The significance of being first: A consideration of cultural capital in relation to “first in family” student’s choices of university and program. A Practice Report

Abstract

This presentation explored the differences between expectations of first in family students and students who have immediate family members (parents, care givers, or siblings) who have attended university before them. The authors draw on Bourdieu's notion of cultural capital to examine how being first in family influences student expectations. Data from a large survey of over 3,000 first year students conducted in 2010 across the three South Australian universities is used to explore the demographic make-up of first in family students, and the choices they make as to what type of university and program they enroll in. Based on qualitative and quantitative data, the authors compare choices of first in family students with those made by non-first in family students. Determining these differences provides opportunities for staff at universities to consider how they may better support students who have the ability, drive and determination to succeed at university but lack the cultural capital and may therefore be thwarted by unforeseen hurdles.

The academic outcomes of first-in-family in an Australian university: An exploratory study.

“…Ninety-seven (46.0%) students were non-FIF. These figures are similar to previous research at Australian universities (Luzeckyj et al, 2011).…”

“…FIF students knew significantly fewer people who had attended university than non-FIF. In their Australian study, Luzeckyj et al (2011) found that FIF students based their expectations of university on sources removed from their familial and friendship networks, while non-FIF students were informed by these networks. Recent research in the US indicates that firstgeneration students exhibit greater confusion regarding expectations related to academic workload and assessment (Collier & Morgan, 2008).…”

“…A survey of 3,091 commencing university students in three South Australian universities found that 41% were FIF (Luzeckyj et al, 2011). These students were more likely to be enrolled in certain degrees (education, economics and science as opposed to law, medicine and engineering), be older, and come from a rural background.…”

“…Despite these findings, there is relatively little research that explicitly focuses on first-generation students in their own right (see Thomas & Quinn, 2007). There have been few studies related to this in the Australian context (Devlin & O'Shea, 2012;Krause, Hartley, James, & McInnis, 2005;Luzeckyj, King, Scutter, & Brinkworth, 2011;O'Shea, 2013). …”

Narratives from non-traditional students in higher education

“…Bathmaker et al (2013) found that working-class students in their UK study required much consideration and planning to decide on HE, while most middle-class students considered enrolment the norm. A study of over 3000 commencing students at three South Australian universities found that FIF students made the decision to enrol later in school or life than non-FIF students (Luzeckyj, King, Scutter, & Brinkworth, 2011).…”