The Value Equation
Consider the value equation (retention = perceived value/cost). Other than tuition, what are the 3 most common costs that your students say they have? What perceived values do you help them understand that helps them to offset those costs?
Being the first time away from home students have fears about fitting in with other students and the school. Whats it is going to cost while away from home? How to manage their money? As a staff member, our job should entail helping them overcome these fears. Give them advice in managing their money when asked...This can be done by telling them where to shop, taking in a roomate to help cut the cost etc.
Helping them with car problems when they need advice, where to buy parts at a lower cost.
As staff members we all have had years of practice, we can all pass a little of this practice on to our students. This may help them want to stay in school, rather than want to leave or miss days. i work with and talk to students all day long. I know what these students are going through. it does not hurt to give a little, and in the end, you are rewarded for your help and kindness.
Bill Lachman
Aaron--
Excellent point. This is exactly why students often drop out. It IS hard to balance all these things. Reminding them that the challenges now will pay off long term is important.
Susan
By far the most common costs I hear regarding school have to do with time. Students regularly lament that they aren't getting enough hours at work, that they don't spend enough time with their children, and that they don't see their significant others - all due to the time that they put in at school.
I remind them the Socratic conception of happiness includes pain and hard work. I then remind them that it is all worthwhile because they are learning valuable skills that will help carry them through life and impact their family in a very positive way. It may be hard now, but life will be harder without proper schooling.
Three things that come to mind would be transportion. Fuel costs and reliabilty, food,and their housing.
Jason--
You are right on all fronts. It is the little things...the basics...that can be most stressful: food, clothes, shelter. If they have enough of these issues that are dragging them down, it gets increasingly difficult for them to focus on school and the benefits completing their program will bring.
Susan
That tends to vary depending on the student. Obviously housing is a big issue, but for many of the students that seems to be in the back of their minds. I find that things like car payments, phone bills, and car repairs tend to be the foremost in their minds. they also tend to focus more intently with their "lack" of funds as it relates to food, housing and so on. It always seems to be the little things that tend to build and weigh heavy on their minds.
I try to keep the students focused on their ultimate goals of becoming technicians, and I try to help them to avoid getting mired down in things that can side track them from achieving the ultimate goal.
Peter--
You certain have a great opportunity to help them transition from school to the 'real world'. Good for you for giving them this advice and helping them stay the course to graduation!
Susan
As with most others,the basic costs of living are high up there.I usually am at the tail end of the students programs,so they are ready for a big change.They already have soldiered on and figured out the budget(mostly),but now moving expenses, finalizing the leases, and getting started in their careers seem to be the main focus.Again,counsel them to keep their eyes on the prize at the end.
Ricky--
You bring up a very good point. In addition to helping them focus on the outcome of finishing, often times it is a great practice to also remind them of the consequences of not finishing.
Susan
The value equation that they have to consider is that what would be the total outcome of they choose to drop or quit. Sometimes its not an option because of money, time, or commitment. Like I try to tell them that failure should not be an option. you come to school for one thing, knowledge and the experience to be a good technicain. The goal should be try to obtain as much knowledge as possible to make your goal that much easier to obtain in life. Your carear is your life.
We have our student's attend a three part Sucess Track presentation during there time here at our school. Each session envoles two days of planned activities. The second session “Pit Stop†occurs about the third of the way through their schedule of classes. During this two day event the student is introduce to dealership operations, Flat Rate, and how business decisions that are made affect realistic circumstances in a simulated dealership environment. Professionalism is emphasized and the application of what they have learned so far at our campus is applied in the simulation.
In my course I like to use practical math problems to introduce my students to the importance of managing time and money in running a business. Even though we are talking about a business I like to use metaphors of every day life activities to get the point across. My students can relate to food, vehicle expenses, time for study and time for play. Some students actually get the point while others may not.
Money and roommate problems are always at the top of the list going to school and working full time is a pretty tough deal. Add to that the stress of a tense living arrangement, not enough money to get by, and you have a pretty tough up hill battle, this is why it is so important that we keep reminding our students how valuable an education will be to them in the end
Michael--
You make many very important points. Does your institution have any structured ways to give them some of these skills (e.g. managing time and money)?
