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Dismal graduation rates amongst black South African university students indicate high levels of academic unpreparedness. Socio-economic circumstances have been cited as core contributing factors in this regard. Adopting a sociological perspective, I argue that not enough attention is given to the emotional trauma experienced by first generation black working class students transitioning into historically white universities. This trauma often translates into an existential crisis where the search for a new sense of self emerges. This article has been developed from my PhD thesis, and describes the struggles accompanying a black student’s search for an authentic sense of identity and acceptance. Drawing on a social constructionist model of identity formation, I locate Giddens’ (1991) concept of ‘fateful moments’ as an effective tool for developing deeper insights into black students’ perceptions of self. In doing so, I highlight the sensitivities surrounding these students’ academic performance. In concluding, I underscore the strong interconnections between a strong sense of self, feeling at ‘home’ within the institution, and academic success.

'When you write you are not expected to come from your home': Analysing 'fateful moments' as a reclaiming of 'self' in historically white university