Open AccessAdapting to College Life After Military Service
Author(s) -
Vicente M. Lechuga,
Tearney Woodruff,
Vassa Grichko,
Kevin J. Bazner
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
the journal of college orientation and transition
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 2690-4535
pISSN - 1534-2263
DOI - 10.24926/jcotr.v28i1.3062
Subject(s) - military service , psychology , self determination theory , intrinsic motivation , medical education , service member , college education , mathematics education , pedagogy , military personnel , applied psychology , social psychology , medicine , political science , autonomy , economics , law , demographic economics
This study explores how student veterans draw on principles of self-determination theory, focusing on the learning processes shaping their abilities to adapt to new environments, namely college. By developing intrinsic motivation, student veterans successfully embrace their college student identities. Using a case study method along with self-determination theory, this study demonstrates how characteristics of intrinsic motivation assisted student veterans to shape their development as college students. As such, student veterans were enabled to become self-determined, which fostered their transition to the college environment. Implications for higher education practitioners and counselors are discussed.