Transition to higher education: the role of initiation practices

Abstract

Background: Literature draws attention to the relationships between the initial experiences of students as they begin their higher education and how they fare subsequently. In Portugal, the new student's reception is ritualised by tradition, and involves the organisation of an entire integration ceremony (known as praxe) proposed by peers. This paper argues that initiation practices in Portuguese higher education can be regarded as a transition ritual, a group of symbolic activities that brand the shift from secondary to tertiary education. Purpose: This paper aims to analyse students' observations about initiation practices within this framework. Sample: Participants were 30 first-year undergraduate students ('freshmen') attending a Portuguese university. Design and methods: Data were collected through semi-structured interviews with the students. Qualitative analysis was undertaken. Transcripts were coded according to themes and analysed using a constant comparison approach, to allow for the emergence of categories. Findings: The findings from this small-scale investigation describe and categorise freshmen's experiences and perspectives on initiation practices. Both positive and negative perspectives about praxe were identified. Conclusions: The submission relationship that underlies these transition rituals tended to be regarded by first-year students as an inevitable and necessary 'price to pay' for their entrance in the academic world.

Risky drinking among Norwegian students: Associations with participation in the introductory week, academic performance and alcohol-related attitudes

“…The goal of the event is to get to know fellow students and the study institution (Studieadministrativ avdeling, 2015; University of Olso, 2015). In line with findings from research on the Praxe and hazing rituals (Dias & Sá, 2014a, 2014bNirh, 2014), students report that the introduction week gives a feeling of belonging and provides good opportunities for getting to know new students (Lie, 2011;S. L. Rimstad, 2011;Stålesen, 2015).…”

“…All over the world, starting university is associated with various types of initiation rituals, for instance the Portuguese Praxe (Dias & Sá, 2014a, 2014b, American hazing (Campo, Poulos, & Sipple, 2005;Keating et al, 2005), and Danish introduction events (Larsen, Smorawski, Kragbak, & Stock, 2016). In Norway, universities and university colleges welcome new students with an introductory week at the beginning of each fall semester.…”

Ragging, a Form of University Violence in Sri Lanka—Prevalence, Self-Perceived Health Consequences, Help-Seeking Behavior and Associated Factors

“…Often, students’ wellbeing is affected due to initiation practices carried out in educational institutions over the world, and known as “Hazing” in North America, “Bizutage” in France, “Praxe” in Portugal, “Mopokaste” in Finland, and “Ragging” in South Asian countries [ 1 , 2 ]. These practices can range from being welcoming and consensual to violent and dangerous, depending on the context [ 3 ]. They are part of a complex social phenomenon and are contextual depending on the country, people, and situation [ 4 ].…”

Preliminary Exploration of Professional Development Instrument for Lecturers in Malaysia

“…In higher learning institution, leaders and lecturers are expected to perform demanding programs to support learning activities (Cahill et al, 2015). This is due to the fact that lecturers' competency will somehow determine both positive and negative world of the higher education students (Dias & Sá, 2014). Being an educator, a lecturer must have professional identity and professional quality (Pereira, Lopes, & Marta, 2015) so that they will understand the concept of educational utility that effectuate learning (Subramaniam & Esprívalo Harrell, 2015).…”