Coping Mechanism for First-Year Students Transitioning to Higher Education

Abstract

Academic adjustments are modifications in how students participate in classes and activities. These modifications allow students to meet standards but do not change them. Academic adjustments give students equal access to the educational opportunities of the University. Tinto and Astin further posit that academic adjustment is the ability to have successful interactions with the new academic environment and to cope with its academic demands. In addition, it revolves around the fit between the student and the university environment. Baker and Siryk's categorize academic adjustment into four aspects, that is, motivation to learn and have clear academic goals, applying oneself to academic work, exerting effort to meet academic demands, and being satisfied with the academic environment. Academic adjustment challenges refer to the factors that negatively affect adjustment to university and coping strategies used by the university students in the adaptation process from the viewpoint of first-year university students.