The Times Australia
The Times World News

.
The Times Real Estate

.

what students who are first in their family to go to university say

  • Written by Garth Stahl, Associate Professor, The University of Queensland
what students who are first in their family to go to university say

Higher education research shows families pursue university because it provides opportunities for upward social mobility. With a university education come more options[1] for career choices and, it is assumed, increased social status.

There have been many efforts to widen participation in higher education in Australia. Due to these, 50% of the student population[2] is estimated to be the first in their family to go to university.

But first-in-family students[3] still struggle with balancing the demand of academic life with part-time employment, and have a high degree of attrition.

Read more: The Bay of Plenty oil spill: loading the dice against disaster[4]

We conducted research with 48 first-in-family students over the course of three years as they made the transition from secondary school to university. The research was published in our book Gendering the First-in-Family Experience[5].

Routledge, Taylor & Francis Group The students came from ethnically diverse backgrounds and were recruited from across state, independent and faith-based schools. We focused on how their aspirations changed in relation to their experiences at university. We found young men and women had different relationships with their parents which, in turn, contributed to how they navigated life after school. How families support students Parents of first-in-family students in our study were supportive of their children’s education, but they did not necessarily have sufficient knowledge of higher education to be able to give advice about navigating the system. Instead, families focused on supporting students emotionally. Aisha spoke of how her parents supported her during her stressful final year of school: […] because they couldn’t help me so much with the work […] they’d cook me dinner when I’d be working or studying. Or […] just small things like cups of tea at night or just a lolly or a chocolate or something just to keep me going because I’d always stay up until crazy hours studying. More opportunities than their parents had Mothers were often the primary resource in terms of the emotional support for the participants. This was especially true for the young women in the study, where part of their aspirations for university were to experience the opportunities and futures their mothers were denied. Tabitha, who was studying for a Bachelor in Health and Medical Science, told us: Mum wanted to go to uni and possibly become a teacher, but she didn’t have the money or the opportunity to do that. Whereas, I have that opportunity […] but it’s not without the consequences of my mum not being able to do what she was able to do until later in life. Many of the young men also saw their lives as filled with more opportunities than their parents. Dominic, whose father worked as a mechanic and mother eventually trained at TAFE as an accountant, told us how his decision to pursue university was significantly informed by his parents’ biographies. Yeah, my dad finished year 12 and then went to work. So, I’m doing pretty well. But I’m the first into university in my family. Hoping it’s better than their life. I don’t want to say that their life is bad or anything […] they’ve done pretty well. How family dynamics changed As they transitioned to university from school, both our female and male participants renegotiated family responsibilities with parents and siblings. These significantly contributed to their experience as students. Logan, who was studying a Bachelor in Health Science, told us: I have to focus on uni more than family time and stuff like that […] my mum working from 9 to 5. Sometimes I’m in the city until 5:30 and I get home and then I’m already ready for bed so […] I probably don’t see her as much as probably I would like […] The young men in the study wanted to be seen as independent in their decision making. This was less apparent for girls who valued the support of their families. Adam, who was studying a Bachelor in Science, told us: I don’t have a job at the moment so my parents are supporting me but I will pay for university by myself. Archie, who was studying for a Bachelors in IT, said: I haven’t really relied on anyone. Leo, who intended to study for a Bachelor of Education and later withdrew, said: […] I don’t really have direct support […] my family are always there if I need them of course but I don’t really go to them. I don’t want to burden them; I just sort of carry it on my own shoulders if I can whether that’s successfully or not. I don’t know. I feel like I don’t want to burden people with my problems. They struggled to integrate Many of the first-in-family students we spoke with often struggled to socially integrate with other university students who were often from more privileged backgrounds. They found the experience isolating and they doubted themselves. Manny, who was studying engineering, said: It depends on the dude, there are some dudes [in engineering] that are pretty high on snob meter […] then you’ve got some of the normal people but they’re kind of rare because some of the uni boys they’re like if you’re not getting HDs you’re below them. Of the 48 participants, nine students withdrew from university, seven chose not to attend and two deferred. We would argue universities need to be sensitive to the gender identity of students because it has implications for how they may offer effective forms of support. Within our cohort of first-in-family students, gender was often a contributing factor in terms of how these students experienced university. Gendering the First-in-Family Experience: Transitions, Liminality, Performativity[6] is out now through Routledge. References^ come more options (blogs.worldbank.org)^ 50% of the student population (www.tandfonline.com)^ first-in-family students (theconversation.com)^ The Bay of Plenty oil spill: loading the dice against disaster (theconversation.com)^ Gendering the First-in-Family Experience (www.routledge.com)^ Gendering the First-in-Family Experience: Transitions, Liminality, Performativity (www.routledge.com)

