The role of information and expectations on the development of a higher education student identity

• In Event: AERA Roundtable Session Saturday 11:45 am - Gold 1
  In Roundtable Session: Discipline/Police/Incarceration

Abstract

Developing a higher education student identity is important to a successful transition into higher education. Introducing concepts from role acquisition in a higher education transition framework, we posit that the information prospective students gather about higher education before enrolling is associated with developing a higher education student identity in their first higher education year through the formation of more realistic expectations. Using a multi-institutional sample and a quantitative approach, we provided empirical evidence of a positive association between the perceived level of information students have before entering higher education, the match between expectations and experiences, and student identity development. This study has theoretical and practical implications.

Authors

• Paula Clasing-Manquian, PUC

• Maria Veronica Santelices, Catholic University of Chile