Transition from High School to University: Challenges faced by First-year B.Ed. Students at a University of Technology in South Africa

Abstract

The recent Council on Higher Education report avers that Higher Education in South Africa experiences serious shortcomings in graduate output and outcomes. The report corroborated the general belief pervading existing research into students’ first-year university experiences. Students are unable to cope with the rigours of academics during this transition. Furthermore, research, especially from the field of psychology, also holds that first-year students struggle to succeed in their first year due to emotional and behavioural problems. However, this study argued that the transition from high school to university is a period characterised by mismatches and discontinuities in the lives of students. The purpose of this article was to investigate the mismatch and discontinuities, expressed as the articulation gap in the exposition of the article, experienced by first-year students at a university of technology. Data was drawn, using a cutting-edge qualitative instrument, from selected first-year B.Ed. students. The findings revealed that first-year students’ high school experiences are often not replayed at university. Students experience a myriad of new challenges which require new ways of learning (academic), and new ways of relating to peers (social challenges). The study recommended that universities need to engage in full orientation programmes to narrow the transition gap between high schools and universities. Universities should also provide ongoing programmes for mentoring, counselling and support services to help students navigate social and psychological challenges. Keywords: Transition; Behavioural Problem; Challenges; Emotions