Identify the key issues and challenges that students experience when they transition to university that are presented in academic literature
Student transition to university introduces a lot new experiences and challenges for example, they struggle to get used to doing independent learning as they come from a system where teachers explain everything step by step. In a research study, Bingham and O’Hara (2007) found that students struggle to become ‘autonomous’ learners, and argued that therefore they should not be ‘spoon fed’ (cited in Leese, 2010, p 241).
Predicting students expectation is another issue students go through when they transition to higher education. In a questionnaire, students “stated that they had mixed feelings about coming to university, and this was because they expected it to be ‘different’ to what they had experienced so far in education” (Leese, 2010, 244). Wintre and Yaffe (2000) have stated that real students experience in higher education is much tougher and demanding than what they expect it to be. Students also specified that it was hard to comprehend academic personnel choice of words used when communicating. “There may be mismatch between the students’ pre-transfer aspirations and the reality of their first year at university (Tranter, 2003; Smith and Hopkins, 2005), which causes difficulty in adapting to higher education” (cited in Briggs et al., 2012, p.5).
Adapting to university life is another challenge student’s face as they have to
The book emphasizes challenges that can help students transition into college such as teaching, learning and college life in general. Millis also added that Light had the students conduct an interview to provide data which followed a structured
Transitioning into higher education presents challenges for all students, whether it’s their age or previous educational history. Numerous individuals are extremely nervous as they are entering into an advanced environment such as higher education. This because college is a new learning environment at a completely different level. However, freshmen find college to be difficult at first because it’s harder for them to adjust. That’s why many universities should have student centers in place to help students. Student centers give students the pathway for flexible learning as it results in being successful in higher education (Baužienė & Vosyliūtė 2015).
Coming to college as an adult, we have many expectations and preconceptions of what college will or will not be. The expectations we have can influence our college life for the better or the worse. My experience since starting college has been an interesting one. People have misconceptions about college because they do not know what to expect. After doing some research, I have concluded that there are three major factors that are often misunderstood about college life. The first is the financial aspect of college. Second, is the relationship between the professors and students. Third is time management. These three factors play an important role in why people are afraid to go down the path to college.
Nowadays students regard universities and colleges as institutions that exist to provide them with a learning opportunity and a qualification instead of providing them with instruction. Benlow compares student culture to the current consumerist culture and continues on to say that some students enter universities believing that the fast-food principles of convenience, on demand, and instant response can be generalized to education. From Petra Pepellashi’s “What is Education,” it is in fact the educators that define expectations to which students blindly attempt to adhere to. She wrote “that authority tells us the purpose of education is to succeed as a worker, and we accept the idea” (539) and furthermore adds that “although some may focus upon the aspect of fulfillment of expectations, the most critical factor remains that adherence was to the expectations of authority as of what “is”” (539). Today’s university students are draw1n from a highly diverse set of backgrounds. Often students’ expectations are based on exaggerated perceptions of what their parents
There are many challenges that first generation students face in pursuit of a college degree:
In the article “Academic culture shock” author Godwin A. Kara discuss about the American academic institutions and the culture shock faced by the international students and scholars in the academic system. In the opening lines the author states “There is a gradual increase in the number of international students and scholars every year in United States”. The author also points out the differences in the academic traditions. He highlights the adjustments and challenges the international students face in American institutions. The issues faced by the international teaching faculty are also discussed. The author tries to point out that the cultural shock faced by the international students affects their academic success and that the American academic institutions should recognize and support the international students.
As educators we are called to analyze important issues that shape the learning experiences of our students. One of the major concerns of today’s educators is the so called racial or class groups that are present in our lower income demographics. These groups, which tend to encompass minorities and other non-dominant cultures, are affecting the quality and experiences of thousands of students nationwide. The children of these groups are suffering from external hindrances in pursuing their education. These hindrances come in many forms but equal out to less opportunities and fewer tools for success. Through this critical analysis, outside forces such as; economic and race privilege, prejudice or racism, and discipline data will be explored to answer the question of why these ‘gaps’ in student learning are occurring.
|Entering a university, as everything that is new in our lives, can be terrifying at first, but with a
I developed various character traits and skills throughout my unique undergraduate experience. One aspect that made my undergraduate experience unique was the speed at which I completed both of my degrees. I will graduate summa cum laude from my university having only spent two and half years in college. Another aspect that made my undergraduate experience unique was my level of involvement both on and off campus.
What do think when you hear student success? Many people think different things. For example, student success could be a student having a good job in something they specialized on, and are living on their own without anybody's help. There are several different ways student succeed and ways to change schools in order for their students to succeed as well in this article. For instance, Anaheim High Schools can improve student success if we have longer school days, make the student be interested in school and on what they are learning, and having more after school programs that interest kids and will keep their minds off of bad things.
Successful college experiences revolve around three major areas: the transition, being successful in classes/schoolwork, and involvement. These three areas have been determined from my work in the Housing and Residential Programs Department for the past three years, as this is my first lass focusing on student development theories. The three areas are must all be present in some way, shape, or form in order for success. The first step is the transition from high school to college. This is inclusive of moving away from home, and entering into an entirely different miniature society. Incoming students need to learn to adapt to their new surroundings, develop relationships, and a find their support system. Adaptation is important, for many
Are you aware that at least forty percent of the United States is made up of first-generation students? (Earl, 1987.) Being given the label “first-generation,” by definition, means that a student is the first in his or her family to attend and finish college with a college degree. In Hicks 2006 study, he compared the educational barriers of first-generation students to those non-first-generation students. As a result, Hicks found out the first-generation students had different expectations of college, poor academic abilities, lack of social skills, low self-esteem, and more financial restrictions (Hicks, 2003; Thayer, 2000). There are many challenges that first-generation students face in pursuit of a college degree: academic challenges,
For first year students coming straight from high school, college life can either be very exciting or overwhelming depending on how well one prepares for it. Some have the notion that college is fun and is all about partying, while some believe that it is an environment in which they can achieve the ultimate freedom thus escape the stringent rules made by their parents at home. Others look forward to experiencing a different learning environment while being exposed to different cultures and sharing different academic knowledge. Successful assimilation into college life is determined by the student’s capability to transform into the new role of a college student. Numerous students face challenges they have never experienced before which can
Virtual worlds have solved many of the challenges faced by educational institutions. Today, hundreds of colleges, universities and other learning organizations are either augmenting their current traditional classroom curriculum with a virtual learning component or are holding classes and entire programs exclusively in immersive learning environments in Second Life. Second Life’s persistent virtual environments give students an opportunity to work together synchronously and then return, individually or as a team. The learning space is always equally available, for geographically dispersed groups as well as for those who meet regularly in the physical world. This is especially useful when students require more flexible schedules or need to work asynchronously on the same project.
This essay will examine how social skills and personal attributes help first year university students in the way to academic success. Glogowska, Young and Lockyer (as cited in Richardson, King, Garrett & Wrench, 2012, p.88) noted that many first year students decide to leave university as the consequence of health issue and academic challenges. Concern that academic skills are not enough for students to deal with the problem of transition period and students need more skills and abilities to reach their academic goals.