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Envisioning My Best Future Self: Integrating Positive Psychology and Prospection in Student Affairs Practice

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Title: Envisioning My Best Future Self: Integrating Positive Psychology and Prospection in Student Affairs Practice
Language: English
Authors: Henry D. Mason (ORCID 0000-0002-3966-9970)
Source: Journal of Student Affairs in Africa. 2024 12(2):99-114.
Availability: University of Pretoria. Lynwood Avenue, Hatfield, Pretoria, 0002, Republic of South Africa. Tel: +27-12-420-4940; Fax: +27-12-420-4921; Web site: https://upjournals.up.ac.za/index.php/jsaa
Peer Reviewed: Y
Page Count: 16
Publication Date: 2024
Document Type: Journal Articles
Reports - Research
Education Level: Higher Education
Postsecondary Education
Descriptors: Foreign Countries, College Freshmen, Engineering Education, Well Being, Self Concept, Positive Attitudes, Student Satisfaction, Student Personnel Services, Student Personnel Workers, Goal Orientation, Student Educational Objectives, Employment Opportunities, Strategic Planning, Long Range Planning
Geographic Terms: South Africa
ISSN: 2307-6267
Abstract: Students' psychological well-being constitutes a critical issue that necessitates support and dedicated intervention from student affairs professionals. Positive psychology, focusing on future-oriented prospective thinking, offers valuable insights and methods relevant to student affairs. This article leverages the principles of positive psychology, particularly prospection, and reports a qualitative study that explored how 45 university students (26 females and 19 males; age range: 18-23) conceived of their best future selves. Phenomenological analysis revealed a dynamic interplay between students' optimistic visions of personal and professional success, and the pressing need for practical strategies to realise these aspirations. By integrating and leveraging positive psychology, particularly prospection-focused methodologies, practitioners can support students in envisioning their futures more clearly and translating ambitious visions into tangible outcomes, thereby fostering individual and collective growth.
Abstractor: As Provided
Entry Date: 2025
Accession Number: EJ1457620
Database: ERIC
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="SO" term="%22Journal+of+Student+Affairs+in+Africa%22"><i>Journal of Student Affairs in Africa</i></searchLink>. 2024 12(2):99-114.
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  Data: University of Pretoria. Lynwood Avenue, Hatfield, Pretoria, 0002, Republic of South Africa. Tel: +27-12-420-4940; Fax: +27-12-420-4921; Web site: https://upjournals.up.ac.za/index.php/jsaa
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  Data: Students' psychological well-being constitutes a critical issue that necessitates support and dedicated intervention from student affairs professionals. Positive psychology, focusing on future-oriented prospective thinking, offers valuable insights and methods relevant to student affairs. This article leverages the principles of positive psychology, particularly prospection, and reports a qualitative study that explored how 45 university students (26 females and 19 males; age range: 18-23) conceived of their best future selves. Phenomenological analysis revealed a dynamic interplay between students' optimistic visions of personal and professional success, and the pressing need for practical strategies to realise these aspirations. By integrating and leveraging positive psychology, particularly prospection-focused methodologies, practitioners can support students in envisioning their futures more clearly and translating ambitious visions into tangible outcomes, thereby fostering individual and collective growth.
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      – Text: English
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        PageCount: 16
        StartPage: 99
    Subjects:
      – SubjectFull: Foreign Countries
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: College Freshmen
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Engineering Education
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Well Being
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      – SubjectFull: Self Concept
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      – SubjectFull: Positive Attitudes
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Student Satisfaction
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Student Personnel Services
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Student Personnel Workers
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      – SubjectFull: Goal Orientation
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      – SubjectFull: Student Educational Objectives
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      – SubjectFull: Employment Opportunities
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      – SubjectFull: Strategic Planning
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      – SubjectFull: Long Range Planning
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      – SubjectFull: South Africa
        Type: general
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      – TitleFull: Envisioning My Best Future Self: Integrating Positive Psychology and Prospection in Student Affairs Practice
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