The organization must function as a team. Any missing components to this chain will result in some breakdowns. These can be costly breakdowns. I feel that negativity is a persons weak side. That is why they so often share it as it is too much for them to handle alone...

I find it rewarding to ask the student about his home, his goals and hen how he/she can connect these when he/she graduates. I get them looking further forward to a successful end state where life will be goog, good based on what you put into you education.

I feel that often a snap shot of the possibilities for the students future may spark some new initiative. Often student need some indications of the payoff, the future benefits, maybe how life could be...

Before one can act as a change agent for another person they must understand how to deal with the particular problem. Secondly, they must establish rapport which is a valuable trusting relationship to aid student with all of his or her most private issues. Maintaining the student confidentiality is the upmost important for the student and facility success.

Each of us are responsible for our own self actualization but it is also the responsibility of the leaders (teacher, parents, and professors) to help each person by instilling confident in that member so that they are as strong as the strongest link of the network or section.

Students often feel alone and the support that comes from a mentor can ease some student tensions. Any tensions that can be eased will open the door for learning. It's also nice to know that someone cares...

This is so true, we have found that not necessarilly retention, but enrollment into additional training areas is definately down if it is made known that there are few jobs available at this time. I have had several students ask "why should I continue in the program if there are not going to hardly be any jobs when I finish". I had a perfect example of this not even two weeks ago. I had a former graduate student contact me via e-mail, telling me he has been having a hard time finding a job at his local dealership. He then stated because of this, he feels he had wasted his time completing manufacturer specific training. I had to reassure him that, no education is a waste of your time, how you use that education and how you make a future interviewer understand the importance of that additional education is nothing short of selling yourself for a positive end result. We as educator's sometimes have to help future, current, or graduate students sometimes understand the importance of their education not only for a career goal, but how that education can, and/or has made them a better person for it.

I believe it is a good idea to have a club day in week one, where all clubs and organizations have a representative present themselves to students. This gets students excited about their place at the institution.

I encourage students to form study groups. Many students often learn better from fellow students. It also helps students who are behind to learn some of the rudimentary material and catch up.

I like the idea of a scavenger hunt if orientation is held on a big campus, but I'm surprised this isn't more common practice. It is a good way to break the ice, while also teaching about the campus.

It is the responsibility of all to make sure the student gets a valuable education. Although the first perception of an academic institution might be quite different from the perception of the institution after the first test taken, it is still important for you to remind the student the value of their education.

On the first day of class I have students answer a series of questions including: Why are you here? What do you want to get out of school? Where do you see yourself a year from now? Where do you see yourself 5 years from now? I like them to create of a vision and stay focused on those goals.

I try to learn all my students names the very first day. When I see students in the hallway I always greet them with their first name(if I can remember it) and ask them how their classes are going.

The title for my discussion comes simply from making sure the admissions department has a full understanding of what goes on within the educational facility they work for. For instance, If you are an admin rep for an automotive trade school, you should understand exactly what the curriculum will entail as the perspective student progresses through their program. So many students are not sure of exactly what they will be learning as they progress in their program, and with unexpected courses thrust upon them, at times seems to make them uneasy with their education and that's just a plan for disaster for retention.

We encourage students to follow up with and encourage each other, build community to combat attrition.

Should be clearly outlined by admin. staff. We have far to many that seem surprised late in the program when a class schedule change is made.

In helping to resolve student issues it's helped to not take for granted what someones ability to seek out or utilized available resources

I try to begin the week with a group touch on what everyone did as it relates to our course of study. Also challenging them to do something over the weekend that we can discuss in class as a "current events" class related subject for discussion.

In the culinary environment it's a particular challenge to have students respect the uniform as something other than just something to get dirty in instead of clothes.

We used a program where faculty at all levels connected with a small group of incoming students and tracked them through the duration of the program.