Abstract

This study looked at First Time in College (FTIC) students’ overall college adjustment and whether modality of instruction during students’ senior year of high school relates to subsequent college adjustment. Those high school seniors who completed the entire year virtually experienced greater social isolation and restrictions that may have further limited navigation of developmental tasks and experiences that prepare students for college. Due to the novelty of the COVID-19 pandemic, this is the first cohort where such a marked split in high school experiences could impact future college adjustment. College students (N=294) attending a large public university completed the College Adjustment Test (Pennebaker, 1990), Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale (Rosenberg, 1965), and COVID-19 Fear Scale (Ahorsu et. al, 2020). The results of this study may increase awareness of how students from the high school graduating class of 2021 are adjusting to college during these unprecedented times, and help to identify if a particular type of high school senior year experience presents greater risk in relation to subsequent college adjustment. The results of this study may inform institutions of higher education on what can be done to facilitate the college adjustment of this unique cohort of FTIC students.

Thesis Completion

2022

Semester

Spring

Thesis Chair/Advisor

Mottarella, Karen

Degree

Bachelor of Science (B.S.)

College

College of Sciences

Department

Psychology

Degree Program

Clinical Psychology

Language

English

Access Status

Open Access

Release Date

5-1-2022

Included in

Psychology Commons

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