First-year course experience and college adjustment: a case study

Abstract

This is a study on first year students’ experiences to adjusting to university life. Secondary data analysis was carried out on 49 cases, where students were required to record how they view university life and how they have adjusted. Thematic analysis was used. Results indicate that first-year students struggled with their academic, personal and social lives as well as attaching to the institution. For students to survive in an institution there is need for systems that can support them like the First Year Experience (FYE) course to help them connect to their new environment.