There are a number of factors that both negatively and positively affect the adjustment to university life among first year students. These factors, namely, the involvement in extra-curricular activities, new-found expectations of the student and the issue of homesickness can affect the student’s overall university experience, ultimately making it a memorable one, or a time in that individual’s life that was not so memorable. This adjustment does not come naturally to all students, and by discussing the factors that affect this adjustment, so it will become clearer as to why some students cope with said adjustment, whilst others find it rather challenging. Involvement in extra-curricular or out-of-class activities is said to be a crucial factor …show more content…
Expectations, in all its forms is another major factor in the transition from high school to university, among young adults. These expectations rarely positively impact this transition. And unlike, involvement, which is usually voluntary, these expectations which are made up of an necessary ‘smooth’ integration into university, meeting certain academic and social demands, whilst ‘still having fun’, is not optional for these terrified first-years. It is in a sense, do or die. This does not even touch base with the additional challenges that international students are faced with, examples being cultural differences and language barriers. All these expectations are there, not for the student to over-achieve during the course of their studies at university but to merely ‘settle in’, hence one could argue the unrealistic nature of these expectations. The first-year student, many of whom have just graduated from the comfort of high school, find themselves faced with new found academic challenges, having to participate in as much as possible, establish friendships, be social and pro-active, make conscious career choices and take responsibility of their independence. (Aladag, 2009 et el …show more content…
And whilst some factors are controlled by the students and others not, it is again up to the student (as far as possible) to make the most of their circumstances, ultimately reassuring a more positive outlook on life, and in turn, combatting the challenges brought about by unstructured involvement in extra-curricular activities, unrealistic expectations and intense
Teens today are fighting a losing battle against stress. Schools pressure teens into competing in tests and even when applying to colleges. According to Noelle Leonard, PhD, a senior research scientist at the New York University college of Nursing "School, homework, extracurricular activities, sleep, repeat—that's what it can be for some of these students." Pressure from parents who expect too much, struggling with school work, applying to colleges, and participating in extracurricular activities all contribute to a teenager’s stress level. More than 27% of teens during the school year claim that they deal with “extreme stress” (Jayson Sharon, USA Today) that can affect everyday living for them, along with a majority of other stressors.
Society views college as the door way to success. However, many people fail to realize the same effort put into college also needs application after or failure starts creeping in from the side. Anna Chinero, a recent graduate, moved back home after failing to find a job. Chinero concludes her article, “Elevated by the Train”, by expressing, “instead of always looking out toward somewhere else, I’m beginning to look around here, wondering how I can make this neighborhood the better place my parents always sought for me.” Many graduates, like Ana, loose direction in attempting to achieve their dreams they possessed entering college.
1a:“College is a singular opportunity to rummage through and luxuriate in ideas, to give your brain a vigorous workout and your soul a thorough investigation, to realize how very large the world is and to contemplate your desired place in it. And that’s being lost in the admissions mania, which sends the message that college is a sanctum to be breached — a border to be crossed — rather than a land to be inhabited and tilled for all that it’s worth. ”(Bruni 10) 1b: This passage, which is included in the final pages of Bruni’s introduction, helps define both his thoughts on the purpose of college and, at the same time, why he believes the rapidly increasing focus on college admissions is a problem.
As I look back on my journey to college, I faced many different problems and disadvantages even before taking my first steps on campus. In Linda Banks-Santilli’s “Guilt is one of the biggest struggles first-generation college students face” many first generation students view being the first one in the family as a major flaw before entering college (Banks-Santilli, 2015, Par. 4 &7). The lack of self-respect makes it difficult for students to achieve success without help or motivation. The students have to change their viewpoint about being the first to go to college in their family as a weakness and make it a strength to help motivate them to be better students.
