“A Freshman and a Junior:” New Research Reveals the Realities of Accelerated College Students in Florida

TAMPA, Fla. – As high school students across Florida pursue more accelerated coursework through dual enrollment, Advanced Placement (AP), International Baccalaureate (IB) and others, more of them are arriving on college campuses with significant college credits accumulated. New research from Helios Education Foundation and Anne’s College at Florida State University examines what happens next. 

“A Freshman and a Junior at the Same Time” explores how accelerated students experience college differently from traditional first-year students, and what that experience suggests about how colleges can continue to evolve their approaches to support advanced credit students. 

“Acceleration pathways are creating meaningful opportunities for students by helping to reduce the cost and time to a degree while building early academic momentum,” said Paul J. Luna, President and CEO of Helios Education Foundation. “At the same time, as more students enter college with advanced standing, this research shows the opportunity that exists to evolve advising, academic planning, and other support systems to better reflect the realities of accelerated students.” 

The research included interviews with 89 accelerated students across four public universities in Florida and found that while many felt academically prepared for college-level coursework, they experienced challenges navigating advising systems, understanding how credits applied or transferred to degree programs, and adjusting to college life. Some students also described compressed timelines that limited opportunities to explore majors, participate in internships, or engage in campus activities traditionally associated with a four-year college experience. 

The report highlights several efforts for institutions to consider when supporting accelerated students, including strengthening advising structures, improving clarity around credit and degree planning, and supporting student belonging and transition. 

“Many of the students we spoke with described very positive experiences with acceleration pathways and felt academically prepared for college-level work,” added Toby Park-Gaghan, Ph.D, an Ann & John Daves Endowed Professor at Florida State University. “What emerged from the interviews was a more nuanced picture of how accelerated students experience college once they arrive on campus – particularly around advising, academic planning, and navigating the college experience in a shorter timeline.”  

“This research helps elevate student voices in a conversation that has largely focused on enrollment and completion outcomes,” said Paul G. Perrault, Ph.D, SVP of Community Impact and Learning at Helios. “As acceleration pathways become increasingly common, understanding the student experience after enrollment is essential to ensuring these pathways fully deliver on their promise.” 

About FSU Anne’s College: 

The roots of FSU Anne Spencer Daves College of Education, Health, and Human Sciences date back to the university’s establishment, and it is the oldest college of its kind in Florida. Recently expanded in 2023, the College is home to six academic departments united through a common goal to maximize human potential. In total, the College includes the Department of Educational Leadership & Policy Studies, Department of Educational Psychology & Learning Systems, Department of Health, Nutrition, and Food Sciences, Department of Human Development & Family Science, Department of Sport Management, School of Teacher Education, numerous research centers, and three laboratory schools (Florida State University School, FSU Pembroke Pines Charter School, and The Collegiate School at FSU Panama City). In 2024, the college was named after alumna and teacher Anne Spencer Daves.