Empowering success: The Grit-ability toolkit for students in Enabling education

Abstract

For many students, their initial experience at university can determine whether they persist or discontinue higher education entirely. A successful start is not just beneficial; it is transformative, shaping students’ confidence, motivation, and long-term engagement with learning. This study explores the key factors that contribute to student success in Enabling education, particularly for those from equity backgrounds. Using Merriam’s (1998) Case Study methodology, bounded within an Enabling program, and guided by Braun and Clarke’s (2022) Reflexive Thematic Analysis, the research seeks to answer the question: From the perspective of students who successfully completed the STEPS Enabling program, what factors supported their success? Through the experiences shared by participants, four overarching themes were constructed: Personal Agency, Resilience, Positive Mindset, and Connection. These themes encapsulate the psychological, behavioural, and social factors influencing students’ ability to persist and thrive in higher education, providing valuable insights into the multiple layers that support student success. Ultimately, this paper presents the Grit-ability Toolkit and explains how educators in Enabling programs can better support equity students to achieve their academic and personal goals. These findings are based on the experiences of students who successfully completed the STEPS program and should not be interpreted as representing all Enabling students or as an explanation for student non-completion.