A longitudinal study of college students’ communication competence

Abstract

This research examines the development of communication competence in college students and how communication factors are related to college success. College students’ communication competence was assessed yearly for four years. Results suggested that communication competence decreased significantly during the sophomore year, but then increased the junior and senior years while communication apprehension and interaction involvement scores remained steady. These results were discussed in light of “sophomore slump,”; a period of change and uncertainty many college students experience. Also, communication apprehension, communication courses, and extracurricular communication experiences were the best predictors of college success.