Social Health
Social Health
Transcript
Student veterans may encounter social challenges such as navigating the transition from military to civilian life, or balancing their studies with family responsibilities. Colleges and universities that develop thoughtful support systems for veterans around social issues may help reduce isolation and stress leading to improved performance in classes and better learning experiences.
When a service member transitions out of the military, they face the enormous task of reforming their identity as a civilian, everything about their life, their relationships, their community, and even the language they use on a daily basis has changed.
Although veterans would like to connect with others they are worried that they will be misunderstood. This fear can lead to loneliness, alienation, and isolation. In the case of a student veteran, their academic performance may suffer as a result.
Compared to other students, student veterans are much more likely to be married and/or have a child. It is difficult for any student to manage their time to complete their assignments and study so that they will be successful in their coursework. For the student veteran that has to manage a household, and navigate everyday family life, time management for school becomes complicated.
How can colleges and universities help? Support systems for student veterans around these and other social health issues might include a veterans lounge and/or support groups, for student veterans to share their stories with other veterans, which can be particularly helpful in assisting them in constructing their new identity as civilians.
Professional development for faculty and staff can help, in better understanding military life, the military-civilian divide, and the process of transitioning out of the military, in order to put themselves in a better position to connect with and support student veterans.
Colleges and universities can also think about how to support student veterans with families in navigating the particular challenges around housing, child care, spousal employment, and so on. Even if there aren't resources available to provide specific support in this area, the higher education professionals that work with student veterans can develop relationships within the community to assist in any way that they can. Even the sim
When a service member transitions out of the military, they face the enormous task of reforming their identity as a civilian, everything about their life, their relationships, their community, and even the language they use on a daily basis has changed.
Although veterans would like to connect with others they are worried that they will be misunderstood. This fear can lead to loneliness, alienation, and isolation. In the case of a student veteran, their academic performance may suffer as a result.
Compared to other students, student veterans are much more likely to be married and/or have a child. It is difficult for any student to manage their time to complete their assignments and study so that they will be successful in their coursework. For the student veteran that has to manage a household, and navigate everyday family life, time management for school becomes complicated.
How can colleges and universities help? Support systems for student veterans around these and other social health issues might include a veterans lounge and/or support groups, for student veterans to share their stories with other veterans, which can be particularly helpful in assisting them in constructing their new identity as civilians.
Professional development for faculty and staff can help, in better understanding military life, the military-civilian divide, and the process of transitioning out of the military, in order to put themselves in a better position to connect with and support student veterans.
Colleges and universities can also think about how to support student veterans with families in navigating the particular challenges around housing, child care, spousal employment, and so on. Even if there aren't resources available to provide specific support in this area, the higher education professionals that work with student veterans can develop relationships within the community to assist in any way that they can. Even the sim