Social Adjustment and Transition to University for Mature-Age, Undergraduate Students

Abstract

This study sought to understand the impact of social transition on university adjustment for mature-age students enrolled in their first undergraduate course at an Australian university. Although there has been extensive research surrounding university transition, few studies have specifically investigated the transition of mature-age students. The collection of survey and interview data at four stages of their first year of university provided details of the experiences and reflections of transition over time. Results show that despite initial concerns about the academic demands of tertiary study, the challenges facing mature-age students are in their social transition, including issues of ..