ABSTRACT

This essay will examine the challenges and hardships that first year student’s encounter at university. The problems that will be discussed in this essay is in terms of economic, cultural and social issues. Each issue will present two main ideas with an example. In addition it will further elaborate on these issues that first year students face and the reasons why this has become an obstacle for them. This disquisition will conclude that these challenges should be taken into serious consideration as it involves ones future. If these issues are not looked at intently the consequences will have a severe impact on the student’s life and academic performance.

WHAT CHALLENGES DO FIRST YEAR STUDENTS FACE AT
A further challenge that first year students are bombarded with is the environment. The foreign exchange students may encounter difficulties in adjusting to the change in weather. Some other students are trying to familiarise themselves with the new surroundings. For example buildings, facilities, climate change and landscape.

In addition another major challenge faced by first year students is social problems. One of the social problems encountered is freedom. At university level students tend to have a lot of freedom. They do anything they want and when it suits them. For example; students have the liberty to choose to attend lectures and tutorials or not. It is wise that one restricts oneself from having too much freedom or it may have a negative effect on their lives or academic performances.
Another major challenge is peer pressure. Peer pressure is one of the highly influential components on first year students and is unavoidable. When entering university for the first time, new friends are made. It is only wise that one chooses their friends wisely. Entertaining the wrong company may lead to peer pressure. For example; smoking, relationships, sexual activity and the use and abuse of alcohol and drugs. Students that give into peer pressure are the ones that are most vulnerable to not succeeding in their academic life. Many first year students participate in peer pressure because they think its cool and they want to fit in but a confident