College Student Challenges in Academic Success

• In Event: Roundtable Session 5
  In Roundtable Session: Navigating Barriers to Academic Performance

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to identify challenges first- and second-generation college students perceive as obstacles in their academic success and examine their sense of competence in diverse academic skills. A resilience framework provides an explanation of how individual skills and challenges interact and can impact how students do in school. It is imperative to understand the challenges students perceive, as college can become a stressor if these challenges are not supported (Swick,1987). This study examined academic challenges and skills among first and second generation college students participating in a peer mentoring program in a Hispanic serving institution. Preliminary results suggest first generation college students are resilient as they reported a higher level of confidence in managing stress.

Authors

• Alma D. Bonifacio, California State University - Los Angeles

• Giselle Emilia Navarro, Claremont University - Claremont Graduate University

• Charles Ledesma, California State University - Los Angeles

• Claudia Kouyoumdjian, California State University, Los Angeles