How Soft Skills Shape First-Year Success in Higher Education

TL;DR

This study demonstrates that early soft skills training in a dedicated seminar improves first-year computer science students' academic performance, team dynamics, and study readiness, supporting their transition into higher education.

Contribution

It introduces a semi-isolated soft skills intervention integrated with technical courses and evaluates its positive impact on student performance and experiences.

Findings

Seminar participants excelled in presentations and team projects.

Qualitative feedback indicated better team dynamics and preparedness.

Trends suggest improved soft skills, despite some measures not reaching statistical significance.

Abstract

Soft skills are critical for academic and professional success, but are often neglected in early-stage technical curricula. This paper presents a semi-isolated teaching intervention aimed at fostering study ability and key soft skills-communication, collaboration, and project management-among first-year computer science students. The elective seminar Soft Skills and Tools for Studies and Career in IT was alongside a mandatory team-based programming course. We analyze project outcomes and student experiences across three cohorts across three groups: students who attended the seminar, students who teamed up with a seminar attendee, and students with no exposure to the seminar. Results show that seminar participants performed significantly better in individual presentations and team projects. Qualitative feedback further indicates improved team dynamics and study preparedness. Although self-assessed collaboration and communication did not reach statistical significance, consistent trends suggest that early soft skills training enhances academic integration. We recommend embedding such interventions early in technical study programs to support the transition into university life.