Get Your Students Hired
I've found that when students have frustrations and they don't have someone to go to, or someone that can listen and then tell them what the solution is or why something is run the way that it is, it can become very confusing and hard for the students to understand. Which makes them even more frustrated in the end.
I've also found that students are more willing to come talk to you when they know that if they don't I will never know about the problem or the situation is.
Communication is the best way to get through student frustrations.
I agree that communication is huge with dealing with student frustrations. I love being able to see students quarter after quarter building the trust bond so they can come ask for help when the need arises.
Hi Jonathan,
Excellent point. A critical part of instruction is listening. By being a good listener you are showing that you respect your students and are concerned about their well being while they are in your course. This goes a long way in developing respect and rapport with them.
Gary
I've found that students who don't have someone to voice their frustrations to are more likely to drop out. They don't always need their problems solved, but they do need someone to listen.
Hi Lynette,
Listening is a powerful instructional tool. We instructors need to remember that when working with students. When they talk with us, even vent to us they see us as a person that cares about their success or they wouldn't talk to us. Once they have vented or shared then we can get them to work and moving forward.
Gary
Communication seems to help most if not all situations. Even if there is nothing you can do to resolve the issue that is frustrating the student, it helps the student just to have somebody to "vent" to to relieve some of the frustration the student is experiencing.
Hi Eric,
By being available and supportive you are helping your students to see how they can be successful. As you said many of the problems they are facing are not school related but life related. So by having a chance to talk about them and put them in perspective they will start to see that by remaining in school they are creating a future for themselves and their families.
Gary
I think it's important for students to feel comfortable enough to discuss concerns with me (class-related, or otherwise), but if their concerns are deeper than a few minutes worth of discussion can address, I find it's important to set up a follow up time to meet with them one-on-one. Meeting individually with students, I have found them much more willing to open up and discuss what concerns they have. A lot of the time it turns out that what may appear like a class concern on the surface is actually resulting from something completely outside of the classroom.
Hi Shellie,
What a great asset you are to your students since you have worked through the various offices and channels in that specific school just as they are. You can really help them to shortcut the challenges and get moving forward with their education. Plus, you have instant creditability since been where they are.
Gary
I am two fold lucky on this subject. Not only was I one of those nontraditional students but have returned to my alma mater as an instructor. On the occasion that my students have a problem they truly expect me to have the right answer. It benefits my students that I have already run the gamut of our institutions financial aid offices, am familiar with our rules, and have a great deal of insight into the wonderful personalities of our other instructors.
I allow my students vent and let them join in short discussions over shared frustrations but I do not let it go on for long. I know who to refer them to in very short order. But again, the pressure to "have the answer on the spot" is great.
Hi Joseph,
I really agree with you about having other chances to refine your work. Writing is a difficult process for many people and by having repeated chances and the expertise of an instructor overseeing the effort a student can come up with something of which they can be proud. As an author of numerous books I can tell you that writing is hard, requires much editing and I welcome all the help that I can get as I move to the final copy.
Gary
I allow a few minutes at the start of every class for students to vent their concerns. It’s important that they know I am interested—and that I am willing to listen to them. Often their frustrations can be solved with a simple explanation—or an opportunity to reassess a situation and tackle it again. I always give students second chances—I am a strong believer in that learning strategy. I stress revision of work—not just for the better grade, but, more importantly, the chance for students to prove to themselves that they can successfully complete an assignment. This principle holds true for writing, as all writers know, writing is a process, not a fait accompli.
Hi Patrick,
This is the key. Letting the students know you have their interest first in your planning. Understanding outside influences and being supportive does much to help keep the students engaged and coming to class.
Gary
As an educator, I have no problem admitting that I do not have all of the answers, particularly when it comes to student issues. However, I will always work to address any student issue, whether it is one generated within my classroom, or outside my classroom due to another department (registrar/financial aid), personal/family/financial problems, etc. I let my students know what I am doing on their behalf every step of the way, so that they see, procedurally, how to address the issue themselves, should it arise again later.
Hi Ryan,
You are correct about the need to establish a relationship with adult learners. Many of them are uncertain that they can be successful in school so they need a bit of encouragement at times as well as success. This will result in their being more engaged in the learning process.
Gary
This is oftentimes the root of student frustration: that they aren't being heard.
The instructor needs to take the time to ask and find out what root problems/frustrations are because students may be afraid to express the "real" reason for the frustration.
It's difficult for instructors when you have 20+ students in class and very limited one-on-one time to be able to really develop the ability to "dig out" the issues that may be confronting a student.
I feel that it's important to establish a relationship of trust with adult learners because they are often lacking the support system needed to help them succeed.
Hi Charles,
You are right on with your comments about the students needing to know that their instructor cares about their success. This really helps to motivate them to work even harder.
Gary
We have something around here we call "Student Truth." They are not intentionally lying but their perception of a situation causes them to react in way and, sometimes complain, about a situation that doesn't exist or is untrue.
You're correct, they need someone to vent their frustration on but we as instructors must help them change their perspective if their concerns are unfounded.
Communication is key but just listening is not enough
Students want to know that you understand them and really care about their success in college. Many of their frustrations stems from the fact that they may not have the necessary study skills or know how to study and take notes, time management skills (using their time wisely, as well as their social acceptance in front of their peers (fear of failing). The instructr can help by providing them with information on time management and study skills such as taking notes or preparing for a test, or at least refer them to someone who can help them. By showing that they care for the students in attempting to help them would go a long way towardsreducing thier fears and frustrations