Why are you here ?
I have students at times that dont really seem to fit the mold of the proffession they are training for . they seem very out of place with no dirrection . its very difficuilt to motivate them
Hi Susan,
These kinds of students are a real challenge and I feel sorry for the student involved. Are there ways of helping her have success in small ways so she can see she can be successful and create a vision for her future?
Gary
I have run into a few students like that in my courses. I am currently dealing with one now, she says she is only in school because mom and dad are making her go. She comes off as completly unmotivated. In reality,I believe it is her fear of failure that keeps her from putting in the effort she will need to expend in order for her to succeed. It only looks like lack of motivation on the surface.
Hi Tony,
Great combination of information about why you can be successful if you complete this training. I have found that students need to hear these stories from a number of different sources before the message really soaks in. You are doing that with all the resources you use.
Gary
I would add that by pointing out the relevancy of the subject matter helps to promote the overall objectives of the course. I have used various resources to acheive this. Personal expierences, having access to industry data reports,inviting a representative from a particular segment of that area to speak to students one on one,to name a few. When we come to understand the true nature for the decision that lead them to your program, you can better integrate the course objectives to their personal goals.
Hi Jamie,
You make a very good point about trying to get students to see relevancy to what you are teaching. Sometimes we have to connect the dots for students as they are moving through their training.
Gary
I have found that at times it isn't that they don't want to be in the class as much as it is that they are having a hard time finding relavence in the material being covered. I try and help the students not only learn the material before them but understand how it fits into the much larger picture. Sometimes we focus so much on the detail we forget that they don't know what the picture looks like that we are building for them.
Hi Shaun,
Students need to see how what they are studying is relevant to their career goals. You are doing a good job of making that happen.
Gary
Sometimes I see the same thing. I always try to show them how it relates to what their here for and it tends to help the situation.
I often though the same thing when I was in training at MMI, now I see as a challenge.
Hi Daniel,
This problem is more common than you would think based upon the cost of going to school and the fact that the students have selected for one reason or another to enroll in the program. My experience has been to try and draw them into the subject matter through interest and activities. Sometimes when they see what they are learning and how they can create a future for themselves they will get engaged. For others some serious counseling is needed to help them make informed, meaningful and realistic career choices. They need to be in another program and the student services office can help them with that choice. As a result there will be a better career fit for them.
Gary
