Dr. Joel Lane, Oakland alum, is the first annual recipient of the National Board of Certified Counselors (NBCC), Annual Dissertation Award.

Lane’s dissertation examines why transitional periods, like college, can be harder for some young adults than others.

“I was interested in the idea of various life transitions a young adult goes through; entering college, leaving college and starting in the work force,” Lane said.

Through surveys given to 18 to 27-years-old, Lane, discovered that a big part of succeeding in transitional phases was having strong significant relationships with family and friends.

“The biggest finding and what made me happy about the results is that it showed that the quality of the relationships with their parents impacted the ability to make relationships with friends and then that was the thing that was most important in their transition success,” Lane said. “The three of them worked together in that order.”

“My go-to for stress relief is prayer or family,” Amanda Coffee, studio art major, said. “I have an awesome support group that is actively a part of my life. Whenever I’m overwhelmed I know I can go to them.”

Part of what sparked Lane’s interest was something he noticed upon finishing college through his social network.

“Some left prepared and ready to move on to the next step,” Lane said. “Others were sort of getting terrified about the college experience ending and making it in the career world. These huge differences in readiness stood out to me.”

Lane views his dissertation as a first step to compiling research on the topic of transitions for young adults. Next, he plans on examining why relationships play such a key role in handling transitions and what counseling methods can be taken to help.

For any incoming freshmen worrying about their first college exams, new lifestyle and surroundings can be extremely intimidating, but Lane has advice to help them cope.

“I would say don’t try to go through it alone,” Lane said. “I see a lot of folks get themselves into trouble because they think if they ask for help it’s a sign of weakness on their part. I think it’s the exact opposite. Being able to admit you need help is a sign of strength.”

For those of you who are worried about adapting into new social circles, think of the advice given by Kelsey Cumbow, art education major:

“Get your work done and don’t procrastinate,” Cumbow said. “Homework needs to come before play.”

Contact Staff Reporter Kailee Mathias at kmmathia@oakland.edu.