Social-psychological research of academic and social adaptation of first-year students

The articlereveals the results of annual social-psychological research of academic and social adaptation of first-year students in Tomsk StateUniversity. The research was initiated for several reasons: the reduction of the students' level of professional identity; low level or notdeveloped motivation for learning in major fields; the importance of academic and social adaptation of first year students; the necessityof receiving information about students' evaluation of the quality of education in Tomsk State University; the investigation of students'satisfaction level of education process in the university. One thousand first year students took part in the research. The results of theresearch demonstrate the most important reasons of the students' choice to study in TSU, among them: interest in chosen specialty,quality of education, prestigious university. 54% of the participants have made a conscious decision and are ready for education in thechosen field. 35% of freshmen changed their attitude to the specialty to more positive, 23% felt disappointment after the fist semester.The answers to the questionnaires show that more than half of the first year students finished the first semester successfully (highgrades), only 7% did not complete the semester in time. At the same time 70% of the first year students have emotional tension, anxietyduring exams and before them. 28% have difficulties during the semester, 17% mention that it is easy for them to study in the university.Among the problems that first year students mention are the lack of perseverance, knowledge, strength of will, skills of selforganizationand time-management. The results of the research also demonstrate that the most popular activities for students are sportsactivities and labour union committees. It is important to mention that one third of the participants are not members of any sport orsocial club. The research allowed us to develop recommendations to improve the work of the university with students and can be usedfor making managerial decisions.

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