Exploring the Difficulties of First-Year University Students From Low Socioeconomic Status in Mexico

• In Event: Poster Session 14
  In Poster Session: Postsecondary Research 2

Abstract

This research explored the difficulties that first-year students from low socio-economic status in Mexico experience. The findings reinforce the determinant importance of students’ experiences once they start their university career. However, in more marginalized contexts poverty still has a very restrictive effect. Moreover, the low cultural capital and the lack of university habitus limits students’ academic success. All these challenges arise in an institutional environment and university life that does not offer pathways to surpass the first-year transition to university. Suggestions about quality programs and teaching are made in order to mitigate first-year challenges. Before such action can be taken, it is essential to know the students better in order to provide them with the optimum support during their first-year.

Authors

• Marisol Silva Laya, Universidad Iberoamericana

• Adriana Rodríguez Fernández, Universidad Iberoamericana

• Maria Jo Athie, The University of British Columbia