Alfred Lubrano the author of “the shock of Education: How college Corrupts” explains the differences and difficulties of what students can go through while they are in college. Lubrano says that when a student arrives at college, they lose their connection to their families. This is due to the extreme workload put on the student by the professors they don’t have the time to really chat with their parents like they used to when they lived at home. Also if there is an enormous distance gap where the students go to college and where their parents live it may create that sense like they don’t know each other anymore. I agree do with Alfred that college students change once they go to college they start grow apart from their families.
Students are expected to be involved, have friends, get a part-time job, and aim for a good night of sleep, all
In his Essay “Are too many people going to college,” first published in a 2008 issue of AEI, Charles Murray explores many insights onto the topic of furthering education as well as exploring various other options to pursue after high school. Who exactly would think that too many people are going to college? Well with more and more students flooding campuses at the end of every school year and less and less going into trade schools, a shift in the job market is just beginning to be seen on the horizon. Charles Murray’s essay “Are too many people going to college” shows that not only are there other avenues to pursue a potential life long career, but that much of the time pursuing these avenues may offer better results for some wanting to go to college.
Do you ever wonder what college students fears might be? Do you ever wonder what is going through their mind? In the article “The Student Fear Factor” by Rebecca Cox, it explains many different factors that a college student might be going through. The article gives many point of views from other students and what their thoughts about college was. There are some students who either are incoming high school students or are returning which can be a big fear for them the most because they don’t know what to expect from the campus vibe or even what their teacher can be like.
Every student, after he or she graduates from high school will have the choice of attending to a University or a two year Community College. I remember Lee, my friend Joe’s brother, asking me after I finished high school and whether or not I wanted to join to a University or a two year Community College. At the time, it took me a week to answer his question. Similarly, if I was to ask any student where he or she wants to go after they finish high school, one might find that they’ll receive different answers, and for different reasons. For some students it is best to go to community college and focus on getting an Associate’s Degree or taking transferable courses.
Finding motivation to attend college is easy, keeping the motivation to finish is the difficult part. I decided to enroll in college to earn my Bachelor’s degree in Business with a concentration in Finance. I hope that the degree will give me the opportunity to apply for a better position within the organization that I currently work for. A secondary goal of returning to school is to demonstrate to my son that attending college is required for many jobs and that returning to school as an adult has various difficult challenges. I have been working for the past nine years as an Assistant Financial Officer and am highly competent at my job.
Students become “obsessed with their studies” and nothing else becomes important (Zinsser). This produces an accumulation of students who don’t spend time to do extracurricular activities. The mixture of pressure from peers and from one’s self allows a chain of events that lead to undesirable
For many people, higher education is needed as they pursue their desired career paths. However, the same seven deadly sins of lust, gluttony, envy, greed, anger, sloth, and pride that keep one unhappy and unmotivated in everyday life, even if one does not realize these are the source of their unhappiness, can also be applied even more specifically to students. Most will struggle with at least one of these areas, if not all of them, in their academic journey. Being aware of the common potential downfalls, though, can better set up a student opportunities to overcome them. This, in turn, will help them in overcoming obstacles in their life after school as well.
She discusses how students' academics, health, and economic contributions are affected by the unreachable standards society sets for them and that we have to be the ones to turn it around. Ramsey provides the audience with ideas on how to make a difference for the generations to come, like to educate on body confidence, to be better role models, and to work together to change the culture. It is on us, the current generations, to start making changes now so that the generations to come will be happy and confident in
Students face various challenges throughout their college career. Thus, the problems that students have can range from balance, new lifestyle, to financial problems. Therefore, finding a balance between being a student, possibly working, and keeping up with their social life is a necessity. Similarly, others are away from home for the first time thus, they have a new responsibility with being on their own and findings ways to deal with homesickness. Likewise, being exposed to new financial situations is yet another challenge college students will need to learn how to cope with.
Transitioning from high school to college was a big difference. Materials from high school was provided to all students free of charge. Students only needed to buy materials they needed; pens, pencils, notebooks, etc. While in college you're responsible for everything, either you're living on campus or not, it was your responsibility for all materials. I knew college was going to be expensive, but I never realized a simple history book would cost me $250, without tax.