A Concept Mapping Study on the Challenges of University Life Adjustment for Military Discharged Students

This study aimed to investigate the difficulties faced by returning students in adjusting to university life after military discharge using the concept map methodology. The research analyzed the factors, dimensions, clusters, and levels of empathy related to the challenges these students encounter in their post-discharge university life adjustment. Eight college students discharged from their mandatory military service were selected for the study. 72 final statements were derived and classified. SPSS 27.0 was used for multidimensional scaling and hierarchical cluster analysis. As a result of the study, the factors for the difficulty of adaptation to college life were classified into two dimensions and five clusters: X axis (relationship, contextual - achievement) and Y axis(emotional - perception ). In addition, cluster 1(lack of intimate relationship), cluster 2(stress due to academic gap), cluster 3(unformed group), cluster 4(social marginalization), and cluster 5(impatience with employment and career decision). Finally, the implications and limitations were discussed.