Emotional regulation and social development during the transition to college

Emotional Changes

Owing to the ever-changing subjective judgments and life pursuits of young people, the transition to adult hood "has become so delayed and prolonged that it has spawned a new transitional period, extending from the late teens to the mid-twenties, called emerging adulthood" (Zanden, Crandell & Crandell, 2003, p. 366). Emerging adulthood is a fundamental stage in human development, incorporating a range of emotional changes. I personally have experienced a number of significant emotion-related changes since joining college a few months back.

Of particular significance is that I am beginning to find it relatively easy to manage the experiences of negative emotion. Back in high school, I found it extremely difficult to prevent the occurrence of such emotion. I always felt the urge to provoke feelings of sadness, fear, or anger in my colleagues, especially those that I did not get along with. It was almost impossible for me not to answer back, and even engage in unfounded arguments whenever someone said something that I did not agree with. I would only achieve satisfaction if the other party conceded defeat, and everyone else saw me as the 'winner'. However, I couldn't help noticing that there somehow has been a shift of priorities in this regard. I find myself not only choosing to avoid people or situations that are likely to trigger negative emotion, but I am also more able to regulate my emotions and respond in a manner that creates peace, rather than personal satisfaction.

I could not help noticing that my experiences of negative emotion have decreased significantly since joining college. This, in the opinion of Williams & Drolet (2005), is a common occurrence amongst those in my age group. All of a sudden, I am no longer that person who loves to pick on others and get everyone to see things my way. These days, I find myself more appreciative of the views and opinions of others and, generally, more understanding of others. These changes are in agreement with the argument Giddings, Heyes, Bird, Viner & Blakemore, 2012) put forward with regard to changes that occur as one transitions to adulthood. I have less anxiety when dealing with others, perhaps because I no longer focus so much on them 'beating' me and everyone else seeing me as that person who loses in arguments. Shockingly, I find myself more contented than disappointed whenever someone makes me change perspective.