Transition from high school to college
I found the deadlines/ late work and assignments section particularly interesting. I came from teaching at the high school level and now I teach at Berks Technical Institute. Although the mindset is very similar for all students I have encountered, I realize how important it is now to replicate work world expectations for the technical school students. In particular, I liked this part, "You have to decide where you are going to draw a "line in the sand" concerning assignment deadlines. In high school students are given two, three, and sometimes four chances to hand in assignments. The rules have changed now- your students are adults and are training to be successful in their chosen career field. Unfortunately, you will still find that many of them really don't believe there has been a rule change." I need to keep this in mind when I am considering allowing a student to hand in late work or a missing assignment past the deadline. It is not fair to others that completed the work, but more importantly, I am not doing them an service by continually allowing late work and missed deadlines.
Hi Craig,
You are exactly right! Our students have to learn how to be held accountable. They should be reprimanded accordingly if they do not follow rules. High school teachers need to try to become stricter.
Patricia Scales
It seems to me that the students coming straight in from high school have the idea that if they fail a test or miss an assignment due date that they should be allowed to still turn in the assignment and get full credit, or that they should just be able to re-take a test because they failed it. This is definately something that has to be addressed and ground rules set from the beginning. They need to understand life doesn't give you a redo.
Hi Brook,
Self discipline is hard for a lot of students just starting college. Students figure it out after the first grading period that college is not high school.
Patricia Scales
I completely agree with your comment. Many of my students have so much to learn about the different learning environment for which they are trying to prepare and succeed. Self discipline is not always a skill they have mastered by the time they enter a college based program. Deadlines help improve this discipline so that can carry it into the real world jobs.
Hi Melanie,
Consistency is key! Instructors who do not follow policy make it really hard for those of us who follow policy. We are looked at as the bad guy by the student.
Patricia Scales
Hi Janette,
Teaching students to be accountable/responsible is a lesson in itself. We have to be firm and stern with our students because transitioning from high school to college is major for some students.
Patricia Scales
My department has a strict late assignment policy, which I have always stuck to. Occasionally when I run into past students, they complain that not all their teachers did this and how they appreciated my consistency.
The majority of my students are straight out of high school, I try to emphasize from day one, the difference and level of responsibility for that an adult student has over a high school student. It takes a great level of discipline and self control to complete tasks on your own.
It's very easy for a new instructor to allow students to turn in late assignments. I was guilty of that also when I started teaching. However I feel I have heard the same reasons over and over again and students are not prepared for the real world.
Hi Richard,
Get tough with having students adhered to deadlines. As a professional you know and understand the importance of meeting deadlines.
Patricia Scales
I have seen this in my most recent class. Out of 5 students, the only one who comes late and doesn't turn in assignments is the youngest one, almost right out of high school. Our school has a strict policy of students having to provide documentation from a doctor to get excused from absences, so I don't accept any late work unless it was work missed on a day that they had a written excuse.
I am an instructor in the Registered Vet Tech program at Carrington. As a "rookie" instructor I was being fairly laid back as assignments go. On the other hand I owned a veterinary hospital for 20 years. In that light I did not tolerate lateness. I now see the light of NOT accepting late assignments....thank you.
Hi Charlotte,
Nicely stated! Laziness gets you no where, other than being terminated. Our students need to have a go-getter attitude.
Patricia Scales
Absolutely! And working in the Healthcare Staffing industry, as well as instructing MA students, I know that there is zero tolerance for laziness in health care. In any job really. It is very important for students to recognize this during their education. Hard work, dedication and effort pay off. Take initiative, go above and beyond. It will make you stand out, and you will be more marketable. Being lazy just don't get it.
Hi Charlotte,
I practice what you preach. We need to prepare our students for the real world. Laziness will get you fired. Employes are not going to tolerate a lack of effort.
Patricia Scales
Great point, I find this situation can be multiplied by students that have been out of high school for a few years. They are old enough know that deadlines must be met but are referring back to how it was when they were in school.
This transition can be particularly rough. Students that are entering college right out of High School sometimes have a misconception about college, and approach learning, attendance, and assignment deadlines, with a laid back mentality. I think it is important to express a zero tolerance for allowing students to turn in assignments late. I feel when we allow this, it fosters a sort of lazy work ethic. There is no time for lazy in the real world, especially in a medical office. There will always be extenuating circumstances of course, emergencies, etc... I think it is crucial to differentiate between what is acceptable, and what isn't. Young students, I feel, need to understand right away that there is no "being late" for anything. Assignments, as well as class.
I have day students that are usually right out of high school. I find them to be challenging in getting them to adjust to college. As for late assignments I have it in my syllabus concerning late assignments. I go over the syllabus on the first day. When the problem does arise I remind the student of the "contract" we have and that settles any arguments.
Besides the late assignments it is the behavior that these young students engage in that I find something to overcome. It usually irons out within a week.
Hi Leann,
You are right! Come up with a system and stick to it. Some instructors have no tolerance for late assignments. In my Professional Development course, which is a course they take right before graduating, I do not accept late work. In the real world not meeting deadlines is not going to be tolerated.
Patricia Scales
