Throughout the daily course of one’s life, he or she enacts distinct social roles in order to effectively communicate with others. Whether talking to a parent, a boss, or just a friend, one partakes in the act of code-switching, formally defined as changing from one variety of language, dialect, or behavior to another as the situation demands (Lavenda & Schultz 2016, 33). However, these episodes of code-switching can be influenced by many factors that may affect one’s ability to do so. I interviewed three first-year college students who currently attend the University of Iowa (all whose real names I have kept anonymous and replaced with fake ones) that I have met through both high school and attending the university: Adrian, a male from a small high school of about 450 students; Kate, a female from a larger high school of about 1,900 students; and Peter, a male also from a small high school of about 300 students. Through elaborate interviews with these four informative participants, I have discovered that it tends to be more difficult for students from smaller high schools to transition to a substantially sizable university than it is for students from larger high schools. Through an abundance of clubs a well as broader student bodies being provided at bigger high schools, it may be easier for students of a Class 4A school to adapt to their surroundings than it is for a student of a Class 3A or 2A school, where they may have slimmer alternatives in friend groups, student
In the article, “Learning How to Code Switch: Humbling, but Necessary,” I learned that I can relate to Eric Deggans to my own experience. When growing up I had to code switch, an example when I was in elementary and I was in Bilingual classes from Kindergarten to Third Grade. Then when fourth Grade hit my school wanted to switch me to an English class not a Bilingual classes anymore. My mom that day had a lot of thought about it and she said it was fine that the school suggested that, so I switched. The change was different because I couldn’t speak Spanish in my 4th grade English class anymore and I had to code switch to just speaking English to the rest of my classmates. And when I saw my Last 3rd grade bilingual class moving to 4th grade
Freshman year of college, a time of joy, and frustrations. Thrust into a new world of opportunity and comradery, but also no longer having the guiding hand of a parent or guardian to assist in troubled times. We now are faced to deal with problems our own. Here at Tarleton State University, two major issues that stem from very simple problems are finding a parking spot and also lack of variety in the dining hall. I interviewed several people and discovered that these are small things to the outside world but to those afflicted by these things they can be the thing that makes a difference between doing well in class and being successful, or not being able to focus in class or being able to go to class at all. Naomi Rockler-Gladen wrote a list
“Why fit in when you can stand out?” You have been told this your whole life. But whose responsibility is it to find out where you fit in, yours? Or your peers? Your adolescent years are all about trying to not stand out, and trying just as hard to fit in with the “in crowd.” You use more energy trying to “fit in,” instead of just spending all your energy on being who you really are. A group of friends are suppose to have things in common, but that is hard when everyone is putting up a fake persona. It is the student body’s responsibility to make sure that everyone has a place they can fit in and be themselves. People spend their whole lives trying to “fit in,” while the people who “stand out” are the ones who become something. Think
One undergrad student who is now a senior, Cassandra Skinner, tells how her choice to attend an HBCU was difficult due to the misconception that these types of schools were “ghetto” or “ratchet”. But after her first semester, and being on the cheerleader squad, she realized that this is where she belonged, with “her
John does not socialize with his classmates but he will communicate academically with one student. The seating arrangement was modified to allow these two students to sit adjacent to each other. These changes could foster social communication for John.
“Students who successfully adapt, establish social relationships with Whites, adjust to Black-White cultural differences, and cope with college
As a transfer student from Pasadena City College, I struggled to adapt to the fast paced quarter system in my first year at Cal Poly Pomona. Lacking of confidence in my communication skill, I did not try to get involved on campus because of my sense of insecurity and the fear of getting embarrassed. However, after spending two quarters and having a comprehensive knowledge of the available resources on campus, I decided that it was the time for me to push my boundaries and to challenge myself to get involved on campus as much as I could to train my soft skills.