Susan
Attending college or a post secondary school traditionally marks the point in life where the student begins to be responsible for themselves, including their finances. Some students have parents to fall back on in a financial pinch, but others have no such luxury.
A big part of campus survival is learning how to best manage the cash you have, how to find bargains, and how to earn a small income even while in school.
All the comments mention so far about what the students cost concerns have been right on. The order of priority will be different between adult students and students just out of high school but when instructors hear about their concerns they should encourage them and suggest where to get help.
Since we are a school that teaches men and women to find a career in the field of servicing cars and trucks we should be a source for finding solutions to their vehicle problems.
While attending school, students should practice basic money management and make an effort at saving money. When you understand the value of money, have had to earn it, you must learn to budget appropriately- it’s essential to your success. Your budget should cover the essentials, including paying any tuition bills and buying books and school supplies, purchasing food and necessities and any other bills you may have such as a car payment. If you have a job, you will want to assess how much of your income can and should be allotted for each major area of your life. If you are receiving funds from home use the money you are given in the same way you would as if you had earned it. Budgeting leads to a less stressful experience, period.
Avoid spending splurges, consider big buys seriously before you commit. It is tempting to buy that new iPod the moment it comes out or to dish out the bucks for a big dinner or a night on the town. However, if you find your entertainment outlay is exceeding your budget, rethink the indulgence. Sure, everyone splurges a little every once in awhile. That’s just life. But making a habit of spending irresponsibly will leave you broke with zero social life.
Food is the easiest way to spend money on and quickly. When you are at school all you want is caffeine to stay awake, but then later on in the afternoon you spot a snack you just have to try. Before you know it, you’ve spent a lot of cash on filler junk rather than real filling food. When you go out to buy groceries, make sure you bring a shopping list with you and stick to it. And you don’t have to eat just ramen noodles, either. Just plan ahead and shop responsibly. You should be able to eat good tasting food that isn’t expensive.
The major underlying problem that contributes to some of the students and their problems is what I call the Party Animal Syndrome. Finding the balance of a social life and academics is somewhat difficult for some student’s. The problem is too much of one destroys the other. The natural inclination, of course, is friends and pleasure. Drinking, staying up late, blowing off classes to the point where the student is too far behind to make up can lead to expulsion, rescinding of the parent money flow and/or a decision from the student themselves to discontinue school.
As instructor's we need to reinforce our student’s decision to come to class each day and they need to hear a positive response when they solve a problem or challenge.
Jeff--
Exactly right. Help them keep things in perspective. Also, I think it is helpful for them to understand that we all had challenges while going to school. Sometimes students think they are the only ones going through/have gone through these situations.
Susan
Of course basic things like rent, food, and transportation are always there, but at their stage in life, this is often their first time away from family and friends and it weighs heavily on them.
For many, this is also the first time in their life they had to hold steady employment just to get by, while being a full time student.
It’s hard for them to keep priorities straight, and we need to continually show them how much better it can be when they finish this education.
I am a graduate of this same school so I can empathize with them, but I also explain to them how when I look back to 22 years ago, how short the time I spent in school seems now, and all the benefits I received in life because of it.
James--
You have made an important point here. Current financial pressures make students make short-term decisions that effect their long-term goals. Keeping them focused on the benefit of completing their education (e.g. better financial situation) is important. It is difficult for them in the short-term, however, as they still need to put food on the table.
Susan
The three most common costs I hear from my classes are for housing, food, and transportation. To this end, a lot of students have placed their jobs ahead of school in terms of priority and it affects their attendance rate. What I do to help them understand how this education will offset those costs in the long run is to show them their earnings potential within a five year span of enrolling in school versus a technician in the field with no formal training, particularly advanced training such as is offered in an MSAT program. It makes a big difference when they actually see the numbers, and I have had quite a few students who were hesitant at first in signing up for advanced training actually make the commitment the very next day.
Lachlan--
Great example. This is one reason why we need to have admissions heavily involved in setting the correct expectation. After all, you don't walk in to McDonald's expecting the same food or service as the Ritz.
Susan
