This paper examines students' perspectives on the main transitional challenges experienced when commencing higher education. It explores which students are most affected by the transition and is the first paper to provide an overview of student recommendations to help improve the transition in an Irish context. The study involves large-scale surveys and focus groups across four higher education institutions and explores a range of transitional challenges (including academic, social and course-specific aspects). Over 1,100 student suggestions to improve transition are analysed and many of these recommendations could be easily implemented beyond Ireland. Ten overall recommendations are made which include, among others, specific supports for mature students and those with longer commuting distances, course-specific introductory skills modules to be given by current students, a first year 'starter' pack with course-specific orientation materials, and the introduction of a student-shadowing programme for prospective students.