Graduate Student Essay Research Paper Edward MorganEducationAdolescent

Graduate Student Essay, Research Paper

Edward Morgan

Education

Adolescent Development in Educational Contexts

Workshop Project

One of the most complex periods of adjustment for adolescents is the shift from high school to college. When adolescents begin to grow up and advance to higher education they are also being asked to become autonomous, abstract thinking, problem solving, planning individuals. This type of transition is unique to their life experience. For many adolescents, this will be the time when they are empowered with decision making power and the independence to explore life in contexts in which they may have previously been limited. In addition to the freedom, adolescents who attend college are also being exposed and prepared for their future, by the means of education, as well as life experience.

The transition from high school to college causes many new issues to emerge in an adolescent’s life. The student shifts from a state of dependence to independence. The adolescent may be living away from their parents and family, which would lead to a drastic increase in responsibility. The adolescent may also be facing new types of responsibilities including: financial, career choice, a college-work schedule, family and peers, and other psychological stresses. Of the issues an adolescent faces, there is a psychological separation-individuation adjustment that occurs when they adapt to college life (Lapsley et al, p.286).

Within this separation-individuation transformation that is occurring, in the lives of these adolescents, there are four dimensions of independence that an adolescent will embark upon as they begin to separate from their parents. Functional independence is the ability of the adolescent to manage their personal lives without the assistance of their mother or father. Attitudinal independence refers to the shaping of the individuals personal values, beliefs, and opinions. Emotional independence describes the young adult’s ability to move away from the need of approval, closeness, and emotional support. Finally, conflictual independence explains the freedom from excessive guilt, anxiety, and resentment. (Lapels, p.286).

As adolescents begin to explore their new independence, there is room for some significant problems and concerns. Since these students are just beginning their collegiate lives, there are some extreme differences from high school that will be observed and internalized. First, college isn’t free. One of the most problematic adjustments to higher education is that there are drastic increases in financial costs. Until now, education, books, and other school related costs may have been provided for the student or were the responsibility of others. Tuition, lab fees, parking fees, books, testing materials, school supplies, and many other expenses become the student’s responsibility. Financial issues may also include living arrangements, car payments/insurance, credit cards, student loans, grants, savings, and scholarships begin to occupy the adolescent’s thoughts.

In order to facilitate their financial needs, adolescents must become assertive and research what resources are available to them. This would include visiting the financial aid office, applying for various grants and loans, and using the Internet to assess options. Seeking out scholarships is also an often-overlooked financial resource. Many first-time college students are unaware of the abundance of scholarships and where to go to find them. Also, adolescents should pay a visit to their personal banks. There are many banks that offer checking accounts with no monthly service charges, and offer low-interest credit cards for college students.

Times have also changed from when a child would follow in the footsteps of their parents regarding career choice. Today, adolescents have limitless career choices and opportunities available to them. There is only one problem, many new college students are still searching for a path to their career, or for their major. Many adolescents do not adequately explore career on their own and also receive little direction from guidance counselors at their schools (Santrock, p. 449). Without career counseling many students don’t know where to look to find careers that would best suit them, how to choose the best college, and how to effectively work toward that career goal.

Students often go to college expecting something special however, their ascent from high school to college may be less than ideal (Santrock, p. 251). As students are immersed into a new, strange, and distant educational culture, there are many resources available to the student that will make the transition smoother. First, colleges often offer orientation programs for new students to help them get involved in campus life. Students may begin to learn that there are countless activities that parallel the school in college. There are quite often an immense number of student organizations, clubs, athletic teams, and groups that will provide social components for the adolescent.

The college campus also has several functional institutions within it. There are medical resources available to students at little to no charge. Colleges often have health centers were students are able to visit and expenses are met by fees included in tuition costs. Also, many colleges have gyms or fitness centers on