I feel that successful advising starts with your ability to listen to the student's need, understand their perspective and "guide" them along. I find sometimes I start "caudling" students during our one-on-one sessions and that never sets them up for success
I totally agree to not sugar coat bad news, but I don't want to take their hope away either. The students that I am involved with; sometimes this is their only chance to get themselves out of a life style they have been stuck in. I have been an instructor for many years and I see the benefit in treating students as individuals; I just don't want to loose them to the system, and while the news is not sugar-coated, I don't want them to think no one cares about them either. I guess I struggle with a good balance sometimes.
Key Component
1.I try to learn who this student (person) is.
2.Professionally inquire about their likes/dislikes, at same time share my own.
3.I quietly observe the students doing Lab actives, and then share my observations with positive feedback and coaching suggestions about areas of concern.
4.I try to express myself to students when advising them, that our learning environment is equal. Meaning I am no greater than them, I just happen to have some knowledge, experience, and skills I love to share with them, providing the student is willing to take ownership of their education.
Hi Karen,
You have to be honest with students and encouraging at the same time. I have learned in this industry that you do not need to sugar coat things with students. Being straightforward is the only way and the best way.
Patricia Scales
Hi Joel,
Listening to our students is a must. We must be good listeners so that we can better assist our students.
Patricia Scales
Hi Garry,
Students need to be held accountable and responsible for their own education. We are there to help, guide and facilitate.
Patricia Scales
I have found successful advising to students is having the student take some ownership and have a value in the stakes at hand. Suggested solutions from a partnership role goes a long way.
Listening to the students concerns or needs is key. They are giving you the knowledge of what they are looking for and your job is to guide them on how to get there. Sometimes however we have to see that what they want or need is something that is a long term goal rather than a short term goal.
It's never fun giving advising to students, however, I am firm,to the point, and point out something good they have done. Even if the student does not pass the class I try to put into perspective - it is not the end of the world, just a hiccup, in their quest for success. I am not so out of touch to know what a huge impact this has on students emotionally, financially and every other way. It is not the end of the world though and I encourage them to dust themselves off and I'll be happy to see them again.
Hi David,
You are right! The advisor really has to be on their "A" game when it comes to advising. If the adviser is not knowledgeable, it can certainly hurt the students in many ways. A good advisor advises really well.
Patricia Scales
One of the main key components of successful student advising is that the advisor truly knows and understands the material and procedures for which the student is inquiring about. This not only will help the student but this reflects upon the quality of the institution as well. If the student perceives that the advisor knows the information he/she will have a confident feeling about the institution.
Hi Q'iana,
A lot of educational institutions offer courses/seminars on various topics of this nature, which is very helpful.
Patricia Scales
I belive some key components to advising students should be relating to:
how to study
time management
internal/external environment influence
concerns
goals
affirmation of success
Hi Karl,
I concur! A nice blend for an instructor is to be firm, yet caring. Caring to the point where standards are not lowered for students. Our students need to know that we geniunely care about them.
Patricia Scales
Caring about your students and people I think is the first key to being able to get individuals to realize what is important to them and what adjustments they need to make in their lives in order to be successful and content with the decisions they make. So an instructor that gives direction in a caring but firm direction based on his own past experiances and successfulness in life, I think can impact students to make proper and logical descisions for their own well being.
Hi Gordon,
Thank you for truly being concerned about your students. Students need to know that we genuiunely care about them. Listening is paramount!
Patricia Scales
I feel that each student has his or her way of learning and any outside force,transportation, financial, or family situations may interfere with the abililty to concentrate and learn.
If I see a student in trouble I take them aside and ask if there is any thing they want to talk about and anything I can do to help the situation.
Most of the time, after they have spoken the words
they come up with a solution to the problem and basically all I did was listen, really listen.
Hi Edwin,
I love your perspective! I can tell you truly care about your students, and you will do everything in your power to help them succeed. They are fortunate to have someone firm, yet caring about their success. Continue to motivate your students and have very high expectations of them.
Patricia Scales
Hi Greg,
I like your straightforwardness. You have to let students know on Day 1 what is expected of them. You really get from students what you expect.
Patricia Scales
As a retired Marine, adjunct police sniper instructor and a biker - most of my students already know I'm hard core. So the efforts I spare in getting them in line is, more over; a matter of respect, discipline and mutual interest. They know what to expect.
They are given my expectations for their class as a whole, as-well-as individual growth. I am a task master and will not leave you alone until you have surpassed my minimum standard of achievement in my class/lab. This allows a reputation to build prior to their entering the class. You will learn and you will have fun or else. Once in a while, I get a student that bucks the system. It should be expected, and encouraged to a point - as long as it does not cause other class members to have their education impeded. I have tried altering the student’s tasks, the order in which they are performed, having discussions of their personal interests and in general get to know the student prior to coming down with Thor’s hammer…, either grade wise or having to fall back on disciplinary measures. They know I’ve got their back (their 6).
Specifically, with adult education (be it young adult or old) you have to extend a helping hand today to retain students moral, focus and attendance. Today’s economy has hit all areas of our society. The added stresses are showing up and boiling over daily. We have to be mindful that the disruptive student may be acting out or not participating due to outside influencers. Mindful, is the word for those trying to reach todays adult student. They know that I am mindful of their goals, present living status and their sacrifices made for a higher education.
Our lack of caring society has a lot of cracks the difficult student can fall through - don’t let them fall through the cracks.
