Making a Difference
For some students they are the only one in their family to go to college. As instructors, we need to make them feel important and let them know that we are here for them when they need us.
Maria Luisa,
What are the most common circumstances under which students need you to be there?
Jeffrey Schillinger
Positive feedbacks for their efforts always gives a boost. Being there in time need.
Jason,
Praise and pride in one's self is key.
Jeffrey Schillinger
Absolutely. Along with that, give praise and cultivate self-pride. They are taking a giant step by entering back into education and may not have backing by family members. This should be easy for us instructors to do.
Many of my students are first generation college students. It is important to give them a little extra encouragement to succeed. This is a situation when I use personal stories from my own family or circle of friends to provide role-models.
I agree that it is important to make the students feel comfortable and ensure them of receiving a good education. Atmosphere, is a huge spectrum in buyers remorse and negative energy will make it easy for students to turn back. It is imperative that we use synergism as employees in the field of higher education to understand that students are paying customers, and are entitled to recieve great results of an end product that is the education. The combination would be a mutually advantageous conjunction for all that play a roll in the end product to include; receptionist, admissions, financial aid, staff,faculty and most of all the company.
Good point, Raymond. What are some intentional, planned ways yourinstitution does that?
Jeffrey Schillinger
We need to make students feel comfortable
