Research Summary: Bridging the gap between expectations and reality: first-year students’ transition experiences in higher education

The transition for first-year students to higher education is a pivotal period impacting academic and social integration. In South Africa, a notable gap exists between students' expectations and the realities of university life. This disparity, particularly affecting first-generation students and those from disadvantaged backgrounds, can impede successful adjustment and engagement during this critical phase, as identified by research drawing on established student integration theories.

Why it matters

Understanding the discrepancy between student expectations and the realities of higher education is critical for institutional sustainability and educational equity. Effectively managing this transition can significantly improve student retention, academic performance, and overall success, which are key indicators of institutional effectiveness and societal return on investment in education.

Key insights

• First-year students often hold expectations about university life that significantly diverge from the actual experience.
• Mismatches between student expectations and university reality hinder academic engagement.
• Mismatches between student expectations and university reality hinder social integration.
• First-generation students face particular challenges during the transition due to these expectation-reality gaps.
• Students from historically disadvantaged educational backgrounds are especially vulnerable to difficulties arising from expectation-reality discrepancies.

Source

Frontiers in Education — https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/feduc.2026.1925668