Most first-year students find the transition from basic education to higher education extremely difficult to balance their academic and social lives when entering university for the first time. Time management is one of the factors that can contribute to first-year dropouts from universities because of peer pressure and time wasted. This study presents some of the experiences, positive or negative, encountered by first-year students when it comes to time management. The data were collected from first-year students living in residences. The study adopted mixed methods research to collect data, but for this article, only the qualitative results are presented. The results show that in general, first-year students were used to the guidance of their parents, which explains why it is not easy for them to be independent thinkers. The influence of peer groups in higher education plays a crucial role in time management among first-year students. Peer pressure can be positive or negative for first-year students when they transition to university, leading to a lack of time management. The study recommends that first-year students be taught the importance of time management during the orientation period and throughout the year through workshops, pamphlets and social media platforms.

Authors:
Vuyo Mntuyedwa, Cape Peninsula University of Technology, South Africa
Johannes Cronje, Cape Peninsular University of Technology, South Africa

About the Presenter(s)
Dr Vuyo Mntuyedwa is a University Assistant Professor/Lecturer at Cape Peninsula University of Technology (CPUT), in South Africa

See this presentation on the full schedule – Sunday Schedule

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