student adaptation

The transition from secondary school to higher education is a critical period that shapes students' academic engagement, social integration, and persistence. Despite increased access to higher education in South Africa, many first-year students enter university with expectations that differ substantially from their subsequent experiences, creating adjustment challenges. Guided by Tinto's Theory of Student Integration and Educational Transition Theory, this study explored first-year students' expectations. It examined how students perceived and experienced mismatches between these expectations and the realities of university life. The study adopted an interpretivist qualitative research paradigm and an exploratory descriptive design. Data were collected through three focus group discussions with 21 purposively selected first-year students at a comprehensive university in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. They were analysed using reflexive thematic analysis. The findings revealed an expectation–reality mismatch in three areas: social integration and peer relationships, course selection and academic guidance, and academic workload alongside self-directed learning demands. Participants who identified as first-generation students described experiencing additional transition difficulties, which they associated with limited social and cultural capital, inadequate career guidance, and low digital literacy. Participants also associated persistent socioeconomic inequality with these difficulties. The study concludes that expectation–reality mismatch is a psychologically meaningful mechanism through which structural inequality translates into experiences of uncertainty, diminished belonging, and academic disengagement during the first year. Strengthened orientation, mentoring, academic advising, and digital literacy support are recommended to improve student adjustment, engagement, and retention.

This study explored the academic validation experiences of internal migrant college students and their implications for proposed psychosocial support activities. Specifically, it examined forms of academic validation, their influence on psychosocial well-being and academic persistence, and challenges in obtaining institutional support. Using a qualitative research design and Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis, the study examined interview accounts from eight internal migrant college students at Cavite State University–Main Campus during the academic year 2025–2026. Findings revealed that students experienced academic validation through faculty recognition, constructive feedback, peer encouragement, and academic achievements. Such experiences fostered motivation, confidence, belonging, and continued academic engagement. Conversely, limited recognition contributed to discouragement, self-doubt, and emotional distress. Participants also described homesickness, social isolation, language barriers, unfamiliar cultural practices, communication difficulties, and hesitation in seeking academic or emotional assistance. Despite these challenges, personal resilience, supportive classmates, and determination helped students adjust and persist in their studies. Based on the findings, the study proposed the BRIDGE Program, emphasizing peer mentoring, support circles, cultural integration, wellness activities, academic assistance, counseling, and opportunities for emotional expression. The study concluded that academic validation and accessible psychosocial support are important to the adjustment and educational persistence of internal migrant students. It aligns with Sustainable Development Goal 3, Good Health and Well-Being; Goal 4, Quality Education; and Goal 10, Reduced Inequalities. Its potential sustainability contribution lies in guiding inclusive institutional support practices that strengthen student welfare, social belonging, and equitable participation in higher education. These practices may also encourage more responsive and supportive campus communities.

This study aims to describe the management of santri (Islamic boarding school students), identify the obstacles faced by the caretakers, and describe the efforts made to overcome these obstacles in order to increase the interest of prospective students in enrolling at Pondok Pesantren Darul Fikri Muaro Jambi. This research employs a qualitative approach using a descriptive method. Data collection techniques included in-depth interviews, observation, and documentation. Data analysis utilized the Miles, Huberman, and Saldana model, comprising data reduction, data display, and verification/conclusion drawing. Data validity was ensured through triangulation of sources, techniques, and time. The research results indicate that: (1) Santri management is implemented through the POAC (Planning, Organizing, Actuating, Controlling) management functions. Planning focuses on character building, discipline, mental strengthening, and the study of kitab kuning (traditional Islamic texts). Organizing involves the boarding school head, ustadz (religious teachers), administrators, and public relations staff. Implementation encompasses character guidance, organizational discipline, community engagement jam'iyyah, role modeling, and livestock farming skills. Supervision is conducted through monitoring behavior and adherence to rules, as well as the imposition of educational sanctions. (2) Obstacles faced include difficulties in instilling discipline, a limited number of administrators, new students' adaptation issues, student behavioral problems, and limited facilities and infrastructure. (3) Efforts undertaken include continuous character and discipline guidance, the application of educational sanctions, the strengthening of religious programs, the provision of free schooling, the development of livestock farming skills, and the creation of a comfortable environment. Effective management has been proven to increase the interest of prospective students through positive student experiences and programs that align with community needs.

هدف این پژوهش توصیف مدیریت دانش‌آموزان (طلاب مدارس اسلامی)، شناسایی موانع پیش‌روی متولیان، و تبیین تلاش‌های صورت‌گرفته برای غلبه بر این موانع به منظور افزایش علاقه‌مندی داوطلبان ثبت‌نام در مدرسه علمیه دارالفکر معارو جامبی است. این پژوهش با رویکرد کیفی و روش توصیفی انجام شده است. تکنیک‌های گردآوری داده شامل مصاحبه‌های عمیق، مشاهده و مستندسازی بوده است. تحلیل داده‌ها با استفاده از مدل Miles، Huberman و Saldana شامل کاهش داده، نمایش داده و تأیید/استخراج نتیجه انجام شده است. روایی داده‌ها از طریق مثلث‌سازی منابع، تکنیک‌ها و زمان تضمین شده است. نتایج پژوهش نشان می‌دهد: (۱) مدیریت دانش‌آموزان از طریق کارکردهای مدیریتی POAC (برنامه‌ریزی، سازماندهی، اجرا، کنترل) اجرا می‌شود. برنامه‌ریزی بر پرورش شخصیت، انضباط، تقویت روحیه و مطالعه کتاب‌های سنتی اسلامی (کتاب کُنینگ) متمرکز است. سازماندهی شامل رئیس مدرسه، اساتید (استادان دینی)، مدیران و کارکنان روابط عمومی است. اجرا شامل هدایت شخصیتی، انضباط سازمانی، مشارکت اجتماعی جمعیه، الگوسازی و مهارت‌آموزی دامپروری است. نظارت از طریق پایش رفتار و رعایت قوانین و همچنین اعمال تنبیهات آموزشی صورت می‌گیرد. (۲) موانع موجود شامل دشواری در نهادینه‌سازی انضباط، تعداد محدود مدیران، مشکلات سازگاری دانش‌آموزان جدید، مشکلات رفتاری دانش‌آموزان و کمبود امکانات و زیرساخت‌ها است. (۳) تلاش‌های صورت‌گرفته شامل هدایت مستمر شخصیت و انضباط، اعمال تنبیهات آموزشی، تقویت برنامه‌های مذهبی، ارائه تحصیل رایگان، توسعه مهارت‌های دامپروری و ایجاد محیطی راحت می‌باشد. مدیریت مؤثر به اثبات رسیده است که علاقه‌مندی داوطلبان را از طریق تجارب مثبت دانش‌آموزان و برنامه‌هایی که با نیازهای جامعه هم‌راستا هستند، افزایش می‌دهد.