Overwhelmed students
Many adult students have several commitments they must meet in addition to their studies. Those include family, job, and community activities. They tell me that it is very difficult for them to find time to complete everything on time, and to devote as much time to their work as they would like. Does anyone have suggestions for overwhelmed students, or suggestions for instructors of those students?
Stephanie,
Without further information it is really difficult to respond to this situation. It may be that the college has overloaded the students to the point that success is not possible. You may need to consider looking at other teaching options where you get to concentrate on being student centered rather than content driven which sounds like what you have now.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
what do you do when as an instructor you have no say in the number of homework assignments, reading chapters, or quizzes students have per week? The college dictates course structure. My students are overwhelmed with all of the above plus two other classes that have heavier content than mine.
Hi Jeanne,
This is a great story to share with your students. This creates a connection between you and their current life struggles. They know you know what they are going through, since you did it yourself.
Thanks for sharing.
Gary
As a mother of 5, I definitely fit into the overwhelmed student category. But right from the start, my program instructors were there to give encouragement and support as needed. They made their expectations clear. I had high expectations of myself and of the program and I was willing to work hard to achieve my goals. So I did what I had to do. I studied for an anatomy exam at my daughter's concert up until they turned off the lights. I made up med term flash cards and had whichever child I was taking to piano lessons or a sleepover quiz me while I drove. I showed my family members how to do their own laundry. I served a lot of take out food. And I forgave myself for not having a tidy house and not being a perfect mom while I was in school. In the process, I was modeling to my kids that you can achieve whatever you are willing to work at, and that you have to give up some things in order to obtain your goals. But if the goal is important to you, then it is also important to your family and friends to do what they can to support you in achieving that goal. I think sharing this with my students will make them feel that if I could do it, they can too. I think they will also feel that they can relate to me because I've been where they are now. -Jeanne
Hi Daniel,
This is great to hear. I am sure your students are going to be pleased with this new approach and that learning comprehension is going to be enhanced.
Gary
Having a rather technical course to manage, I have struggled with overwhelmed students from the standpoint of understanding and grasping the material and have constantly revised my approach in material presentation and assignment requirements. This term I have broken it down into much smaller bits as you have already noted and have found most students have responded very well to this. So far, the results have been encouraging as more students are completing the assignments despite the outside demands they face in their everyday lives. I am looking forward to the student review comments this term to see how I might further refine this material.
Hi Colin,
What a great introduction to "real life" and not a TV cooking show. You are being candid and accurate with your students so they can start to understand what their career choice is going to require of them. Once they have come to understand that then it becomes easier for them to create a success trail for themselves early in their program.
Gary
As a Chef Instructor, I am frequently challenged not just by students with limited time and resources, but also with some unrealistic expectations, no doubt caused by watching too much Top Chef and by listening to overzealous admissions representatives. I find that speaking in earnest to students about the need for them to properly (re)set their expectations may be uncomfortable for students, but completely necessary to the process. Many students sign up because of the allure of a convenient schedule, so I think they view school as something they can "fit in" to their otherwise normal lives, a strategy that invariably fails. In the culinary school setting (as elsewhere, I'm sure), normal life must end - work, friends and family must now adjust to the school commitment, NOT the other way around. Putting students in the proper mind set has been an important first step for me as an instructor; it may not solve all of their problems, but it puts them in the proper frame of mind to begin the growth process.
Thanks, Gary! I continue to learn from my students - some of them do seem to have incredibly overloaded schedules, but I always say where there is will, there is a way.
Hi Cynthia,
Good advice for any instructor. You have a great philosophy of education. Your students are fortunate to have you as their instructor. You are dedicated, available and dedicated to helping them achieve success. This is what teaching is all about.
Gary
I give students a brief overview of my own experience working part-time, raising my son, and attending college. One key strategy is to use a calendar -- include assignment start and due dates and pencil in assignment tasks - chunk reading and writing over the week instead of doing it in one day. I say "pencil in" because things do come up, so just erase, and move to the next day. Just do not put everything off until the night before (low grades usually are a result of lack of preparation and poor allocation of time). I also encourage students to email me frequently to ask questions if they run into a concept or application which overwhelms them. Overall, I remind them that I would not be doing what I love if I had not done the hard work to get here.
Hi Michelle,
Vision quest is an important part of learning. If the students can see their future in relation to the studying they are doing now they will stay engaged. By knowing that their instructor faced the same challenges in getting her education as they are they can see how it is possible for them to complete school as well.
Gary
I put myself through college, so I feel that I relate to the schedule conflicts of the students. I always stress the importantance of being organized and making their education be a top priority to them. I also remind them of there ultimate goal and what that will bring them.
Good point. That seems to allow the students to digest the material in manageable bits.
Hi Michael,
One of the things that has worked for me with overwhelmed students is to break down the assignments into small sequences. By having deadlines for these small assignments the work is not too great for them to complete. Each small assignment then builds to the next until they complete the entire project. This method helps them to avoid the big time crunch just before the assignment is due.
Gary
