ERIC Number: EJ1187206
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2018
Pages: 14
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-0271-9517
EISSN: N/A
First-Generation Students with Undecided Majors: A Qualitative Study of University Reacculturation
Glaessgen, Tracey A.; MacGregor, Cynthia J.; Cornelius-White, Jeffrey H. D.; Hornberger, Robert S.; Baumann, Denise M.
NACADA Journal, v38 n1 p22-35 2018
When they enter institutions of higher education, students typically leave behind one culture to join another. Despite the higher rates of attrition for first-generation students over continuing-generation students and undecided students over declared students, little research has been focused on undeclared first-generation students. To understand the challenges and experiences of first-generation undecided students transitioning to a new and unfamiliar academic environment, we applied a reacculturation process to this qualitative exploratory case study of 35 students. Data came from interviews, focus group interactions, observations, and written responses to open-ended questions, which were subsequently triangulated. Findings revealed heightened feelings of stress, desire to become comfortable on campus, reliance upon continuing-generation friends, helpfulness of a specialized first-year seminar course, and uncertainty about advisors' roles.
Descriptors: First Generation College Students, Student Adjustment, Focus Groups, Observation, Student Attitudes, Stress Variables, Student School Relationship, Friendship, First Year Seminars, Faculty Advisers, Acculturation, Majors (Students), School Culture, Semi Structured Interviews
National Academic Advising Association. NACADA Executive Office, Kansas State University, 2323 Anderson Avenue Suite 225, Manhattan, KS 66502-2912. Tel: 785-532-5717; Fax: 785-532-7732; e-mail: nacada@ksu.edu; Web site: http://www.nacada.ksu.edu
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: Higher Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A