How much is too much?
I have seen some students get so involved with outside events (out side the class room)that they have a hard time in the class room and there grades start to fall. So I recomend to them to put there studies first then there job,then see how much time they have left for the other. What is a good rule on this? How do they know how much???What advice should the teacher give???
I see alot of personal desire to do well in these types of students also.
I have found in my study and practice that in any field and whatever the goal, If the individual wants it bad enough,(their goal) he/she will make it happen. If an individual is going to school to change their lives then that individual has to change all aspects of thier lives to achieve that goal. Employment is simply a means to fund that change. I remember when I was a student and working for gas money, I encountered some employers that did not support my goals. In wich case I had to either change employment or make my employer understand that my role their was short term and I was working to better my life. Finding employment in my same field of study helped me appericiate what I was working for but I never let anything get in my way. Anyone can trip over a rock if you take no actions to avoid it.
I advise students in my class to concentrate on their studies first and foremost. Our program is less than 15 months long, yet it prepares them for their life's career. I explain that a little hard work now will provide for a lot easier living later in life.
I believe that all of us have seen this issue...unfortunately society seems to focus on the here and now, rather than anything in the future and our students seem to follow suit. We just need to remind them that school does not last forever, and the benefits of doing well in class far outweigh the short term effect of trying to put in too many hours at work while still attending school.
Focus on your goals thats what we tell them . It's only gonna be a little while longer then you can get back to living normal. For some the school life suits them just fine. They seem to function better on a few hours sleep ,living on coffee and roma noodles.Focus on the end results,think of your future,keep your head up, and keep smiling.Those all work well for me.
I find that is the most common reason for student to bad in class
I have seen this in many students. They are driving new vehicles, eating out or from the food truck that comes by and living at a level that would be tough for someone working full time with no school or other demands on their life. I think that school should be the #1 priority and then work and play. They are trying to change their life by returning to school, so maybe some other changes are in order as well.
Our school has an Honor Society and a Medical Association. Both organizations require steady attendance and a high GPA. Any deviations from this and the student will possibly be on probation for a term and have to work harder to be reinstated. At graduation they wear the Honor Society/Medical Association sashes with pride. Quite a few of our students wear both. There have been occasions where a student will become too involved with a society and the schoolwork falls by the wayside but our sponsors keep a close tab on the students.
Do you have any thoughts about a remedy to this situation, David?
Some students work such long hours they are too tired to do well in class.
One of the things that seems to help keep the stusents focused is not only upper classmen but graduates that are willing to return to the and share their experiences with the newer students.
Thanks Steve, I like your answer to that. I will (with your permission) use that in the future should the need arise.
The most i can do Tim is to keep them looking at thier long term goals... and tell them that if anything is getting in the way of that ...it is too much....
I have also seen this and we want them to (ofcourse focus on school) but sometimes that is easier said then done.Many have some very busy lifes and the need to balance this schedule is also part of the learning experience
What did he decide? Any idea what led him to enroll to begin with?
I have seen this too. One student complained that he had to work so much over time that he didn't have time to study .He owed on a brand new truck ,ate out every meal and lived alone in a nice apartment. "this is the life style I choose " he said .After talking we desided that he was going to school to start a career in which he would enjoy working in instead of working in construction which he hated yet the money had supplied this type of life style for many years.He had a choice, comprimise now for a short time with a room mate that cooked and a used vehicle ,complete school and then he could buy another new truck and live alone. Or quit school go back to the same work and keep his standard of living .
Unmentioned is their social life. Balancing these often conflicting demands for time is one of the most important lessons students can learn. Unfortunately, the ratio seems to be different for each person and many have to find the balance point by trial and error.
Upperclassmen may be a useful resource to speak to incoming students, providing insight from their experience.
They do need to put school first and job second. It would be great if they did not have to work.
Good points,the student needs to know the value of his or her activities in and out of class. The NO.1 goal being the deciding factor on where these activities rank in meeting that goal. Such as spending late nights out may not be suitable for an early morning class show time,and being alert during the class.
