The Relationship between Demographic Factors and Adjustment to University for Mature-Age, Undergraduate Students

Abstract

It is important that all students who enrol in tertiary institutions can complete their chosen course. A smooth transition is critical in ensuring that the initial experience of university is positive and that students adjust well to the academic, social and personal demands of tertiary study. Some issues of adjustment affect all first-year students, while some are specific to certain demographic groups. Older students may have extra responsibilities and demands on their time, which can have a negative impact on their university adjustment. The experience of transition and ultimate adjustment of 'non-school leavers' or 'mature-age students', those who do not enter university directly from school are relatively unexplored in the existing academic literature. This article reports the specific findings of a broader study involving the transition and adjustment of mature-age, undergraduate students to university (Dawborn-Gundlach, 2015). As part of this study an online survey questionnaire sought information regarding participant adjustment to university according to four scales and ten subscales of adjustment (Baker &Siryk, 1988,1999) and demographic groupings which included; gender, age group, first language spoken, nationality, previous education, family situation, enrolment category and employment details.The study highlights the differences between university adjustment for diverse demographic groups. Significant, positive associations were identified between students who spoke English as their first language and the scales of Social Adjustment, Personal Adjustment and Attachment and with a calculated Overall Index of Adjustment.

What Makes Students Adjust to University? The Predictors of College Adjustment: Systematic Literature Review

“…According to this finding demographic factor such as gender is a significant predictors of academic adjustment (Wider et al, 2016). Another study discovered that adjusting for different demographic groups resulted in Significant, positive associations were found to the Social Adjustment, Personal Adjustment, and Attachment (Dawborn-Gundlach, 2018). The students reported that age played a significant role in college adjustment, as the older students seemed to be more experienced than the younger ones (Zhuhra & Mardiastuti, 2022).…”

Does Assertiveness Correlate with Second-Year Student Adjustment in the College?

“…Preliminary data indicate that the pandemic situation and online learning have posed more significant challenges to the Class of 2021 students in the Psychology Faculty compared to those who experienced the first year before the pandemic. Their initial experiences in tertiary institutions can influence their attitudes and confidence towards their future studies (Dawborn-Gundlach & Margetts, 2018). Meanwhile, the Class of 2021 students will now enter their second year of study, which presents distinct challenges.…”