In Their Own Words: Transitioning to College Life During the Pandemic

• In Event: Transitions and Trajectories: The Nexus of Moving in and out of Higher Education

Abstract

Experiences during the first year of college can impact a student’s future academic success. First-year programs and initiatives guide and support students to and through their collegiate experience by providing information, resources, and services. First-year programs and initiatives are often able to anticipate the needs of students, but what are the challenges and opportunities facing students during an unprecedented pandemic? This qualitative study centers the student perspective by using their own words to understand the positive and negative experiences faced during their first semester. To compare the experience of transitioning to college life at the onset of the pandemic to other students, this study reviews trends and divergent themes from six timepoints in three fall semesters (2019, 2020, and 2021).

Authors

• Ana Guadalupe Vielma, University of Texas at Austin
  Presenting Author

• Jennifer Nailos, University of Texas at Austin
  Presenting Author

• Jeffrey Mayo, University of Texas at Austin
  Presenting Author

• Patricia Moran Micks, University of Texas at Austin
  Presenting Author