Determining factors that shape students’ successful completion at university has been a prevalent topic in the higher education sector to address attrition issues. The aim of this paper is to focus on the impact of socio-cultural factors of student’s lives on university expectations, success and completion. Through qualitative methodology; focus group, interview and ethnography, this paper explores the role of social environment on university aspirations and what social-cultural factors influence success. The findings indicate that university success is influenced by parental expectations and conflicting priorities; and university success is a consequence of family and friends supportive role. The findings implicate that although prior research focuses on individual characteristics of students’ higher education aspirations and success, the social structure resources students rely on plays a critical role in understanding student engagement and attrition at university.
Although it is well documented that individual attributes such as motivation and academic ability influence success at university, recent research highlights that a complex set of socio-cultural factors influence student engagement and attrition (Lobo, 2012). In a recent study by Hobson APAC (2014), on Australian university student’s engagement and attrition, majority of participants listed ‘personal reasons’ as the reason for leaving university. These personal reasons included difficulty of fitting study in with family and work commitments and finances. In another study on student attrition, student expectations and perceptions of university were identified as a factor influencing success (Lobo, 2012). This paper will explore how socio-cultural elements of student’s lives impact their studies to better understand the realities of student life and their path to success at
A first-generation college student is someone whose folks didn’t attend or graduated from college. Many times, students face this reality and have no one to rely on. Some of the challenges this students face are unique psychological challenges. Although there is upportive staff in college, one of the most important roles of a family is support. Their family may see their entry to college as an insult or misunderstood their reason for wanting to have a major. In families, role are assign to each member such as working, cleaning or taking care of others. When one of the family members decides to interference with this system to attend to college, this one leading the student to a loss of personality.
In today’s society there is a lot of pressure on students to make this huge payment to go to college, and due to an ungodly amount of money being thrown into universities students feel as though they will be handed a degree in return but that’s not the case at all. In the article “Let’s clarify the ‘College Worth It’ Conversation” by Andrew Kelly he gives the statistics that 45% percent of college students do not finish their degree. High schools need to better inform students interested in furthering their education with these statistics. This can be extremely eye opening to students who think college will be an easy journey with low expectations. I have learned that the more effort and participation I put into my education the more enjoyable and worth the money it seems to
According to current estimates approximately 75 percent of college students are now nontraditional students – older than 25, attending school part time, and having delayed entry or reentry into college for a variety of personal reasons. Post secondary education is needed by such students to develop their careers and to acquire new skills and knowledge in a global society where they are likely to have longer life spans than did workers in the past. This trend is not restricted to North America; it is a worldwide phenomenon.
Shoup, Rick. Kinzie, Julian. “Unmasking the Effects of Student Engagement on First-Year College Grades and Persistence.” Journal of Higher Education. Sep/Oct2008, Vol. 79 Issue 5, p540-563. Web. 29 April 2014.
Many students struggle with college for various reasons, whether it is financial, academics, or personal. We may not fully understand why college students struggle the way they do; however, it does not mean help is unavailable. “Clearly, many of the benefits that accrue from a college education are explained by the knowledge, skills, and contacts that students gain from their time on campus and in the classroom (Brock 2)”. A certain degree of success in life can be related to the amount and quality of education which can also relate to income.
Every year, thousands and thousands of students graduate from high school ready to embark one of life’s greatest adventures. Many students feel as if high school was tough and an awkward time for them. Some will encounter times when bullies are rude and nasty to them. Others will not have to deal with any negativity and have a great experience, but will not want to go back. After high school life goes on, many students choose different paths other than to continue their education but most of the students that graduate from high school are given the opportunity to attend colleges and universities all around the nation and obtain an education. Although not all students will get to fulfill this opportunity due to different circumstances, such as the expense or some of them may already have a family to take care of and have to go straight to work after graduation. For those students that do have the opportunity and are able to take it, it’s recommended they do. Once a higher education level is achieved, no one can take it away from them. It makes the chances of getting a job easier and also get a higher pay. An education should never be taken for granted because not everyone gets to have one, setting a goal and staying focused on
Mark Edmundson, published the essay “Who Are You and What Are You Doing Here” on August 22, 2011 in the Oxford American. Edmundson received his education at Yale University and is currently a professor of English at Virginia University. In the beginning of the essay, He describes the initial feelings of a new college student and explains what is expected throughout the process. He adamantly expresses the need to find oneself, which he feels is the true meaning behind achieving higher education. He describes sources of pressure students face when trying to get an education, which include expectations from society, family, and even the university the student is attending. The institutions are pressuring students to avoid making an impact on society and only getting a degree for the purpose getting a job.
