )

( )

( )

( )

Guardian/Other Parental Figure

( )

( )

( )

( )

( )

( )

( )

( )

( )

Brothers including Step/Half

( )

( )

( )

( )

( )

( )

( )

( )

( )

Sisters including Step/Half

( )

( )

( )

( )

( )

( )

( )

( )

( )