ANALYSIS OF PSYCHOSOCIAL FACTORS IN THE PROCESS OF ADAPTATION TO UNIVERSITY LIFE AMONG FIRST-YEAR STUDENTS

Beginning higher education is regarded as one of the most important transitions in the lives of a first-year university student. Some students integrate into this new environment rather quickly; others face emotional stress, psychosomatic symptoms, and social isolation. While some students adapt to this new environment very easily, others suffer emotional upset, psychosomatic illness, and social isolation. For some, this failure to adapt can result in withdrawal from university. This may result in negative attitudes towards university, poor family relationships and career failures. The purpose of this paper is to theoretically address the psychosocial determinants of university adaptation like gender, social support, financial status, locus of control, homesick-ness, and personality traits.