Making friends on U.S. campuses could be challenging for those who are an international students. It’s not easy to make friends with American students because they tend to be independent and keep distance from others. In Rebekah Nathan’s book “My Freshman Year”, Nathan claims that social life and developing friendships on U.S. campuses is difficult for international students because American students would make them feel uncomfortable and invisible at times. Nathan’s argues that American students don’t put any effort in talking to students from different race, ethnic, and background. International students are usually on their own or be with their friends since Americans wouldn’t make friends with them. In nathan’s book, she discusses about the
In these dorms, the initial interactions that socially code us throughout college are initiated. These social interactions create and solidify bonds between students that can continue for the rest of their lives. A change to the demographics of the freshman dorms doesn’t just create an immediate effect, but also affects every current and future resident of UC Davis. A freshmen social group that is initially less diverse will lead to a less diverse group of friends throughout the remaining years of their undergraduate studies. This reduces their social group to a less diverse group of individuals, which reduces the chance for them to interact with other cultures and overcome any form of culture shock that they are affected by, whether it be here in UC Davis or later in their careers. Freshmen dorms are the only place that nurtures cultural interaction to create a UC Davis community that is ultimately more unified, accepting, and respectful of all people and their different cultures.
Adam Gorlick in “ Got an hour? Boost your grades. Stanford psychologists design 60-minute exercise that raises GPAs of minority student” talks about the transition from high school to college and the difficulties many students face. In his article Adam Gorlick brings up various questions many freshman ask for example, will they fit in but also brings up the issue of being a minority in a new college campus. He later goes on to talk about how these situations during the transition to college are situations that everyone goes through.
High School culture has changed since the “old days.” Students from all grades are not only striving for academic success, but also participate in many extracurricular activities as outside forces continue to impact social life. With this comes the typical struggles of students figuring out who they are, and what kind of person they want to become as college becomes a daunting factor.
Cliches, common at most high schools, often categorize and exclude students with unique interests and talents for being “weird”. Whereas, at St. John’s students genuinely appreciate the unique gifts present in each of their fellow classmates. Encouraged to feel compassion for fellow classmates and others, Prep student learn the benefits of considering the needs of others and helping were needed. As such, no one should feel alone at the prep with the support of their brothers ever present. Starting at a new school can be terrifying, especially when it comes to finding a group to sit with at lunch. While at lunch with his friends, one student noticed a boy sitting alone. He asked the boy to sit with them, and from that simple compassionate gesture, a close friendship developed. At the Prep students develop a network of friends within the community, a network not restrained by the boundaries of a cliche, but instead as diverse as their individual interests. Friends who celebrate each other's success and support each other’s needs, friends who will be present and who will not
I went to three different school during elementary through high school and I would have to adapt everytime. I learn the significance difference of perspective despite the relatively close distance of each school. However, despite the relatively close distance, the students were differ from each schools. Each school interact and socialize differently. The fact that it is different, I constantly adjust the way I interact and it has enable me to be socially adjust myself in most social environment. Being in different schools also encourage me to be socially engage, making new friends whenever I moved, which led me to accustomed the habit to be more initiative. Consequently, I tend to reach out to others, rather than being
Adam is a college freshman in New York. He moved from his hometown of Boston to New York for college. He wanted a fresh start and to branch out from his family. During high school Adam describes himself as quiet, reserved, and awkward. Adam feels that he has a good personality, but rarely shows it. When Adam is comfortable with others he describes himself as funny, joyful, and talkative. Adam is aware of the consequences of his actions (Wessels, N. M., Zimmermann, J., & Leising, D.,2016). In his psychology class he is put into a group with 3 other students. He is pleased with the 3 other students, he could see himself wanting to be friends with them. Adam felt that this scenario is ideal for him, it would help ease him into being more
This results in few friends and international students tending to isolate themselves or keeping to a group of the same language. Depression comes into effect for those that cannot find peers of the same language. Therefore being forced to have very or no friend which leads to loneliness and depression. The barrier between international students and English speaking students create obstacles that impede the building of interpersonal relationships with fellow students. International students not fluent with the English language experience difficulties that students who are fluent do not. They difficulties include needing extra time to read assigned reading, difficulties understanding class lectures and discussions, and difficulties communicating concerns and view points (Tam. K, Donghyuck. L, & Huang. L, 2007) International students tend to disconnect from their previous social life and find new connections to develop new social Support networks in their new host country (Tam. K, Donghyuck. L, & Huang. L, 2007). Pedersen (1991), point out that a loss of social support as an impact on the psychological well-being of an international student. The unpleasant experience of forming new support networks in host country leads to feeling of disappointment and discontent. Overtime, these feeling lead to social isolation (Mallinckrodt and Leong 1992).