<p>The article is devoted to the problem of adaptation of first-year students to the conditions for mastering educational programs at the university. It is based on the results of monitoring of students of Russian higher educational institutions within the framework of the research "Change in Composition and Life Priorities of Students of Higher Educational Institutions and Their Social Stability ", executed by the Penza State University of Architecture and Construction. More than 400 students from 13 state universities in 5 federal districts of Russia took part in the monitoring.</p><p>The article features the results of monitoring of Russian students concerning their readiness for higher educational institutions. The results of the monitoring showed that the problem of adaptation of first-year students is a major issue, which still remains a subject for discussions while being the foundation of education in junior courses. The paper defines the concept of adaptation, presents the types and functions of the student's social adaptation and summarizes the conclusions of the study. Some proposals to improve the adaptation of first-year students have been developed and implemented.</p>