Abstract
A considerable amount of information is available concerning the adjustment problems that students from developed countries experience when they transfer from school to university. Comparatively little is known about the problems of African students, despite the existence of a number of factors which might be expected to produce large numbers of problems and relatively severe problems. Having adopted certain criteria regarding the “acceptability” or otherwise of adjustment problems, a preliminary survey was conducted at the University of Zambia in order to see whether adjustment problems existed and to give some insight into the type of problem experienced. The survey indicated the presence of a large number and wide variety of problems and a questionnaire was subsequently developed in order to test the potency, generality and persistency of the student's difficulties. The results obtained with a representative sample of 242 first-year and 60 fourth-year students showed that there are problems which are sufficiently potent, general and/or persistent to be a cause for concern to the university authorities.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Ashby, Sir E. (1964). African Universities and Western Tradition. Oxford: Oxford University Press.
Beerbohm, Sir M. (1899). Quoted in Max - a Biography by David Cecil. 1966, London: Readers Union, (p. 43).
Cope, R. G. and Hannah, W. (1975). Revolving College Doors. New York: John Wiley.
Ehrenreich, B. and Ehrenreich, J. (1969). Long March, Short Spring. New York: Modern Reader.
Entwistle, N. J. and Entwistle, D. (1970). “The relationships between personality, study methods and academic performance,” British Journal of Educational Psychology 40: 132–143.
Entwistle, N. J. and Wilson, J. D. (1977). Degrees of Excellence: The Academic Achievement Game. Edinburgh: Moray House.
Genn, J. M. (1972). “Towards a quantitative analysis of school to university transition,” Australian Journal of Higher Education 4(3): 193–216.
Genn, J. M. (1973). “Final-year school teaching and first-year university teaching: what's the difference? Why the difference? And so what?” The Australian University 11(3): 230–238.
Heywood, J. (1971). “A Report on student wastage,” Universities Quarterly 25: 189–237.
Lipset, S. M. (1972). Rebellion in the University. London: Routledge and Kegan Paul.
Lockwood, Sir J. (1963). Report on the Development of a University in Northern Rhodesia. Lusaka: Government Printers.
McIntosh, N. (1975). “Open admission - an open or revolving door?” Universities Quarterly 29(2): 171–181.
McIntosh, N. and Morrison, V. (1974). “Student demand, progress and withdrawal: the Open University's first four years,” Higher Education Review 7(1): 37–68.
Miller, G. W. (1970). Higher Education Research in Australia and New Zealand. London: Society for Research into Higher Education.
Miller, G. W. (1973), (1974). “Student dropout and wastage: a comparison between Australian and British Universities - Part I.” The Australian University 11(3): 239–250. Part 2 in 1974, 12(1): 3–25.
Ministry of Education (Planning Unit) (1980). Educational Statistics 1977. Lusaka: Republic of Zambia.
Newsome, A., Thorne, B. and Wyld, K. (1973). Student Counselling in Practice. London: University of London Press.
Nixon and Taft, R. (1977). Psychology in Australia - Achievement and Prospects (Ch. 5). Oxford: Pergamon.
Olsen, F. J. (1957). “Failure in first year university examinations.” Australian Journal of Education 1(3): 261–268.
Payne, J. (1969). Research in Student Mental Health. London: Society for Research into Higher Education.
Pentony, P. (1968). “A study of students in academic difficulties,” The Australian Journal of Higher Education 3(2): 179–185.
Shaw, C. P. (1979) The University of Zambia and the National Manpower Requirements. Institute for African Studies, University of Zambia.
University Grants Committee (1968). Enquiry into Student Progress. London: HMSO.
Wegner, E. and Sewell, W. (1970). “Selection and context as factors affecting the probability of graduation from college,” American Journal of Sociology 75: 665–679.
Wilson, B. N. (1982). “Concept of a university,” Zambia Educational Review 3(2): 91–96.
Wilson, B. N. (1983). “Adjustment problems of Zambian university students.” Ph.D. thesis, University of Wales or University of Zambia.
Yesufu, T. M. (ed.) (1973). Creating the African University - Emerging Issues of the 1970's. Ibadan: Oxford University Press.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Wilson, B. Problems of university adjustment experienced by undergraduates in a developing country. High Educ 13, 1–22 (1984). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00136528
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00136528