The purpose of this study was to examine the extent to which controllable institutional variables, as perceived by Black college students, are related to their academic performance. The population for this study came from an historically Black college in Atlanta, Georgia. Using an Ex Post Facto research design, the study focused on the freshman year experience by asking 38 second year computer science and mathematics majors to review their freshman year retrospectively. Data were collected from the population using the Student Survey on Awareness and Utilization Instrument. Pearson correlation and regression were used to analyze the data. The study revealed that there is a significant relationship between 7 of the awareness and utilization variables (independent) and students• academic performance (dependent). The study concludes by recommending that colleges institutionalize certain practices for freshmen in order to enhance their academic prowess.