Scouting the Territory

I was initially interested in researching stress among college students in a broad sense- What factors contributed to stress in college students? What resources are available to college students to cope with stress? Is stress experienced more in females or males, and why? And to what extent is stress a product of the collegiate institution? However, I choose to change my topic after reading more about the first-year experience at college. For my own personal reasons I am interesting in learning more about factors which shape the first-year experience since my first year was filled with obstacles. While I am still interested in answering all the aforementioned questions, I would like to explore them in the context of the first year experience and learn how and why stress manifests itself in this period of collegiate life.

The following sources appear helpful in further investigating this topic:

Krumrei-Mancuso E, Newton F, Kim E, Wilcox D. Psychosocial Factors Predicting First-Year College Student Success. Journal Of College Student Development [serial online]. May 1, 2013;54(3):247-266. Available from: ERIC, Ipswich, MA. Accessed February 18, 2014.

This article addresses factors such as GPA, life satisfaction, stress and time management as affecting a students success as a first-year student. 

Fielder, Robyn L., et al. "Sexual Hookups And Adverse Health Outcomes: A Longitudinal Study Of First-Year College Women." Journal Of Sex Research 51.2 (2014): 131-144. Academic Search Premier. Web. 18 Feb. 2014.

This article discusses the psychological and social effects of sexual promiscuity among first-year college women and offers evidence for the correlation between casual "hook-ups" and depression. 


Krieg, Dana Balsink1. "High Expectations For Higher Education: Perceptions of College and Experience of Stress Prior to and Throughout the College Career." College Student Journal 47.4 (2013): 635-643. Education Full Text (H.W. Wilson). Web. 18 Feb. 2014.

This article focuses on the role of unrealistic expectations in shaping a student's first year. The author cites the the importance of this transitional period where students are expected to adapt to new academic expectations, a broader and more diverse peer group and a much greater deal of individual responsibility.