Learning about Yourself: How Identity can Impact College Identity PowerPoint #2

1. Learning about Yourself: How Identity can Impact College Identity PowerPoint #2 Traditional age college students just out of high school are often challenged by new ideas, beliefs, and life styles. Considering change with so many options is even more challenging.

2. Let’s Start with a Review How are they different ? How are they similar ? How will they change as they get older in college?

3. Which comes first … what are the consequences? In college classes we use a lot of jargon. The theory we will talk about today labels these 4 categories as: Foreclosure, Diffusion, Moratorium, and Achievement. Felicia and Daniel Mark are about to enter college. They are in a stage of development that will impact their success. They each face issues in : Achievement & Career Values Life Style Foreclosure Diffusion Moratorium Achievement Livin’ at Home Oh Well Dazed & Confused Taken the Next Step Young adults in college move through this process from Foreclosure to Diffusion to Moratorium to Achievement in Careers, Values, and Lifestyle Who Cares ? Independent & Searching Explored & Chosen a Career Felicia Daniel Mark Who Cares ? Independent & Searching Challenged their values & decided Felicia Daniel Mark Who Cares ? Independent & Searching Considered options & decided Felicia & DM

4. College Courses Study TheoriesHere are a couple theories you to help you understand YOU ! Erikson’s 8 Psychosocial Stages Trust vs. Mistrust Infants Autonomy vs. Doubt Toddlers Initiative vs. Guilt Pre-School Industry vs. Inferiority Elementary Students Identity vs. Role Confusion High school & College Intimacy vs. Isolation Adults Generativity vs. Stagnation Old guys Integrity vs. Despair Very Old Guys If you are less than 25 it is VERY likely you are in Identity vs. Role Confusion

5. Erikson’s Stage for Adolescence & Young Adults Identity vs. Role Confusion Students in this stage are trying to discover who they are, what they believe, and what their life will be like after college. This often involves indecision, confusion, mood swings, and anxiety. College students ask “Who am I?” This is not an easy question to answer and can preoccupy their thinking. It is not unusual for students to question themselves and change their minds about their major, their boy/girl friend, and even the basic values they have always held (for example religion). They are looking for answers to 3 questions: • What vocation should I pursue? What about my major? • What will my future life style be? Should I get married? • What is important in life and how do I decide right and wrong?

6. James Marcia – Identity Formation • Identity Foreclosure– Early commitment without exploring options. They are following what they have always been told. • Identity Diffusion - No commitment, no exploration, and often not particularly interested in doing “the responsible thing.” This often includes an avoidance of decision making about the future. They often seem to not really care (“Oh, well!”) • Moratorium – Actively considering options. This is a stage of exploration and considering possibilities which causes anxiety and indecision. Students question the past and the future. They question past advice and decisions and worry about what the future holds. • Identity Achievement – After exploring options you identify you vocational goals, your own values and morals, and life style. Felicia entered college in Foreclosure in Academics, Values, and Lifestyle. D.M. entered college in Foreclosure in Lifestyle D.M. entered college in Diffusion in Academics and Careers D.M. entered college in Moratorium in Values. Very few traditional age college students are in Achievement but many older college students are in Achievement in all areas.

7. James Marcia – Identity FormationCommitment & Crises/Exploration COMMMITMENT C R I S E S and E X P L O R E Diffusion No commitment and have never really explored any options about careers, values, or lifestyle. Foreclosure Committed to careers, values, and lifestyles without any exploration of alternatives. Often commitments were decide long ago. Moratorium Haven’t made a firm commitment to a career, values, or lifestyle but they are considering options. Identity Achievement This takes a long time and a lot of exploring of options.

8. What stage is most Problematic ? • In your small Learning Communities discuss which stage of Identity is most likely to cause problems for college students and why? • Use examples from your Potential Problem Students and discuss the problems of: • Foreclosure • Diffusion • Moratorium • Think in terms of Vital Behaviors for college success (attendance, assignments, engagement in class) and which of these behaviors might cause serious problems.

9. What is your Stage of Identity?Interviewing your “Team” In your small Learning Community, interview each person after they explain which stage they are in (Foreclosure, Diffusion, Moratorium, or Achievement) for Careers, Values, and Lifestyle. You job is to CHALLENGE them with questions.

10. How would they Study ? • In your Learning Community discuss how students in Foreclosure, Diffusion, Moratorium, and Achievement might prepare for a test. What might the differences be in: • Their motivation to do well on a test? • How they manage their time? • How much time they spend study for the test and when they start ? • How many questions they ask in class?

11. Academic Majors Fair On Friday September 24th there will be an Academic Majors Fair in the Student Activities Center. You will have the opportunity to talk to professors in almost every major offered at IU South Bend. Bring your Academic & Career questions along and help yourself resolve your indecision, confusion, anxiety, and maybe even pick a major and career. Put this on your calendar !