PROBLEMS PERCEIVED BY THE FIRST YEAR NURSING STUDENTS AND ITS RELATIONSHIP TO THEIR ACADEMIC PERFORMANCE

ABSTRACT: College life is a major adjustment for every freshman. It is a transitional stage from being a high school student to a college student. They meet and eventually face various adjustments, from different schools with different social and economic status, cultures, beliefs, attitudes and various threshold levels of intellectual perception and sensitivity pertaining to facts, events and personal interactions. Some may experience culture shock, because of an unusual and an unfamiliar environment, and some may not, because it may have a resemblance to the environment where the student came from. There could be familiar faces and friends or none at all, especially for those who come from provinces. Aside from this, many possible problems could occur during their freshman year. Adjustments and fitting socially with others` company is one of the primary actions that a typical freshman student is concerned of. Having trouble or problems with these matters would possibly stress a student which may, affect his academic performances. Intellectually, stress can influence a person`s perceptual and problem solving abilities.

School of Nursing