Adaptation features of freshers to the learning environment at the Belarusian State University

The paper considers the problem of first-year students’ adaptation to new social environment and to the conditions of coping with the university educational curriculum. It analyses the features of the first-year students’ adjustment to learning and extracurricular activities (academic and sociocommunicative adaptation). The objective and subjective criteria of freshmen’ adaptation process are highlighted. The article presents the results of the online-survey of the first-year students from 15 faculties of the Belarusian State University, and the findings of the in-depth interviews with the students-orphans and the students expelled from the university after the first semester. The results obtained prove the relevance of the problem under study and make it possible to conclude that the process of adaptation of the first-year students is incomplete. The outcomes also prove the need for psychological and pedagogical support of orphan students, development of the institute of tutoring, conducting sociological research to study the dynamic aspect of adaptation.