First-generation college students—children of immigrants and blue-collar workers—know that their hopes for success hinge upon a degree. But they don't know the ropes and may be afraid to ask, according to a new book that is getting a lot of attention.
Rebecca D. Cox, in The College Fear Factor: How Students and Professors Misunderstand One Another, draws on five years of interviews and observations at community colleges. She shows how students and their instructors misunderstand and ultimately fail one another, despite good intentions. Most importantly, she describes how easily students can feel defeated—by their real-world responsibilities and by the demands of college—and conclude that they just don’t belong there after all.
According to promotional material, "The College Fear Factor reveals how the traditional college culture can actually pose obstacles to students’ success, and suggests strategies for effectively explaining academic expectations."
Dr. Cox is Assistant Professor of Education at Seton Hall University.
You can learn more about the book from Harvard University Press at this link.
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