Challenges and predictors of academic success in higher education

Joana R. Casanova

COORDINATOR

SYMPOSIUM SPEAKERS
Short CV

Researcher at the Research Center on Education (CIEd) with teaching collaboration in the Department of Educational Psychology and Special Education at the Institute of Education, University of Minho, Portugal.

PhD in Educational Sciences, specializing in Educational Psychology, from the University of Minho, with a project titled “The Dropout of Higher Education Students: A Study of Personal and Contextual Variables,” funded by the Portuguese Foundation for Science and Technology.

Completed a Postdoctoral Fellowship in the SMOOTH Project – Educational Commons and Active Social Inclusion (H2020) at the Research Center on Child Studies (CIEC), University of Minho.

Holds a degree in Psychology and a Master’s in Clinical and Health Psychology. She is a licensed psychologist, full member, and specialist in Clinical and Health Psychology recognized by the Portuguese Psychologists Association (No. 14720) and is part of the Mental Health and Psychosocial Support Team of the Portuguese Red Cross.

She collaborates on international research projects and local outreach initiatives. She is the author and co-author of several national and international presentations and articles. Her research interests focus on the conditions for success, retention, and dropout of students in Higher Education.

Email: joanacasanova@ie.uminho.pt

Webpage: https://www.cienciavitae.pt/portal/D61A-C443-E18B

Symposium abstract

Entering higher education marks a crucial stage in students’ lives, offering opportunities for personal and academic growth but also presenting significant challenges. This period, especially during the first year, represents a transitional phase where students face the need to adapt to new academic, social, and emotional demands. These circumstances can directly influence their performance, academic success, and retention in university settings. This symposium aims to bring together and present various contributions that delve into the key factors determining student success and retention in higher education. Among the topics addressed are the impact of academic stress, active participation in formative activities, perceived self-efficacy, and how these elements are interrelated with success rates and dropout rates in university institutions. Furthermore, the practical implications of these findings will be discussed to design and implement effective strategies and interventions that support students during this critical stage of their educational journey. This forum seeks to contribute to the understanding of the current challenges in higher education, offering tools and innovative approaches to foster resilience, motivation, and student success.