Exploring Reasons for University Attendance: 1st Generation Students

This research portfolio investigates the reasons behind fourth-year, first-generation students attending university. It explores the concept of these students, analyzes the factors driving their increased aspirations for higher education, and examines the importance of their presence in universities. The study delves into the impact of cultural diversity on these students' transition and retention, posing research questions to guide the analysis. A literature review examines themes such as the definition of first-generation students, the motivations behind their aspirations, the significance of their university attendance, and the influence of cultural diversity. The research employs qualitative methods, including interviews, to gather insights into the challenges and experiences of these students, emphasizing the role of communication and personal background factors. The portfolio concludes with a reflection on the research process and a list of cited references.

Literary criticism research
portfolio.

TABLE OF CONTENTS
Topic: 4th year 1st generation students attending university ..........................................................1
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................1
Research Questions.........................................................................................................................2
Literature review....................................................................................................................2
REFERENCES................................................................................................................................4
Books & Journals...................................................................................................................4

Topic: 4th year 1st generation students attending university
INTRODUCTION
Background of study
The term first generation tends to be thrown around by a lot of educators & the policy
makers. According to the centre for the community first generation students made transferring to
the fourth year college or university their primary goal compared to 56.1 percent of non first
generation students. The first generation students includes those students with one parents who
has collegiate experience & the larger population (Darling-Hammond, (2016). Moreover, they
come from the families having lower income or from the middle class or higher income families
not having a college going background. Cultural diversity also affects the decision of 1st
generation students and their family members towards transition to university. Cultural
difference between people in countries affects their decision towards getting education. It also
affects their belief that their children will also pursue same profession after completion school.
Transition to university is identified as main objective of those students which are not having
college going background in their families. Some have families who provide major support to
their plans for higher education whereas others are mainly under the family pressure to enter the
workforce right after school (Nilson, (2016). Moreover, these students often does not know
about the option available for higher education & they also have fear of going college &
misconceptions about the college & its costs. With increase in awareness of importance of
education within people, community & society the number of first students transition to
university have also been increased. Present study will investigate the different in academic
engagement & retention between first generation students. Researcher has decided to accomplish
this investigation with an of exploring the reason behind 1st generation students attending
university. In order to accomplish the study effectively, there are some specific aim & objectives
have been developed by scholar which provides him direction to accomplish investigation
effectively & efficiently.
Aim: “To explore the reason behind 1st generation students attending university”- a study
objectives:
 To understand the concept of 4th year 1st generation students attending university.
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 To analyse the reason behind increase in aspiration of 1st generation toward transition to
university.
 To analyse the importance of 1st generation students attending the university.
 To impact of cultural diversity on 1st generating students attending university.
 To recommendation strategies for universities to raise the 1st generating transition to
university.
Research Questions
 What is the concept of 4th year 1st generation students attending university?
 What are reason behind increase in aspiration of 1st generation students towards transition
to university?
 Why it is the importance of 1st generation students attending the university?
 What are the impact of cultural diversity on 1st generating students attending university.
 What are the strategies for universities to raise the 1st generation students transition to
university.
Research rationale
In order to carry out an effective research, I have created my own interest on this topic. In
this, I have implemented various strategies that provided support in making improvements in the
level of performance in effective & appropriate manner. Through this way, this research will
help in comprehending & understanding skills. Moreover, this will also lead to my overall
growth & development & I will be able to development my career in the education sector. Thus,
I will get to know about the reason behind 4th year 1st generation attending university. I have
carried this study to identify the importance of increase in 1st generation attendance in colleges.
Critical approach
Literature review
Theme 1 Concept of 4th year 1st generation students attending university
According to Laursen & Svejvig, (2016), first generation students are analysed as those
college students whose parents & families members does not complete a bachelor's degree. That
clearly means that are first in the family in their families attend the universities for getting
education. First generation students may have never been encouraged to assess their talents &
weaknesses with a view towards the higher education. Critical analysis of literature provides an
understanding that first generation students are likely to have had little exposure to complex
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college planning process & possess minimal knowledge of education requirements are needs for
some specific professional. As per the view of Hancock & Algozzine, (2016), Transition to
university is identified as main objective of those students which are not having college going
background in their families. Some have families who provide major support to their plans for
