This study examines the psychological and subjective experiences of Latina/o community college students. The impact of these experiences on their persistence toward achieving their education goals is also examined. Interviews with 17 community college students yielded 8 themes: overcoming personal and social challenges, maturation, self-discovery and college adjustment, self-efficacy, continuously strategizing, sense of purpose, perception of faculty, perception of advisors, and guided and groomed by family to succeed. Implications for practice and recommendations for community colleges are discussed.
Este estudio examina las experiencias psicológicas subjetivas de estudiantes Latinas/os de preparatoria.También se examinó el impacto de estas experiencias en la persistencia paral alcanzar metas educativas. Entrevistas con 17 estudiantes de preparatoria produjeron ocho temas: Sobreponerse a retos personales y sociales, madurez, descubrimiento personal y ajuste universitario, eficacia personal, estrategia continua, entendimiento de propósito, percepción de profesores, percepción de consejeros, y guía y cuidado familiar para triunfar. Implicaciones prácticas y recomendaciones para colegios preparatorios se discuten.
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