The article deals with the problem of personal maturation in adolescence on the example of students. The problematic aspect of growing up is revealed - the socio-psychological adaptation of a young person to adulthood, to constantly changing social conditions. The difficulties of the process of adaptation of students to university conditions are shown. Different forms of organization of developmental learning, its content, teaching methods, types of work are described. Special attention is paid to the connection of education with the process of upbringing as a prerequisite for the maturation of a person and the appearance of such qualities as responsibility, independence, the ability to interact with other people. The results of the conducted research of such an effective indicator of personality development as empathy are described. The main trends in the development of empathy at the student age are revealed by the example of future psychologists.