We have a program at our school called "Ambassadors" which is made up of higher level students who meet criteria set by the school. These ambassadors are a chosen few who help out at school events and assist with new student orientation. They also visit new students during the first week of their first class in the school to assist with any questions the new students may have.
Our orientation is presented by the dean, director of career services and the program director.
As the program director, I discuss expectations of the program, what they will need to be prepared the first day of school.
I think I need to change this around a little bit. I need to bring in the instructors so the students are aware of who they are.
Cory,
Excellent! As you point out, many have the same fears so having them talk about them together is very effective and makes them feel less isolated.
Susan Backofen
Lise,
This sounds like a wonderful first day. I really like that you physically take them to your office.
Susan Backofen
One of the first things we do at the beginning of orientation is a "meet and greet". This is two-fold;1)introduce faculty and their roles and 2)go around the room having the new students introduce themselves and why they chose to enroll. I have discovered the latter is a very effective way to address some of the common fears "new" students have. Typically, they have the same reasons why they have enrollled, whether its to change careers, make a better life for them and/or their families, etc. This has been an effective tool to put that anxiety at ease because they see they are not alone. That others are in the same boat so to speak. This is followed by reaffirming that others have done this (currently using success stories)and so can you.
On Orientation Day, I meet with all my new students and give them a little information about myself. I also hand out one of my business cards so if the student has any issues, they can call me or email me. I also take them by my office to show them where it is and invite them to stop by anytime to chat. On the first day of class, I ask them to write an short autobiography so that I can learn alittle more about them. We usually use some type of "game" to alleviate their fears and get them introduced to the other students.
By giving stories about the first day on the job I had and making light of it.
Sue,
I really like that you have different scrubs for them to make them easily identifable and the recognition at graduation is wonderful!
Susan Backofen
The student ambassador must apply for the position. The are selected by their attendance,
GPA and an essay they write. They do receive training and we have meetings for our student ambassador every two weeks. We order different colored scrubs for them to wear so they are easily identifiable by the other students and staff. They are also recognized at graduation.
Bill,
Keeping them focused on their goals and motiviations for entering the career is an excellent way to make them comfortable and increase retention. Great job!
Susan Backofen
Sue,
Student amassadors can be highly effective. How do you choose these individuals and do they get any training and recognition for their work as an ambassador?
Susan Backofen
Jennifer,
This sounds wonderful! I really like that you give them so much detail prior to the start of class. It does, as you pointi out, take away a great deal of fear around not knowing where to go, etc.
Susan Backofen
Candis,
I love that you break in to groups by major and allow students to begin bonding with each other right away. This also lets them become familiar with the expectations and opportunities specific to their career.
Susan Backofen
Diana,
Excellent way to present networking and support!
Susan Backofen
Laura,
Excellent! Does your two-week orientation require them to sign in every day or ???
Susan Backofen
Robert,
Using other students is always an excellent strategy. They have a great deal of credibility with other students.
Susan Backofen
I think it is important to acknowledge that the decision to go back to school is one that is often difficult and that fear is a valid response to taking such a leap. By ackowledging that it is okay to be afraid, and that the person next to them is likely also afraid, a process of bonding between students can begin. Since we are a massage school, I also like to point out that everyone is here because they ultimately want to help people - including each other. This helps put the fear in perspective and reminds students why they have come to us in the first place.
Our college has student ambassadors who attend orientation and help facilitate the students to and from orientation, to and from the bookroom, etc. Usually one of the ambassadors will speak in orientation and explain how they felt when they first started and how everyone in the school has the same goal....for the student to be successful. The ambassador will explain that they are selected by the college to help the students and answer questions, and if unable to answer a question, give the new student the information they need to go to the person who can answer the question.
In our orientation we not only meet and greet every student before they start their program but we give specific expectations in the orientation. They get a schedule they are shown to their classroom. They know exactly when, where, and who they will be meeting. They know what they should wear, what they need to bring and we are available for questions in person, on the phone, and through email. This takes a lot of fear away from the students before even entering the classroom for the first day. We have already built rapport and they are fully aware of what will go on day one. I personally spend 10 minutes at the beginning of the first class to let the students meet each other and usually find a common interest due to them being enrolled in the same program.
We discuss and try to cover just about everything that we can on orientation day to make our students feel at ease. We break up into major groups and discuss the issues that directly relate to that specific major and the school as a whole
