I think orientation should be the final lap of a students' path to beginning their training. All expectations need to be clearly communicated up front so that a potential student has no doubts as to what they are getting in to and what will be expected of them. Maybe a pre-orientation before the student ever sets foot on the campus? I believe this would result in a better student experience as well as improving the learning environment of the school. I also wonder what type of effect this would have on the number of students following through to enrollment? (I fear the upgraded orientation and improved student experience would come at the cost of an unknown drop in enrollment, at least until the higher standards of the school become known)
The one thing I would like to see at our campus in orientation is the subject of 'learning how to learn'. I believe this would be an asset to their student experience and improve on their success.
Our current orientation is very informative, and all staff is involved.
I think it would be nice to have greater envolvement from current students and alumni. Maybe having current, successful students share their story or success tips would generate a little more interaction rather than them hearing it from the school alone.
I agree that student involvement is key to retention and overall academic success, and more could be done during orientation to promote our student groups. Not only is this important during orientation, but involvement is also something we should promote throughout a student's career.
We have an orientation program that has recently gone through some changes. Our previous orientation had faculty and staff in front of a classroom talking ‘to’ our new students. We now use our entire building to work ‘with’ our new students. We have made it a fun and educational experience. I do think that we could improve how we transition people to their new life of being a student. I really liked the idea of listing things that a student needs to be successful, putting the emphasis on creating the right space and environment to study will increase students’ preparedness which in turn increases retention. I also think that creating the opportunity for mentoring is a great idea.
I believe there is always room for improvement with the orientation process. Our current orientation program is very well organized and it gets the students moving about the building while learning more about the school. A great thing that we incorporate is introducing students to the organizations that they can get involved with, but I don't think the prospective students take it as serious as they should. I think we will need to brainstorm on how to get students involved, as I believe the more students are involved within the school - the longer we can retain them!
Important for all to interact. Do all you can to build relationship early in the process. A relationship equates to trust and trust usually improves retention.
Dr. B
We do have a orientation but personally I think it can be improved. The teachers and program diretors do not really get to interact with the students during orientation other than saying hello and introducing themselves.
But I make up for it. I have a mini orientation on day 4 with the new students. I set up mentors immediately when I see a student needing the guidance and assistance. We have designated Wednesday as our open lab day for tutoring and mentoring and it works out nicely. Those students who need the help stay after class and get help with what they need.
We are an Online Program. We offer number of different Orientation recourses in different ways.
Such as a
• “Student Training Room†that serves as a one-stop shop for student resources (forms, contact numbers)
• Live Orientation were out learning platform is demonstrated
• A self-paced inactive orientation with check points.
Base on student enrollment being rather high, at the current point I feel that orientation process at the school I am associate with is very through from the initial tour of the school facility, classroom locations, course explaination, resource library, and the multi levels of student support services. The fore mention items are covered doing orientation. Those first two days of a new class start additional orientation is covered titled "KEYS TO SUCCESS".
Suggest that you are doing just fine. Be sure to weave career services and link to careers by explaining the "why" or "WIFM."
Dr. B
I would have to say that our campus has one of the most comprehensive orientation programs that I have experienced. A great deal of though an organization has gone into our orientation. By covering the expectations, both the students and the schools, the students are better prepared for what is to come. Our orientation covers all aspects of the the students life while in school. Housing, financial aid, academic expectations, money management, and finding employment are all covered in our program. The only way I could see to improve the program would be to lengthen it thereby providing more time to cover each of the necessary topics. Unfortunately extending the orientation would be impractical to the rest of the student experience.
We do a pretty good job of introducing faculty and staff at orientation and discussing what classes will be like--but I am seeing that we really do not ever address the "real life" expections for students. We need to incorporate more information for the student on actually preparing their lives for this big change--I plan to request that we order some type of calendar/organizational tool that we can hand out at orientation.
I love your statement, avoid focusing on rules. Instead, focus on what it takes to be successful their new found career.
Dr. B
Good. Always try to link program objectives to employability. Linking to career themes helps retention.
Dr. B
A strong orientation should begin with the students. It is important to try and understand what motivate the student into registering into the program. Rather than focusing on the rules and policies of the organization the time should be best spent on the questions like' is this program best addressed the student's intrest.It is possible that the student could be in the wrong program.
Orientation should begin with what is offered by the program, and the achievements the students can accomplished at the end of the program. It is very important to explain to the students what is expected of each students and the best methods to utilized in achieving it.
We are an online school and so I think each program should have an online orientation that goes with the student through out the program. This can discuss all the areas that the students have concerns and questions. This can be monitored by the admissions, student services, career services, and the program to help the students through out the WHOLE program not just at the beginning.
The orientation program at my school is doing very well. The expectations of the school are clearly outlined, and everything is put into a booklet for the students future reference. The only thing I can see that might benefit the program, is a mini re-orientation at some point in the student's course.
