Being Successful in College
What are some ways you can help students to overcome their fear of not being successful in their college work?
I think addressing the fear/anxiety students feel face on about a certain class and/or being in college is important. Having small groups activties can help students gain confidence in classes. Also, making sure as an instructor I am encouraging and supportive. Providing effective feedback is also important.
Positive reinforcement and validation help students to realize they can do the work and they can learn. Group projects help relieve some of the anxiety that may stress students and helps them understand they are all facing the same academic challenges.
One of the ways I try to help students overcome their fear of not being successful is by creating a common bond that we can all relate to in the class. For my introduction to computer class, I have a wide variety of computer skills, age ranges and every degree program represented in the school. Because our school is close to a major metropolitan city, traffic is often our common bond. I am always in the classroom early and as students arrive we begin to discuss the traffic that morning. As more students arrive they chime in on the discussion. We learn about each other including where we live, the routes we take, we empathize with the students who leave their homes at 4 am for an 8 am class and those who just finished the night shift before coming to class. Though the topic of the common bond may change from class to class, the process helps lessen the fears students bring into the classroom and creates an open environment where students talk to each other, help each other, talk to the instructor and ask questions.
I think it is important to build a rapport with all students (but especially adult learners) as early as possible. The best way to do this is to talk to students individually before, after, on breaks, or in the halls about things that are important to the student and not just class work. This way, when it comes time to talk to them about your class or their education, they know you are invested in them as a person and that they are not just another student in your class.
Valerie,
A few words of encouragement and support can go a long way in helping students to see how they fit into the course and that they are valued. This is the human factor in teaching that needs to be a part of everything we do.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
I like to provide encouragement to the students. Especially those that seem unsure of themselves. Praise goes a long way. I also like to provide ample to go over things that the students are having trouble understanding. Especially if it is a subject that was tough on an exam.
From the first day, I encourage non-threatening group activities to help students adjust to the academic setting. By working with others, students can feel less intimidated by a large group. By asking students about their majors, goals, experiences, and interests, they are able to share with others. This helps students identify with each other. Furthermore, for those students who have fears, I can work with them individually to help them with their work. Of course, a lot of positive reinforcement validates their efforts. Small achievements may lead to larger achievements.
Arriving to class early, staying around during breaks, and staying after class are valuable nuggets of time when students feel comfortable opening up. Something as simple as asking, "Are you doing anything fun this weekend?" will open up easy conversations about hobbies. Also, sharing about yourself is a natural way to make a student feel comfortable. I have found that they are eager to make a connection. If I talk about snowboarding, they are quick to suggest resorts. Next thing you know we are sharing all kinds of stories. Building this rapport is essential to calm an anxious student. A calm and comfortable student is more likely to be successful in your classroom.
To help students with their fear of not being successful, I make sure that I have specific examples of assignments attached to their homework. This gives the students a point of reference to check themselves as they go along. I also make sure that my entire semester is setup with all quiz dates, homework due dates, and project due dates prior to the first day of class. This allows the students to get a jump start on any of their assignments.
At the beginning of the program, I allow time for general conversation,in class, ecouraging my students to talk about the challenges they have as well as the fears they have about returning to school. I find that the knowledge they share about learning and expressing time management skills is sometimes better than anything I can suggest. They relax into the module knowing they are not alone in their fears
At the beginning of the program, I allow time for general conversation,in class, ecouraging my students to talk about the challenges they have as well as the fears they have about returning to school. I find that the knowledge they share about learning and expressing time management skills is sometimes better than anything I can suggest. They relax into the module knowing they are not alone in their fears
Being a private career college, many of my students are coming to us just out of the military, what I see is for many of them this is the first time sense high school that they have been out in the civilian world and have much adapting to do, not just on an academic level. I work with a fairly small student population and am able to get to know most of my students on somewhat of a personal level. One of the biggest hurdles that I routinely see is that there is something outside of school going on that in-turn affects a students performance in the classroom. Helping students navigate life while they are in school can be one of the most helpful thing we can do to make them successful. Even if it is something as simple as helping them to create a budget for the month so that they are able to buy food at the end of the month helps.
You are 100% right...I spell out objectives, goals & course requirement. Also, I emphasize that your current class standing is an "A" & your attendance status no absences...Finally, I stress the importance of time management...
Judith,
There is a saying that goes along with this strategy. It is "To teach is to learn twice, once as a student and again as a teacher". By having them teach one of the chapters you are fulfilling this saying for your students. Their retention of the content is going to increase as a result of this effort.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
Michael,
Good strategy as this helps to build their confidence while they grow in their knowledge of the content. This way you can really get an accurate picture of what they have learned by the end of the course.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
I have students work together and teach one of their chapters that allows them to be successful in their eyes
I like to start out with easy tests and assignments first and progress into harder test and assignments towards the end. It gives everyone a chance to excel in the beginning and lets them build up to the more challenging assignments.
Richard,
Your last sentence really captures how we need to plan and implement our instructional delivery. We need to build student confidence and this is done through repeated opportunities to make applications and see relevance.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
I've found that hands-on exercises and gaining experience through process is a great way to re-enforce concepts covered in lecture and help build student confidence. Confidence is a major component to success in any venture!
