Self-Actualization
According to what we found to be true about what is necessary for a student to obtain an education. That is, study very hard, follow instructions, ask questions in class etc... What are the needs of a student before he/she can think about attending college? Primary goals are important however; without having basic needs before students attend higher education will result in failure. What can be done about this situation before students attend college?
Before a student enrolls in college, I feel that the Pros and the Cons should be laid on the table. They should know the benefits of obtaining a higher education, and the impact it will make on their lives as well as the cons. If they are not willing to dedicate to college in the classroom as well as out of the classroom, then it may be a difficult situation. If a prospective student is unsure of their career goal, then they should be advised to take a career test. They may be torn, and only chose that degree plan, because one of their friends or family members did. I believe that if you lay out the good and the bad to them in black and white, the will get a better understanding of what is in front of them. They need to be attending college based on their future endeavors. Once they realize what they want, they will be motivated and strive for excellence.
Honest, accurate self assessment can be quite difficult and requires a level of understanding and life experience. This sort of personal exploration frequently is part of a Student Success course that includes assessment tools and resources to help the students understand more about themselves and others.
It will be a good thing for students to self-assess themselves with emphasis on their interests, strengths, and weaknesses. Achieving a good grasp on who you are as an individual will assist in your knowlegde of your competency to get where you are trying to go in life.
Lack of basic grammar, spelling, vocabulary aren't limited to students as you have noticed from some of the Forum postings. Does this mean that these people shouldn't have been given the opportunity to develop their technical competence? Testing for learning disorders is expensive and ADA regulations severely limit the action that can be taken based on those results. According to regulation, people with learning disorders are probably entitled to some form of accommodation.
We try so hard to bring students up to a higher level of understanding, yet some of these students have a lack of basic grammar, spelling, vocabulary. I actually believe we should address the admission process to clearly search out students who have a chance of success. A current student tells me she has a learning disorder. Really? Did anyone in admissions know that? Has the student ever been tested, and confirmed that she actually does have a learning disorder? Or is this a copout? It is easier to say that one has a learning disorder than to take responsibility for doing well. Let's do the student a service by getting to know them better at the outset. Then we can talk about the expectations of the program.
Students need to understand the value of themselves, the difference between high school and Post secondary education, and the importance of getting good grades. They need to set goals of how they are going to obtain their degrees, prepare, organize, and stay focused.
To achieve these goal before student attend college they need to have the proper guidance throughout highschool and possible a mentor who can show them they way.
