The purpose of this study is to identify, in a scientific way, specific learning needs of first year students and to design learning support programmes which can assist the university in the orientation of the first year students in being successful in their university studies and future careers.
Chapter One. This chapter explains the parameters of the title, states the problems, formulates the hypotheses, aims, methodology and defines the programme.
Chapter Two. This chapter attempts to describe the first year student as a person with cognitive, emotional, normative and social potential and to illustrate the practical implication for the learning support programmes.
Chapter Three. The questionnaire, used by the researcher to identify specific learning needs of first year students, was compiled and implemented in a scientifically-accountable way. The findings are statistically processed and assessed.
Chapter Four. In this chapter a scientifically-accountable learning support programme was designed with the aim to assist first year students studying at the University of Pretoria to effectively prepare themselves for their studies and future careers.
Chapter Five. This chapter presents a summary of the arguments put forward in this dissertion, together with some suggested recommendation that have emerged from the research. Specific themes relating to learning support programmes for first year students at the University of Pretoria, were highlighted for the purpose of further action research.
