(Nazarbayev University, 2014) Akhmetova, A.; Akhmetova, D.; Amirova, B.; Azzatiyeva, M.; Bainazarov, T.; Baizhanov, Y.; Balgabekova, D.
Students face challenges during the first year at university. Some students find it
difficult to adapt to the new environment, while others have a smoother transition to university life.
Master program students at Graduate School of Education conducted a mixed method (qualitative and
quantitative) research to explore academic and non-academic challenges that Nazarbayev University
students experience. We assumed that students" previous academic backgrounds as well as social life at
university have impact on students" academic achievements in their first year of study.