Hi Mr. Meers,
Some of the ways in helping the students are to build up thier self confidence, offer tutoring, and/or show them their accomplishments.
Show an interest in their work experience in other fields. Emphasize that this is an asset that younger students might not have.
Upon application submit a packet that is reflective of their chosen career field and demonstrates a example of the course content so they can relate and study it before they encounter the classroom social setting. This can allow them to be familiar with the curriculum and familiarity brings confidence. a posting of the number of adult learners enrolled may help with the feeling of being out of place. Design a related course objective early in the beginning of the course that favors those with some real world experience.
I feel that understanding your students is important.One I understood, findthe appropiate
way to handle each student needs then giving the support.
Leslie,
The human factor in teaching is critical and you are providing that with this approach. Good way to engage and support your students.
Gary
Dr. Gary Meers
Encouraging them to see their own value is a good way for them to start to lessen the fear. I try to identify who may be fearful based on their actions and/or what they say, and then I have them remember how far they've come. I have them apply those feelings of accomplishment to their current situation. If they got through that then can get through this. I try to help them see that they are resilient and persistent. I try to have them focus on their goal.
Michael,
This is such a powerful part of getting a class off to a good start. Getting them settled in and comfortable helps to create a supportive environment that has them focused on learning and engaged with the content.
Gary
Dr. Gary Meers
Miriam,
This is very important because they can become discouraged and bogged down with the pressures of life that are external to the classroom. They need to be reminded of where they are going with their education and the future that awaits them if they are willing to put forth the effort.
Gary
Dr. Gary Meers
The first thing that I do to help students overcome their fears is making them feel comfortable and welcomed in the classroom/ learning environment. The faster that they can get into a personal "comfort zone" the sooner and easier it is for them to focus on class and lab instruction and get involved. This is not the same process for all students, so learning about each individual really helps me to help them overcome the initial fears they might have.
Give examples and provide office hours. Speak and work with students one on one. Encourage and point out their motivation and goals. Explain that hard work does pay off.
Encourage them and remind them of their motivation and why they are at school. If you keep bringing the goal to the student they will hopefully accept that it will be a difficult road but worth it once their goal is reached.
Tammy,
I support your effort. The more real world experiences and examples you can share with your students the more application and relevancy they will be able to see in the content you are sharing.
Gary
Dr. Gary Meers
Daniel,
You are portraying and living the "human factor" of being educator. This accounts for student engagement and comfort which is essential if students are to stay in school and be successful.
Gary
Dr. Gary Meers
Jessica,
Way to go in focusing on the student as a person. This way they know you value their contributions and what to help them have success.
Gary
Dr. Gary Meers
By telling them that they are great
Some ways to help students to overcome their fear of not being successful in their college work are by creating an environment that allows the students to participate and apply experiences they acquired in life to the class. The objectives and what the student hope to get out of the class must be incorporated in the leaning objectives.
I teach Diagnostic Medical sonography and I believe that giving real life examples of the profession is very important for helping the students realize that no matter how fearful they may be about the college work, hospital "life" will be very exciting and rewarding.
I believe that there are many methods that various teachers have that help students overcome their fear of not being successful in college. I personally try my best to be as supportive and nurturing as possible. A few kind words of encouragement, a "pat on the back" once in a while, and a litle pep talk for some students goes a looooong way. I also make it well known to my students that I am available, and my door is always open. I tell my students that I am there to help and assist in any way that I possibly can. It is absolutely amazing how much that boost of confidence does to quell students' fears of college.
I help them overcome their fears by first trying to really find out where the source of fear is coming from so we can overcome that first. I then instill confidence in them that I am there for them and let them know how much I care about them and believe in their success. I demonstrate my own succession the field also, which installs a certain amount of confidence in them. I then have them draw or write out a mission statement and keep in personal, visible space to reinforce their goals daily. I do everything I can to make them comfortable and let them know I care.
Find out what their objective and desires are, help them to be confidnet in what they are trying to acheive,
