Helping students cope
Where does the fear factor start creeping into academics..
I've witnessed students anxiety rise towards the end of their education fearing the transition from school to real world application of their skills
Good point, Lynda. What do you do to provide that extra support for your students?
That's probably been the case for each us at some time or another, Jessica. Are there any techniques that you use, and can share, with your students when you find yourself in that situation?
I think that students start to 2nd guess themselves within the 1st 2 weeks and through the 3rd course. I think its highly important that when dealing with retention, that the student feels the support from the campus throughout the 1st 3 courses in their program. It's all about transition and emotional rollercoaster that our students go through.
I think fear creeps in at the very beginning, they fear the unknown. Then they become more confident as they become successful in the program. And then the fear of starting a new profession and applying their education to real world.
Getting them involved in the career field through internships, or even simply volunteering or observing at a work site is another way to help them get comfortable with the next step.
For my students I've seen fear creep in during the beginning and end of a students academic career. I've had students who were in fear of their learning capabilities in the beginning. Toward the end the students are in fear of what they will do upon completing their degree. I try to encourage the students begin thinking about this prior to graduation so that the stress does not build at the end.
I agree, I believe most of the dropouts in the first week are due to seeing what is expected of them. Shock factors.
What do you do when you observe that behavior, Troy?
I think the fear factor creeps into academic once the student realizes the expectation and the homework within the first 10 days.
More information, please, Robert. I don't understand the question/statement.
