Graduation Date

Spring 2025

Document Type

Project

Program

Master of Arts degree with a major in Psychology, option Academic Research

Committee Chair Name

Dr. Brandilynn Villarreal

Committee Chair Affiliation

Cal Poly Humboldt Faculty or Staff

Second Committee Member Name

Dr. Amber Gaffney

Second Committee Member Affiliation

Cal Poly Humboldt Faculty or Staff

Keywords

Self-determination theory, Psychosocial resources, First-year students, Motivation, College transition, Young adulthood, Development

Subject Categories

Psychology

Abstract

First-year students transitioning to college culture have various areas of concern during this developmental period. Adolescents and young adults focus on creating and maintaining social connections while navigating a new environment and keeping up with their academics. With rising tuition costs, economic uncertainty, and pressing social challenges, many students enter college under significant stress. Navigating these challenges successfully requires motivation and support to persist through the first year and beyond. This project explored how college institutions support first-year students’ transition to higher education by helping students fulfill the three basic psychological needs of self-determination theory: autonomy, competency, and relatedness. When these psychological needs are fulfilled, students are more intrinsically motivated to complete their educational goals, especially in the face of challenges. Additionally, this project reviewed various factors that support students’ success, including coping strategies, identity development, resilience, problem-solving, and social support from parents, family, campus resources, faculty, staff, friends, and cohorts. Collectively, these supports are referred to as psychosocial resources. In a post-pandemic society, there is a growing need to understand students’ changing needs and experiences in higher education.

Citation Style

APA

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