Author ORCID Identifier

https://orcid.org/0009-0001-1196-4249

Semester

Spring

Date of Graduation

2026

Document Type

Problem/Project Report

Degree Type

OTD

College

School of Medicine

Department

Occupational Therapy

Committee Chair

SueAnn Woods

Committee Co-Chair

Lesley Cook

Committee Member

Kayleigh Nolan

Abstract

The transition period between high school and post-graduation life can be a challenging time for many students. Young adults may follow different paths, including going into the workforce or attending post-secondary education, as well as learning how to navigate life skills such as paying bills, buying a house or a car, applying for jobs, obtaining insurance, and occupations within the adult life stage. While young adults may learn about these things throughout their high school career, it is likely that the feelings of unpreparedness are continuously relevant. The purpose of this DCE is to develop and implement learning modules for high school juniors and seniors in order to better prepare them for the transition to life after high school. The PEOP and MOHO models can help guide and promote further self-exploration while evaluating the supports and barriers that students may face to create interventions to make the transition process as easy as possible for all students. Five learning modules were completed with 11th and 12th grade students at PCHS, focused on various topics related to life skills to promote ease with the upcoming transition period after high school. The results revealed that participants felt the learning modules helped significantly through analysis of overall averages, frequency distribution, the Wilcoxon signed-rant test, and thematic analysis for qualitative data. The implementation of the five learning modules demonstrated that participants at Pendleton County High School significantly benefited from additional education in life skills and transition planning. The overall growth that was displayed by participants in both quantitative and qualitative values emphasizes the overall need for continued implementation of these topics.

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