Reason for leaving a program
I feel that students have a positive connection with me at my school and can talk to me. They are able to express why they might possibly be unhappy, but there is also a comfort level that could go beyond that such as a friendship. Because I am there as student services and admissions, how do you maintain a level of too much comfort? I have not let that develop into friendships but want to make sure they continue to stay within the program.
Charles, does your institution maintain contact with students who drop out? Are you successful in getting them to return after they discover the mistake they made?
I have see some poor decisions on why to leave a class or program over the years.
One student dropped my class to go sell steak knives door to door.
Another student stopped attending class to go on spring break with his friends.
The goal or dream for them get fuzzy and they influenced to go off in a different direction.
Peer pressure gets the best of them.
Reinforcing the goal or dream in class helps to keep them in the seat.
"Compassionate guide" is a great concept. And I think you're right about the ultimate responsibility remains with the student.
busy doing enrollment for semester. I will be in and out doing this process. I will try to do one or two parts of this training today. Hope to finsh up all parts by 04/29/2013
I do think there can be a fine line between too much hand holding and being a compassionate guide. Basically you have to put the ultimate responsibility back on the student for the decisions they make and the consequences of those decisions. All I can do is help them think through the different choices and results.
Sharon, do you think those outside influences are part of the reason students don't seek out help on a timely basis?
Victoria, do you think that reluctance on the part of the struggling students is an extension of their overall attitude toward education and is a long-standing practice?
Lizzie, do you have any techniques that have been particularly effective in communicating these messages to your students? Every college tells students "we care". Getting them to feel that seems to be far more difficult.
I always tell students at orientation that they have to let their instructors know that they need help as soon as they do not understand something. They have to speak up and acknowledge that they want the help and not to wait until the day before finals. I see students leaving more because of outside influences. Sometimes students just need someone to listen them and let them vent.Just like we do.
Yes, it is so important that students are aware of the support services available to them. I work as a tutor at our school, and I am quite sure many students feel there is a stigma attached to the thought of receiving such help. During first-week orientations, we stress the importance of being proactive and let everyone know that students seek tutoring for a variety of reasons - reinforcement of information, proofing papers, research help, time-management, memorization techniques, test prep., etc. - that it is students who are struggling as well as excelling who seek help. In fact, it is frequently the proactive, rather than reactive students who seem to feel less intimidated about receiving help. So, even though students may be aware of the services available, it is often those who need it most who require the most effort and encouragement from an administrative standpoint to seek and receive the services.
I feel that having a positive connection with the students doesn't mean the relationship will go beyond friendship. That's up to you, how far the relationship should go. I do feel that being honest with the student work alot better than lying about the school. Let them know that if they need help in class there will be someone at the school to help them. Also letting them know that there is nothing wrong with asking for help in a subject. That they aren't the only one feeling that a subject is not clicking . No body can help them if they don't speak up for them selves. Also that we work for them and with out them nobody would have a job at the school. Also they are paying a lot of money to go school and will have to pay it back. There is nothing to be ashame of for asking for help when it's needed and that's why we are their for.
Kelly, most students understand the difference between a positive connection and being their buddy. They recognize professional support and appreciate the effort without expecting a close personal relationship.
