For many students, the transition to University is seen as a significant life event. Although the transition is traditionally perceived as beneficial, it does entail an adjustment period. This process presents the opportunity that encourages students to gain independence and push themselves out of their comfort zone, which involves responding to new academic and social challenges that may emerge. As such, this research hopes to investigate whether a game environment can provide support for new and returning students through the transition to University.
If you are a student at the University of Lincoln, you are invited to partake. In the first part of the study, you will be asked to complete two questionnaires about how you feel about University transition. Part two of the study will require you to download the ‘Transition to Lincoln University’ game from the Microsoft Store. You will be asked to spend a minimum of 30 minutes playing the game. The game developed will act as a virtual guide to help prepare individuals to transition to higher education. The game will be a digital replica of the University, taking you through a university student’s typical day. Part three will take place within three months time, and you will be asked to complete additional questionnaires. These will ask you questions about how you found the gameplay and your feelings and university experience.
Participation is voluntary, but the results of this study could impact the way future applicants are inducted. If you would like to take part you can find the link here: https://lncn.ac/vg&a-part1
The project “Video Games and Anxiety” contributes to research conducted on behalf of The University of Lincoln and has received a favourable ethical opinion from the University Research Ethics Committee (2021_4011).