Free screening tool
Occupations in Higher Education Transitions Inventory
A brief, theoretically grounded screener that helps college students reflect on daily life — not just academics — and identifies where they may need support to thrive.
What it measures
Ten areas of daily occupation
The OHETI assesses the occupations that research shows are most important for student wellbeing and success during the transition into and through higher education.
Sleep
Nutrition & eating
Physical activity
Leisure
Academics
Work & volunteer
Caregiving
Social participation
Managing health needs
Spirituality
Framework
Built on relative mastery
Within each domain, items assess three dimensions drawn from the Theory of Occupational Adaptation (Schkade & Schultz, 1992).
Effectiveness
Feeling on top of things
Is the student accomplishing what they need and want to do in this area?
Efficiency
Getting stuff done
Are they able to do so without excessive effort, time, or resources?
Satisfaction
Liking what they’re doing
Do they feel good about their engagement and sense of control?
Scoring
Simple, threshold-based results
Each domain is scored on a scale of 0–100. A score of 70 or above indicates adequate occupational adaptation. Below 70 suggests the student may benefit from support in that area.
70–100
Adequate adaptation — strengths-based feedback provided
Below 70
Potential area of concern — practical tips and resources provided
How it works
Simple for students, informative for everyone
1
Share the link. Instructors share the OHETI link with students via email or a course management system. No accounts or setup required.
2
Students complete the tool. Takes 5–20 minutes on any device. Conditional branching means students only answer detailed questions in domains where a screening question flags a potential concern.
3
Instant personalized report. Students receive a feedback report to their email with scores across all ten domains and practical tips for areas below the threshold.
4
Optional: institutional data. Administrators and instructors can request aggregate cohort data or flagged individual results. Contact Karen Keptner to discuss options.
Common questions
FAQ
Is there a cost?
The OHETI is free for students, instructors, and administrators for basic use. Institutional data arrangements may involve a fee — contact Karen to discuss.
Who sees the results?
By default, only the student receives their results via email. Instructors and administrators can request access to aggregate or individual data with appropriate student consent in place.
How often should students take it?
Once per academic year is recommended, ideally at the start of a semester for timely identification of student needs.
Who is it designed for?
The OHETI has been validated for use with undergraduate students in US higher education. A graduate version is currently in development.
Is this a diagnostic tool?
No. The OHETI is a screener designed to prompt reflection and surface areas where students may benefit from support. It is not a clinical diagnostic instrument.
Is my data private?
Yes. The tool is hosted on a HIPAA-compliant platform. Only the student receives their individual report. No data is shared with instructors or institutions without explicit student consent.
Contact
Get in touch
For institutional access, aggregate data arrangements, or any questions about the OHETI.