Any transitional period in life can be challenging. Few are as tricky as the transition from active duty military service to a college student. This particular transition can be taxing physically, emotionally, and most of all, mentally. Rarely, after fully developing into adulthood, would anyone be thrust back into a space filled with individuals who have just begun that maturation process. However, this is precisely what this transition entails and, thus, is a unique transitional period in its own right. After having spent 5.5 years on active duty myself, I know of the stresses this transition causes more than most. From that experience, I have been able to construct a list of things to think about and consider that have been useful for myself and my veteran peers. While this is by no means an exhaustive list, and this is just the perspective of one student veteran, this list will be able to guide you if you are a student and provide much-needed insight on those stresses to those who are faculty and staff.

1. Become Familiar with Your Environment: As all good military-trained individuals would, you need first to gain your bearings in your new environment. Unless located in a place of which you are already familiar, you will need to explore the campus and the surrounding town. You are now a member of the college community and the greater town community. In order for you to fully immerse yourself, you will need to have a firm understanding of where everything is. Give special consideration to the different resource offices on campus; they are crucial to your success throughout your stay.

For Faculty and Staff: Encourage your student veterans to get a sense of the community by being an accessible resource for them when needed. Having faculty and staff encourage integration into the community might seem to make little difference, but it is often the little things that truly make a difference.

2. Your identity is an Advantage: For better or worse, your identity as a veteran will be central to your time in college. It is important to remember that you are coming into a space predicated on the idea of free flow of information. Thus, you may find those who disagree with your views and your affiliation with the military -- that is ok! When engaging, be direct (especially with professors) when speaking about your experiences and how that has helped shape your understanding of the world. This does not suggest you change who you are; quite the opposite. Be confident that you bring a fresh perspective and set of experiences that almost no one else will have. Using that to your advantage will not only allow you to enlighten your new peers but will also allow you to grow intellectually as well.

For Faculty and Staff: There are many aspects of a veteran's experience that they might be uncomfortable initially sharing. The best approach would be to allow them to speak about their experience when ready. I found it easier to open up after a few one-on-one conversations outside of class. Additionally, it is important that you do not expose this identity in public without the veteran having done so already. Every veteran carries their identity differently and thus should feel free to embrace, or distance themselves from, their identity as they see fit.

3. Find Your "People": Finding a community of like-minded people is incredibly significant for your transition. This transition can feel like quite a lonely time and finding people who are also veterans, or like-minded in other ways, makes this time much easier to handle. The best way to find these people is by joining different clubs and affinity groups (if your school has them) and attending meetings regularly. Remember, you are new here and will need to go outside of your comfort zone to make the necessary connections to succeed while there. Additionally, these like-minded individuals you meet can also be great resources for opportunities to further your career goals once you leave college. Be sure to take advantage of them while you have the time.

For Faculty and Staff: As a permanent member of the college community, faculty and staff usually have more insight into the clubs and groups on campus. As I arrived on campus, several professors and staff members encouraged me to meet with several different clubs -- clubs I am still a member of to this day. Although it might feel redundant at times, consistent urging can be a positive thing as the new student veteran becomes more familiar with the campus.

4. Lost in Translation: As a student veteran, your vocabulary is one of the most obvious things you will need to adjust. As we all know, the military has its own distinct language and verbiage we use for many different reasons. However, many are wildly inappropriate for the collegiate environment, and some refining will be required. As soon as possible, get used to shifting away from frequently used terminology such as "barracks" or "chow hall." While these are certainly not harmful, I found that shifting my frequently used vocabulary allowed me to quickly move away from the military jargon more generally. That being said, there are certain instances (usually while among other veterans) where the vocabulary might slip or be useful for humor -- that is perfectly fine. More than anything, it is essential to know and be aware of your audience. If other veterans surround you, feel free to let the military jargon flow. That audience knows how to understand what you are trying to convey. If around non-military affiliated students, it is best to keep the jargon to a minimum.

For Faculty and Staff: There are few instances where a veteran might use jargon that a faculty or staff member may need to translate. In one instance, after I had explained to the class that I was a veteran, I was asked to explain the military structure (company, battalion, regiment, etc.) for instructional purposes. Outside of that, I can't imagine jargon being used in a classroom environment. However, if one does come up, a student veteran should have no problem explaining it to whomever asked.

5. Isolation is Not Your Friend: You might find it easier to isolate yourself and go to and from home without much change. In some ways, I agree, this can be easier. However, it is easy for this to slip into an unhealthy environment for yourself. Being alone in a new environment is never the best way to handle the change. It can cause you to indulge in other ways that are more harmful than they are helpful. Instead, become immersed in your new surroundings and use every opportunity to be involved. No one makes it through the military or college alone.

For Faculty and Staff: During the peak of the pandemic, isolation became a part of everyone's reality. At Amherst College, many student veterans designate the college as their home of residence and thus, stay on campus during the scheduled breaks. I have been lucky enough to have faculty and staff willing to go for walks or meet for coffee during these times to prevent an increased level of isolation. If that seems a bit too hands on, a simple email could also do the trick. More than anything, if you feel someone is isolating themselves, reaching out in some way is always beneficial.

6. Age is Just a Number: Do not consider your age a limiting factor in your ability to integrate into campus life. At first, it might feel a bit awkward to be significantly older than your new peers. I have found that although we might be hyper-aware of it, most of the other students don't care. Please don't focus on it too much; it is genuinely not a big deal. In more ways than not, my age has been advantageous during my time as an undergrad. It has allowed me to become a mentor to many younger students and create strong bonds with professors that I do not believe would have been possible if I were younger. Being a college community member does not have an age requirement; do not create one for yourself.

For Faculty and Staff: This is incredibly important to remember. While student veterans are certainly students, they have legitimate world experience and could be frustrated if treated like their younger peers. Remember that the age of your students varies and respect variabilities in age by engaging with them differently than you would a younger student. Some of the best relationships I have are with professors, and I have no doubt it is because of my age and life experience. Student veterans might also be closer in age to you than their classmates -- it is important to treat them as such.

While this list is what I have found helpful, you might find other things worthwhile as well. Add valuable tips to this list and pass it along to your veteran peers. If you are faculty or staff, please pass this along to a colleague so they can read it as well. The most beneficial tool we have is each other -- our veteran community and allies on campus. It is incumbent on us to help each other through our next chapter, and together we can do just that.

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