Facebook associations enhance the confidence levels of first-generation college applicants and help them succeed in their studies, say researchers from the University of Michigan and Michigan State University.
"We are very excited by these findings, because they suggest that the kinds of interactions supported by Facebook and other social media can play a role in helping young people, especially those who are traditionally less likely to go to college, feel more confident about their ability to get into college and to succeed there," said Nicole Ellison, Ph.D., associate professor at the U-M School of Information.
Ellison said that the social network motivates them as they frequently come in touch with people who support and share their interest in college or clarify their questions about it.
"Our message to high school students is that even if they are disadvantaged in terms of financial resources or parental support, social media can help them access resources they may already have in their extended social networks," said D. Yvette Wohn.
Researchers approached more than 500 high school students in lower-income Muskegon County, Mich. They also analysed the factors surrounding demographics, family history of college attendance, parents' community involvement, and both informational and emotional support by parents, friends and Facebook connections.
Next, the survey measured students' knowledge on the college application process. The survey asked the respondents about their social media use while applying for college. Out of the participants, 12 percent had used social media to obtain information on applying for schools. They were 1.8 times more certain about the application process, when compared to students who did not use social media for this kind of information.
Overall, 70 percent of the respondents had a Facebook friend who either was in college or had passed out and could clarify questions regarding it. Such students were 2.3 times surer about succeeding in school, in comparison with their fellow students who had no Facebook friend they could discuss about college.
