Interpersonal Conflicts and Resolution Mechanisms among Freshman Students: A Comparative Study of Two Higher Learning Institutions (HLIs) in Ethiopia

his paper examines the interpersonal conflicts among freshman students of two (private and public) institutions of higher learning in Ethiopia. Students face a host of academic, social, and personal challenges that they may have never faced before. The study identifies causes of conflicts and using mixed methods the various ways they are manifested and resolved. Results showed that the major causes of conflicts experienced were associated with process of transition to the new social environment. Variations were observed in causes and ways of dealing with conflicts between private and public institutions. Participation of students and respecting their ways of doing peace was found minimal. Girls were found to be smart in minimizing conflict incidences and resolving more effectively than boys. The paper concludes that the issue of conflict management in institutions of higher learning has reached a point where effective use of students’ caliber of conflict resolution strategies can no longer be ignored.