The psychosocial experiences of first year students at the university of North West and the effect of these experiences on the students' academic performance

Abstract

The objective of the study is to show whether there is a relationship between first year students' psychosocial experiences and their academic performance. One hundred and five ( 105) first year students participated, of whom 64,8% were females and 35,2% males. The results of the study indicate that most of the first year students did not feel accepted in their first day at University of North West and that they had feelings of insecurity and fear about the future. They felt intimidated or threatened and did not want to join social and cultural activities on campus. The results of the study show that a large percentage of students believed that there was an importance in involving oneself in social and cultural activities. Students who where performing well academically recommended involvement in cultural and social activities. Students who made use of the academic support at the University had their marks improving. Students in residence and those living with their friends showed a high motivation in their studies. These students interacted more frequently with their peers and with academic staff. It is recommended that the university should create opportunities and conditions that will foster acceptance of first year students. There should be a joint partnership in the involvement of parents' lecturers and senior students in their handling of first-year students on arrival at university. This partnership will enable first year students' entrance to campus an easy task that they can handle. It is further recommended that the student representative council as the mother body of the student organization should initiate programmes in consultation with all existing student organizations and university organizations to work collaboratively in enhancing first year students' expenences.