Class of 2015,
As I look out my window and notice the
seasons changing I realize there are many things both at Trinity as well as the
rest of the world which are also in a state of change. From Ebola, ISIS, and control of Congress to
the upcoming renovations in North Hall it seems like nothing in our world is
static anymore. The Trinity campus
itself has changed radically since I was a student (and I always have to remind
myself where Miller Fountain is today).
H.P. Lovecraft, an American author in
the early 1900’s, wrote “The oldest and strongest emotion of mankind is fear,
and the oldest and strongest kind of fear is fear of the unknown.” As you start preparing for your last semester
of your senior year and start focusing on life after Trinity things can get
overwhelming. Richard Lazarus and Susan
Folkman created the “Transactional Model” which can help take the emotion out
of change due to the objective approach the model takes. At a high level it breaks down the analysis
of change into three parts:
1.
Primary appraisal - Assessing
the risk and opportunities that are introduced with the change
2.
Secondary appraisal - Plan on how
to adapt to and if warranted, support the change
3.
Coping efforts - Take
control on how you respond to the situation and change when it occurs.
Thinking about change from this
perspective can prepare you to respond to the different elements that change
can bring. And remember, change in many
cases is a positive thing. Sometimes it
is all about attitude!
Enjoy your holiday break and start
preparing for your final semester.
Exciting times lie ahead!
Jennifer Dewar
Alumni Sponsor
