Universities should assist first-generation students
May 18, 2012 
1 Comment
Dr Ludolph Botha, Senior Director: Student and Academic Support at Stellenbosch University, writes in the Sunday Independent that first-generation students are now overtaking the number of non-first-generation students entering our universities. He argues that universities have an important role in aiding first-generation students in their academic quest.
- Click here to read his article, or visit http://www.iol.co.za/lifestyle/family/parenting/getting-to-grips-with-university-1.1298131
I so agree with this article. Being a first generation student myself, during my years at University, had been difficult. unfortunately i can attest to all of this being true, as I had experienced all that during my stuidies. Parents do not understand, family members do not understand… Yet pressure is applied, and as the student, you carry so much of the burden, as you are seen as the saviour of the family in many cases. You are in surroundings that are unfamiliar. If a student is not “educated” or supported or does not know, the negative will happen, you will drop out.. pressure is applied from all walks of life. Even being a hardworker, it does not prepare you for this.Financial issues, are strife, as parents do not understand, that hey its not just Tuition fees that comes with University access, but many other costs etc etc.. If this had been available during my studies. I probably wouldnt have stopped my studies due to financial stressors.. and many other stressors to.. children need to be educated before entering universities. The “wide eyed” wonder of university life, is not as rosy and magical as it appears and if you do not have the necessary support structure. sadly you will not succeed.