Adaptation Challenges Faced by Pakistani University Entrants

Abstract

This paper reports on a study conducted to explore the challenges faced by Pakistani university entrants in adapting to university culture. Several studies have been conducted on first-year experience and challenges faced by students in adaptation to university culture globally. However, this was the first study conducted on this topic in the Pakistani context. Key adaptation categories studied were: academic, social, linguistic, and environmental adaptation. The data was collected through a quantitative questionnaire dispensed to 180 first year undergraduate students enrolled in a public-sector university in Pakistan. The findings revealed that many of the adaptation challenges faced by the Pakistani university entrants in this study are similar to those in the Western contexts and other international settings. However, this study also found that some demands of the university culture pose bigger challenges to the Pakistani university entrants.