higher education whereas others are mainly under the family pressure to enter the workforce
right after school.
Theme 2 Reason behind increase in aspiration of 1st generation toward transition to university
According to Ortagus, (2017), the main reason behind increase in aspiration of first generation
students towards attending university was increase in their awareness of their families towards
education. As per the analysis Allan, Garriott & Keene, (2016), about 67 percent students of first
generation said that their primary goal is to obtain professional degree as compared to 60.3
percent of non first generation students. They have also showed their interest in completing a
certificate program compared to non first generation students showed their more interest in
completing a certificate program. First generation students also showed their interest in the first
generation , 33.6 percent to the 27.7 percent. Moreover, the centre defines students with the least
one parent who have attended college for the first time. In contrast to this, the importance of
various importance business aspirations have made it clear for the people to compare the
aspiration they have on the families. They are also getting supports from their families to attain a
professional degree & develop a professional. Universities are also encouraging these first
generation students in transition to university to increase the level of education & growth of
people. According to (Stebleton, Soria & Huesman, (2014), Students' initial interest in attending
college varied greatly depending on whether neither parents attended college versus everyone
else who has at least one parent attending some level of college.
Theme 3 Importance of 1st generation students attending the university
According to Hancock & Algozzine, (2016), As per the innovation, there are various
important business perspectives that needs to be taken in to consideration to gain major support
of operations & needs to have an important business perspectives on improvement of business
operations. According to Petty, (2014), there are is major importance of increase in awareness of
1st generation students towards the accomplishment of professional degree. Increase in first
generation students within university have the importance to have various important business
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information. As per the view of Atherton, ((2014)), the importance of various importance
business aspirations have made it clear for the people to compare the aspiration they have on the
families. They are also getting supports from their families to attain a professional degree &
develop a professional.
Theme 4 impact on cultural diversity on Ist generation students transition to university.
Previous culture of country was feminism which is identified as range of political
movements, ideologies & social movement which usually share the common objectives.
Feminism campaign was carried out the professional to protect rights of getting education for
women. Cultural diversity is identified difference between cultures of individuals working
together having different cultural background. According to (Allan, B.A., Garriott, P.O. &
Keene, C.N., (2016), Cultural diversity is the quality of diverse or different cultures, as opposed
to monoculture, the global monoculture, or a homogenization of cultures, akin to cultural decay.
Comparison between the previous culture and present culture of people in families of 1st
generation students provided clear understanding getting education from university has achieved
major values in the families of first generation students.
Reflection
In order to carry out an effective research, I have used various methods qualitative
methods in order to collect relevant information from the respondent. I have carried out study to
analyse the influence cultural diversity on 1st generation towards attending university. I have
analysed that communication skills provide major support in accomplishment research & taking
information. In this task, I have used interview method for collection of qualitative information
about the problems which are faced by 1st generation students while attending. For
accomplishment of study effectively I have selected some students from my university whose
families does have experience of studying in university. From this task, I have realized there
various elements such as life style, religion, economic condition & culture of family affects the
behaviour & decision of 1st generation students towards attending university. In interview
session, I have also asked some personal question from respondent to gather information culture,
religion & background which she belongs. Moreover, I have developed my own capabilities of
taking interview through participation various seminar & communicating with superiors. I have
also conducted effect research on this topic to get understanding about the feminism campaigns
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which are carried out by some societies to promote the 1st generation students towards eduaction
& development of society/.
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REFERENCES
Books & Journals
Allan, B.A., Garriott, P.O. & Keene, C.N., (2016). Outcomes of social class & classism in first-
& continuing-generation college students. Journal of counseling psychology, 63(4),
p.487.
Atherton, M.C., (2014). Academic preparedness of first-generation college students: Different
perspectives. Journal of College Student Development, 55(8), pp.824-829.
Darling-Hammond, L., (2016). Research on teaching & teacher education & its influences on
policy & practice. Educational Researcher, 45(2), pp.83-91.
Hancock, D.R. & Algozzine, B., (2016). Doing case study research: A practical guide for
beginning researchers. Teachers College Press.
Laursen, M. & Svejvig, P., (2016). Taking stock of project value creation: A structured literature
review with future directions for research & practice. International Journal of Project
Management, 34(4), pp.736-747.
Nilson, L.B., (2016). Teaching at its best: A research-based resource for college instructors.
John Wiley & Sons.
Ortagus, J.C., (2017). From the periphery to prominence: An examination of the changing
profile of online students in American higher education. The Internet & Higher
Education, 32, pp.47-57.
Petty, T., (2014). Motivating first-generation students to academic success & college
completion. College Student Journal, 48(2), pp.257-264.
Stebleton, M.J., Soria, K.M. & Huesman, R.L., (2014). First‐generation students' sense of
belonging, mental health, & use of counseling services at public research universities.
Journal of College Counseling, 17(1), pp.6-20.
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