Abstract:

This paper has explored lecturers’ perspectives on first year accounting students’ adjustment to challenges they experienced in their university life. A new unfamiliar environment presented various challenges and feelings of anxiety and alienation to first time university students. As such, first-year students were confronted with academic demands which led to confusion, stress and further complicated their university life. Lecturers shared views on how first year accounting students reacted to their new academic environment and the impact thereof on their academic and social adaptation. This research was inspired by Bandura’s social cognitive theory. The study was grounded in interpretive research paradigm which was deeply rooted in a qualitative research approach. Purposive sampling was used to select six first year accounting lecturers at a university of technology in South Africa. A thematic analysis was done to analyse the qualitative data generated through group interviews. It has emerged that academic workload, time management, class attendance and social relations play meaningful roles in the university life of first year accounting students. Therefore, effective planned support by the institution, through its wellness centre and student academic and development support department on academic matters, personal and social issues will enhance first year students’ adjustment to the university life.

Keywords:

Academic demands, academic matters, personal issues, social issues, university life.