Great expectations: The relation between expectancies and adjustment during the transition to university

The nature of students' expectations about university, and their relation w ith adjustment in university, were examined in a longitudinal investigation . Prior to starting university, participants responded to open-ended questi ons regarding their expectations about university. At this time, and during their 1st, 2nd, and 4th years of study, measures of adjustment were comple ted. Four distinct types of expectations about university were identified: optimistic, prepared, fearful, and complacent. Students whose expectations were fearful reported more stress, depression, and poorer university adjust ment than did individuals with other types of expectations, particularly pr epared. Moreover, group differences in university adjustment existed throug hout students' 4 years at university, and were not attributable to self-rep orted previous levels of personal adjustment or academic achievement.