Thu Apr 7

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

Written by Garth Stahl, Associate Professor, The University of Queensland

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.

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)

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

How Businesses Are Generating Profits in a High-Inflation Economic Environment

The Effects of the War in the Middle East on Australian Small Businesses

Australia’s sixth love language declared: Sending cheeky pics!

Cotton picking begins following mixed season

Love don’t cost a thing? Surprise amount Aussies set to splash on Valentine’s Day in 2026 revealed

Why Preventing Expensive Roof Repairs Depends on Regular Roof Maintenance

Times Magazine

Epson launches ELPCS01 mobile projector cart

Governance Models for Headless CMS in Large Organizations

Narwal Freo Z Ultra Robotic Vacuum and Mop Cleaner

Shark launches SteamSpot - the shortcut for everyday floor mess

Game Together, Stay Together: Logitech G Reveals Gaming Couples Enjoy Higher Relationship Satisfaction

AI threatens to eat business software – and it could change the way we work

The Times Features

Cobram Estate | Heart Health Month Backed By Science

Heidi Launches Evidence and Acquires AutoMedica to Accelerate Its AI Care Partner Platform

OUTRIGGER Resorts & Hotels Elevates Wellness Travel in 2026 With Immersive New Programs in the Maldives

Major maintenance dredging campaign begins at Port of Devonport

AI could help us more accurately screen for breast cancer – new research

Housing ACT tenants left in unsafe conditions

Shark SteamSpot S2001 Review: A Chemical-Free Way to Tackle Messes and Stubborn Stains

How Businesses Are Generating Profits in a High-Inflation Economic Environment

The Effects of the War in the Middle East on Australian Small Businesses