I agree wholeheartedly its all about vision. If the individual can conceptualize themselves in the desire or objective and focus on that it will by process of concentration manifest.
You normally get out what you put in. This applies to everything we do, be it school, marriage, work, or life! How you preform in class says alot about how you will preform on the job. This is just not a class, but also a job interview.
Being successful in college comes with being a motivated and dedicated learner. You must have the drive and want to be the best at everything you do. I would explain that to my students and inform them that I will give them the tools and encouragement that they need to get through but it is up to them to use them.
In the end it is totally up to them.
Kizzy,
You received good advice in your program and you are sharing it with your students. They need to know they have your support if they are willing to put forth the required effort and you are doing that through your outreach efforts.
Gary
Dr. Gary Meers
The best advice I received from an instructor regarding academic fear was regarding a Master’s Program. She told me that once you get to that level, it’s easy breezy. At this point in your education, all you’re doing is listening to the professor. For some reason, that made it seem more attainable. I always say that an informed student is a happy student. Students who understand the college/school process seem to have better success in class. I often share with my students that it’s not unusual to not know when, what, where and how regarding college. I encourage them to be active and do their research when they have questions about their educational career. I also make them understand that I’m not setting them up for failure and that the “program†will work for them if they make it work.
Mazen,
I admire students that come to school and are successful even when they are challenged with disruptive situations outside of the classroom. They want to learn and are willing to do what ever it takes to stay in school and learn the content and skills needed for their career selection.
Gary
Dr. Gary Meers
Provide ample opportunities for them to achieve at least small successes or victories with which to build upon their later larger successes and victories. Feedback, feedback, feedback is quite crucial for new students. Plus many bring less-than-stellar prior high school or college experiences. Also sometimes the significant people in their lives are NOT supportive; then college becomes "a type of haven" or "a safe place".
I have had students who said that being at college was the one calmest, safest part of their daily existence. We must reinforce that feeling PLUS it certainly could help retention!
Terry,
Great! I wish you much continued success as an educator and learning leader.
Gary
Dr. Gary Meers
Your encouragement is appreciated. I will continue to seek and implement innovative strategies.
Terry,
You are offering variety and opportunity for interaction. Your approach is comfortable and supportive. My recommendation is to continue doing what you are currently doing. Keep on the lookout for additional strategies you can implement in your classes and you will continue to expand your expertise as an instructor.
Gary
Dr. Gary Meers
i usually help student to overcome their fear by hand on demonstration,and also after class time we have additional tutoring, when i can be more fpousing on some students problemm
Telling the student what they need to succeed in the class will relieve some stress/anxiety.No one enjoys uncertainty. Daily positive reinforcement gives confidence to those that may be unsure. This works well with both the young and older learners. I have noticed that the older learners seem to be more serious, often due to job insecurities. I enjoy a few minutes of of fun every once in a while so the class can take a "mini-break".
Do you have any recommendations?
Allow them to relate life experiences to what they are learning, and encourage them that these experiences add to/help them learn new skills.
Helping students to develop analogies to what they already know to what they are learning will help them feel more confident that they CAN learn the new information. (ie if a cook, relate that measuring accurately for a receipe is similiar to measuring accurately for medications).
Nisa,
A good comprehensive strategy for helping your students to be successful in your course. This type of support is so important.
Gary
Dr. Gary Meers
Barbara,
Encouragement goes a long way in helping to reinforce learning and keeping students engaged.
Gary
Dr. Gary Meers
Give them encouragement. Normalize their fear- it's okay to be nervous, everyone is- and offer your help and support for when they're struggling with the material. Point out their strengths and help them work on their weaknesses; praise them with each step they take and thus build up their confidence in themselves.
I always appraise my students when they are successful by giving small prizes or even writing small compliments on their papers, for example: great job, awesome, good work and etc. believe it or not those little xtra words go along way and my that student feel alittle bit more confident and succesful.
David,
Very well said. This is one of the rewards of teaching. We get to work with all types of students and engage them in the learning process while using their personalities to be the bridge to success while they are learning.
Gary
Dr. Gary Meers
Some students come in with almost an excessive amount of confidence. Others are very timid and fearful. With a little extra work to help them understand the material, those students can overcome their fears. Even a small victory can go a long way to confidence building. You have to be careful not to end up doing the work for them, because they lose the satisfaction of accomplishment. With confidence the fears will diminish.
William,
So important. Thank you for bringing up this reminder about feedback. Student need and value it when given on a regular basis.
Gary
Dr. Gary Meers
