Longitudinal Changes in Asian University Students: Language Code Switching as a Moderator in College Adaptation

• In Event: 14.045 - Roundtable Session 3
  In Roundtable Session: 14.045-9 - On the Move: Examining the Experiences of Students in Transition

Abstract

The transition period for many college students can prove to be difficult as they navigate a new social network. We aim to investigate the trends and patterns of college adaptation, loneliness, feelings of community, and number of friends throughout the first year of college, in comparison to students who are in their second year of college. Feelings of adaptation tended to decrease over time for the first years, and are quadratic in nature for the second years. Code switching moderates this effect, such that those who code switch more dropped in feelings of adaptation less. Adaptation does not appear to be something that only happens during the transition from high school to university, but rather changes over time.

Authors

• Stephanie Dietz, Singapore University of Technology and Design

• Xiaoqian Li, Singapore University

• W. Quin Yow, Singapore University of Technology and Design