If interested in attending college after high school, being accepted to a “dream” college or a college of interest could end up being one of the largest milestones in a person’s life. Being accepted to that college could change a person’s life forever however, on the other hand if acceptance to the university was denied; it could result in detrimental effects on a person’s life. Although being accepted into a person’s dream college may not the maximal point in their lives’, it could cause an array of different things to occur. They would then be faced with the challenge of making the decision to attend a different university. However, another situation may transpire such as that person not being accepted to any college that they apply to, or one that doesn’t supply the inspiration that was present prior to the application of their dream college being denied. In almost any circumstance of denial to a person’s college of choice, upshots could occur that have life-long effects on a person’s life which is something most future college students would rather not have to deal with. Being admitted to a certain college is an extremely delicate process which varies from university to university which creates an ideal atmosphere for denial to a certain college if certain aspects of the student’s admittance application do not meet the universities’ requirements for admission. This is where problems begin to rise in the collegiate academic system which could prevent some future college students from getting the education they desire and being forced to settle just because they scored poorly on a single test or struggled through high school for some reason or another. Colleges rely too heavily on academic performance based upon prior knowledge ...
In our literature review, we discuss studies that examine college students’ grades and learning experiences (Garg, Melanson, Levin, 2007; Alika & Ogboro, 2012; Deonno & Fagan, 2013; Pong, Dronkers & Hamden-Thompson, 2003). We also explore student’s educational aspirations and goals (Garg, et al, 2007; Alika & Ogboro, 2012; Deonno & Fagan, 2013; Pong, et al, 2003). Furthermore, we look at the impact of family involvement on student’s educaton (Alika 2012; Garg, et al, 2007). We also consider the influence of parent’s educational history and financial situation on student’s education (Garg et al, 2007; Pong et al, 2003, Hamden-Thompson, 2013).
Adult students' participation and persistence in educational activities ranging from adult literacy to doctoral programs is a complex phenomenon involving an array of factors. Adults are often affected by situational factors beyond their control—job, health problems, financial problems, legal problems, personal or family problems (Belzer 1998). Likewise, dispositional factors such as expectations, self-esteem, level of family support, and past educational experience, can be barriers to participation (Hubble 2000). Institutional factors such as red tape, program fees, scheduling, and procedures can either help or hinder participation (Quigley 1998). In fact, adult students who drop out are often actually "stopping out"—that is, interrupting their studies but planning to return (Frank and Gaye 1997)—or attending other institutions (Hoffman and Elias 1999).
It seems as though the majority of college students these days aren’t looking to further their education because it’s what they really want, they do it to please their parents, to be accepted by society, or because there’s nothing else for them to do (Bird, 372). These expectations have led to students being unhappy and stressed, and have pushed them into a school or a job that they don’t particularly care for.
Milem, J., & Berger, J. (1997). A modified model of college student persistence: Exploring the relationship between Astin’s theory of involvement and Tinto’s theory of student departure. Journal of College Student Development, 38, 387- 400.
Since the early 70s theorists have pondered the causes of college dropout. Generally referred to as “student attrition,” this problem has spurred numerous causal theories and theoretical models. Vincent Tinto led the research with his revolutionary 1973 study, which he later revised (1987) amid criticism from other luminaries in the field, most notably Bean, Astin, Terenzini, and Pascarella. It is on the work of these scholars (including also Tinto) that all modern research in the student attrition field is based. I found and will review in brief some of the extensive research from Tinto to the present, including the basic criticisms therein. I will further explain the steps some colleges are currently taking to counteract this increasingly important issue.
College is a new setting for most students, especially the ones no longer living at home. The transition can be easy and worry-free, or a challenging and stressful time. Brougham states, “Growth and change were often accompanied by the experience of stress. The cause of stress varies from person to person. Overall there can be similarities such as ’academics, social relationships, finances, daily hassles and family relationships’ (Brougham, 2009, pg 86). As student, academics is the reason why we are in school; we are aiming to get educated and to learn. Family relationships vary from student to student depending on how close the family is. My immediate family and extended family have such a close bond that when I am needed at home, I drop everything for them. Social relationships are smaller support systems individuals can count on. Finances all come down to economic status and a person’s unique financial aid package. Daily hassles range from what I should wear today to not having enough time in a day.
In conclusion, factors like motivation, life responsibilities and socio-economic background play an important role in student academic