Abstract
M.A.
This was a study of how a group of second and third year humanities students at the University of Johannesburg managed to access University and progress past the critical and often turbulent first year. Data collected from the study participants through in-depth interviews and life histories reveal that encouraging parents and teachers, access to information on financial aid, and self-determination, were significant in contributing positively toward academic success. The study also reveals that role models play a very important part in student success. Especially significant is the role played by mothers (most with low educational qualifications) in encouraging their children to pursue higher education. This is noteworthy because it shows that students‘ pursuit of higher education is not wholly dependent on parents‘ education but on the parents‘ educational aspirations for their children.