Arctic Yearbook 2014 | Page 174

174 Arctic Yearbook 2014 Figure 2: Factors of Success Figure 2 shows the diverse levels of traditional and unintentional factors that contributed to the success of post-secondary female students. They include university and financial supports, accessibility and adaptation to university programs, strengthening study habits, personal skills and values, having purpose and family and community supports. These factors are related with individual and institutional motivation and commitment to northern and Aboriginal students. When describing what factors contributed to their success, some of the main themes were the support from other students, community and family. This included the impact of going to school in a positive environment where teamwork was emphasized as well as going to school close to home. Research shows that one of the “biggest differences in completion rates were found in relation to how easy it was to socialize with other students and how well students worked together” (Hull, 2009, p. 61). Participants in our study commented how they support each other both logistically and emotionally: I see their struggles and sometimes a lot of them are financial, but I also went to school with a lot of women that have a lot more barriers than I do and I really admired them. I made sure that I was supportive of them as just being their classmate or if they needed a ride or whatever. Just even talking about what we are working on this week or whatever. I have to get this done and you know my daughter was sick or you know, just listening Simpkins & Bonnycastle