Read more https://theconversation.com/mum-wanted-to-go-to-uni-but-she-didnt-have-the-opportunity-what-students-who-are-first-in-their-family-to-go-to-university-say-177553

The Times Features

How to Protect Your Garden Trees from Wind Damage in Australia

In Australia's expansive landscape, garden trees hold noteworthy significance. They not only enhance the aesthetic appeal of our homes but also play an integral role in the local...

Brisbane Homeowners Warned: Non-Compliant Flexible Hoses Pose High Flood Risk

As a homeowner in Brisbane, when you think of the potential for flood damage to your home, you probably think of weather events. But you should know that there may be a tickin...

Argan Oil-Infused Moroccanoil Shampoo: Nourish and Revitalize Your Hair

Are you ready to transform your hair from dull and lifeless to vibrant and full of life? Look no further than the luxurious embrace of Argan Oil-Infused Moroccanoil Shampoo! In a...

Building A Strong Foundation For Any Structure

Building a home or commercial building can be very exciting. The possibilities are endless and the future is interesting. You can always change aspects of the building to meet the ...

The Role of a Family Dentist: Why Every Household Needs One

source A family dentist isn’t like your regular dentist who may specialise in a particular age group and whom you visit only when something goes wrong. A family dentist takes proa...

Benefits of Getting an Online Medical Certificate

Everyone has experienced it. Rather than taking a break, you drag yourself to the doctor's office, where you have to wait in lengthy lines, and then you have to hurry to get that...

Times Magazine

"Eternal Nurture" by Cara Barilla: A Timeless Collection of Wisdom and Healing

Renowned Sydney-born author and educator Cara Barilla has released her latest book, Eternal Nurture, a profound collection of inspirational quotes designed to support mindfulness, emotional healing, and personal growth. With a deep commitment to ...

How AI-Driven SEO Enhancements Can Improve Headless CMS Content Visibility

Whereas SEO (search engine optimization) is critical in the digital landscape for making connections to content, much of it is still done manually keyword research, metatags, final tweaks at publication requiring a human element that takes extensiv...

Crypto Expert John Fenga Reveals How Blockchain is Revolutionising Charity

One of the most persistent challenges in the charity sector is trust. Donors often wonder whether their contributions are being used effectively or if overhead costs consume a significant portion. Traditional fundraising methods can be opaque, with...

Navigating Parenting Arrangements in Australia: A Legal Guide for Parents

Understanding Parenting Arrangements in Australia. Child custody disputes are often one of the most emotionally charged aspects of separation or divorce. Parents naturally want what is best for their children, but the legal process of determining ...

Blocky Adventures: A Minecraft Movie Celebration for Your Wrist

The Minecraft movie is almost here—and it’s time to get excited! With the film set to hit theaters on April 4, 2025, fans have a brand-new reason to celebrate. To honor the upcoming blockbuster, watchfaces.co has released a special Minecraft-inspir...

The Ultimate Guide to Apple Watch Faces & Trending Wallpapers

In today’s digital world, personalization is everything. Your smartwatch isn’t just a timepiece—it’s an extension of your style. Thanks to innovative third-party developers, customizing your Apple Watch has reached new heights with stunning designs...

LayBy Shopping