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Aug 24, 2023 514 likes •737 views

Adjustment to College Theory at East Carolina University Adjustment to College and Readjustment to Home Culture 31 st Annual Conference on the First-Year Experience February 19, 2012 Karen S. Smith, Associate Director Office of Student

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Adjustment to College Theory

at East Carolina University

Adjustment to College and Readjustment to Home Culture 31st Annual Conference on the First-Year Experience February 19, 2012 Karen S. Smith, Associate Director Office of Student Transitions and First Year Programs smithka@ecu.edu

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East Carolina University

4-year, public institution
Approximately 28,000 students
Around 4,000 freshmen each year
Located in Greenville, NC
Carnegie Classification: Doctoral/Research University and

Community Engagement

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Stage A: Honeymoon

Prior to arrival and during the first few

days

Students are enthusiastic
Students want to meet new people and

start out on their own

University is welcoming

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Student Concerns - August

Homesick
Long-distance

relationships

Campus familiarity
Loss of identity
Values
Diversity
Money

management

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Stage B: Culture Shock

Hard to adjust to new surroundings
Difficult adjusting to roommate
Expectations and values differ from prior

experiences.

Excitement wears off, people withdraw

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Student Concerns - September

Roommate conflict
New study habits
Relationships
Still homesick
School is not “new”
Alcohol
Greek Life &

Organizations

Time Management

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Stage C: Initial Adjustment

Physical adjustment occurs
Confidence increases
Gap between home and university

customs and values persists

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Student Concerns - October

Roommate/Hall

conflict

Midterms
Fall break
Halloween
Values
Alcohol

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Stage D: Mental Isolation

Some things still stand out as “different”.
Feeling that getting to know others is hard.
Feeling alone.
Values are challenged
Critical time period for many students

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Student Concerns - November

Health issues
Projects
Depression/Suicidal
Alcohol
Finals are coming
Thanksgiving break

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Stage E: Acceptance and Integration

Students feel they are a part of their new

environment.

Home values reconciled with university

values.

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Student Concerns - December

Returning home,

especially after Thanksgiving

Holidays
Social isolation
Money
Final exams,

papers, projects

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Programs

New Student Orientation
Convocation
Plunge Into Purple
Pirate Read
Freshman Seminar (COAD 1000)

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Orientation Freshman Seminar Pirate Read Plunge Into Purple Convocation

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Program Assessment

New Student Orientation
Convocation
Plunge Into Purple
Pirate Read
Freshman Seminar (COAD 1000)

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W-Curve Research

43% said they had visited home 5 or more

times since move in

Exams/Test caused greatest stress
End of semester has been highest period
f stress

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