A Study on the University Life Adjustment Types of First-Year Students at a Regional Private University

A Study on the University Life Adjustment Types of First-Year Students at a Regional Private University

The purpose of this study was to analyze the university life adjustment types of freshman students at a local private university. To achieve this objective, a survey on the level of university life adjustment was conducted among first-year students in the College of Humanities and Social Sciences, Natural Sciences and Engineering, Arts and Physical Education, and Education from June 10th to 14th, 2023, and a total of 202 students responded to the survey questionnaire. The survey data was analyzed using the two-step cluster analysis. According to the level of freshman students' adjustment factors, five clusters were identified as follows; cluster 1: borderline group with good interpersonal relationships, cluster 2: borderline group with poor interpersonal relationships, cluster 3: severe maladaptation group, cluster 4: mild maladaptation group, cluster 5: adaptation group. Specifically, the adaptation group (cluster 5) accounted for 15.8%, the borderline groups (clusters 1 & 2) were 48.5%, and the maladaptive groups (clusters 3 & 4) were 35.6%. Based on these analytical results, this study raises the urgent need for personalized guidance and counseling to help first-year students' adjustment to university life. It also suggests the development of tailored intervention plans that consider the specific challenges different groups of students face in adjusting to university life, both at the university and department levels.