Logo site

Practical Strategies for Student Success in Higher Education

Evidence-informed teaching practices, learning support models, and instructional strategies designed to improve student motivation, retention, and academic confidence.

Search on Cfder.org Blog

Micro-Skills for Academic Success

Which Citation Style to Teach First-Year Students?

Reading Time: 4 minutesWhen it comes to teaching academic writing in the first year of college, few topics seem as technical — or as intimidating — as citation styles. For many students just entering higher education, the rules of referencing feel foreign, rigid, and sometimes arbitrary. And for instructors and tutors in developmental education, the challenge lies in […]

September 15, 2025 4 min read
Motivation & Mindset

Psychological Foundations of Student Motivation

Reading Time: 3 minutesIntroduction: In the realm of education, one critical aspect that can make or break a student’s journey is motivation. It is the driving force behind learning and achieving academic success. As we delve into the topic of “Psychological Foundations of Student Motivation,” we’ll uncover the profound impact it has on students’ lives. What’s more, we’ll […]

September 15, 2025 3 min read
Motivation & Mindset

Developmental Education in Higher Education

Reading Time: 2 minutesDevelopmental Education The National Center for Developmental Education describes the field of developmental education as supporting “the academic and personal growth of under-prepared college students through instruction, counseling, advising, and tutoring. The clients of developmental education programs are traditional and nontraditional students who have been assessed as needing to develop their skills in order to […]

September 15, 2025 2 min read
Formative Assessment and Feedback Strategies

Peer Tutoring in Higher Education: Benefits, Ethics, and Best Practices

Reading Time: 2 minutesPeer Tutoring The Association for the Tutoring Profession has adopted the following Code of Ethics which are widely accepted within professional tutoring organizations: Best Interest: Tutors will be committed to acting in the best interest of tutees as specified by the employing organization or institute. Responsibility: Tutors will take responsibility for their own behavior and […]

September 15, 2025 2 min read
Micro-Skills for Academic Success

A Step-by-Step Guide: How to Write an Engaging Narrative Essay.

Reading Time: 7 minutesNarrative essays are a popular form of writing that allows you to share a personal experience or tell a story in a creative and engaging way. Whether you’re writing for school, work, or just for fun, a well-written narrative essay can captivate your readers and leave a lasting impression. In this guide, we’ll break down […]

September 12, 2025 7 min read
Academic Support Design

Student Success and Retention Strategies Library

Reading Time: < 1 minuteStudent Success and Retention Strategies Library A curated hub of research-backed resources on student retention, peer tutoring, supplemental instruction, motivation, and developmental education. Explore practical guides, PDFs, and overviews designed to help instructors improve persistence, engagement, and learning outcomes. Retention & Persistence: evidence-based frameworks and first-year success insights Peer & Supplemental Instruction: definitions, models, and […]

September 12, 2025 < 1 min read
Academic Support Design

Understanding Student Retention in Education

Reading Time: 3 minutesStudent retention has become one of the most important indicators of educational success. It reflects how well schools, colleges, and universities can keep students enrolled and engaged until they complete their programs. Retention is not only a measure of academic quality but also a signal of institutional health, student satisfaction, and long-term societal benefits. This […]

September 12, 2025 3 min read