Abstract: The transition to university life is challenging, involving academic adaptation and social and lifestyle adjustment, so it is no surprise that attrition is at its highest in the first year of attending university. Studies have investigated factors influencing students’ adjustment, and the formation of a new learner identity within university has proven to be crucial. However, few studies have provided rich qualitative longitudinal data to illustrat-e identity formation in the first year of university. Adopting a narrative inquiry approach, this paper tells the story of Christy, a mainland Chinese st-udent attending a university in Hong Kong, who struggled in her first year. With data collected from in-depth interviews, the participant’s journal

entries and email correspondence, this narrative inquiry illustrates the development of Christy’s identity as a university student.