MISSION: TRANSITION

Kristen Garza & Dan MurphyJames Madison University

NODA Region 8 Conference

Do You Choose to Accept?

Learning Objectives

By the end of this presentation, you should be able to:

• Define Transition• Describe Three Parts of a Transition• Identify Three Types of Transitions• Articulate Four Coping Resources for

Students in Transition• Name Tools to Assist Students in Transition

TRAN•SI•TION

Tran•si•tion (n) -Any event,

or non-event, that results in

changed relationships,

routines, assumptions, and

roles.

• Not so much a change as it is the individual’s perception of that change

• Only a transition if defined by the person experiencing it

• Context and Setting – the relationship of the individual to the transition

• Impact – degree to which the transition alters one’s daily life

Types of Transitions

• Anticipated Transitions– Transitions that happen that you expect to

happen.

• Unanticipated Transitions– Transitions that happen that you did NOT

expect to happen.

• Non-Event Transitions– Transitions that you expect to happen but

never do.

Types of Transitions

• Anticipated Transitions– Transitions that happen that you expect to

happen.

• Unanticipated Transitions– Transitions that happen that you did NOT

expect to happen.

• Non-Event Transitions– Transitions that you expect to happen but

never do.

THE END!

Take That… Rewind it Back!

• Transitions Start with THE END!– Endings Include

• Disengagement• Disidentification• Disenchantment• Disorientation

• Neutral Zone – A Time to Be– Individual has left old roles, relationships, routines, and

assumptions but is not in their new life, with new roles, relationships, routines, and assumptions.

• Beginnings– Start of a New Experience

And t0 help you through the transition, we present you with…

S QUA D

THE

S

S

S

S

S

Nancy Schlossberg’sFour S’s

• Situation• Self• Support• Strategies

SITUATION

• Trigger• Timing• Control• Role Change• Duration• Previous Experience

w/ Similar Transition• Concurrent Stress• Assessment

SELF• Personal/Demographic

Characteristics– Socioeconomic Status– Race/Ethnicity– Sex– Age– State of Health

• Psychological Resources– Ego Development– Outlook– Commitment– Values/Beliefs

S

SUPPORT• Types of Support

– Significant Others– Family Unit– Network of Friends– Organizations/

Institutions

• Functions of Support– Affect– Affirmation– Aid– Honest Feedback

S

STRATEGIES

• Three Coping Responses– Modify the Situation– Control the Meaning of the Problem– Manage Stress After it has

Occurred

• Four Coping Modes– Information Seeking– Direct Action– Inhibition of Action– Intrapsychic Behavior

S

Welcome to the S Squad!

Now you can help!

“How?” you ask!

Good Question… let’s explore the possibilities!

3 Assumptions

• People in transition are often confused and in need of assistance.

• You can learn about issues of major concern:– LISTEN to the person in transition– PROVIDE A FRAMEWORK for the person to

better understand her/his situation– INFLUENCE the person to cope more creatively.

• Helpers need to increase knowledge of:– KNOWLEDGE OF ADULT DEVELOPMENT.– COMMUNICATION SKILLS– COUNSELING SKILLS

Increase Knowledge:of Adult Development Theory

Increase Knowledge:of Communication Skills

• Large Repertoire of Skills• Adaptability• Involvement

– Commitment– Profitability

• Empathy• Re-framing• Self-Monitoring

Increase Knowledge:of Counseling Skills

• The LUV Triangle– Listen– Understand– Validate

• Be Empathetic!

Your Role as a Leader

• As reactions change over a period of time, perspectives can change.

• What if there are no role models?• New life is always built on the

identity of the life before.

This presentation

will self destruct in 7

seconds…

?’s

Special Thanks to all of our Secret Operatives!

• Counseling Adults in Transition: Linking Practice with Theory 2nd Edition. Schlossberg, Waters, & Goodman. 1995. Springer Publishing Company, Inc.

• The College Transfer Student in America. Jacobs, B. C. (Ed.). 2004. American Association of College Registrars and Admissions Officers.

• 2004 Transfer Student Survey• Transfer Student Personal Statements• NCES Website: http://nces.ed.gov/pubs97/97266.pdf • Ideas and Tools for Brief Counseling. Presbury, Echterling, &

McKee. 2002. Pearson Education, Inc.• Interplay: The Process of Interpersonal Communication. 8th

Edition. Adler, Rosenfeld & Proctor. 2001. Harcourt College Publishers.

Your Presenters

Kristen GarzaGraduate Assistant – Transfer ExperienceJames Madison Universitygarzaka@jmu.edu 540.568.1787

Dan MurphyGraduate Assistant – First-Year ExperienceJames Madison Universitymurph2dw@jmu.edu 540.568.1787