Dealing with GAS!!
I understand what was said in this section.... but I have some issues with it. In my opinion students, in high school, in some sports and in the home life are not tought to deal with failure! They are told "well at least you tried!" and they feel that that is good enough. Every body fails!!!! bar none. and untill kids that are growing up are tought that failing is part of life, and when it happens you have to pick your self up, dust your self off and (the MOST important of all.... Try it again. Untill this idea becomes mainstream again we will have students that give up as easily as they do.
Interesting observation, Victoria. The sophomore slump has been getting a lot of attention again. Has your school considered any efforts aimed at this group of students?
I can relate to this personally. When I was in the second semester of my sophomore year of college, I began to seriously doubt the purpose of my efforts, and I expressed this in letters to my parents. I had no idea at the time how common this thought process was (is). They wrote back with words of encouragement that I remember to this day (in fact, I still have that letter). Interestingly, my son recently went through the same doubt. I pulled that letter out to share with him and found that the dates corresponded (within two days) - second semester, sophomore year! A solid support system means everything. I have shared this story with students at work - I think knowing you're not alone provides an aspect of support in and of itself.
GAS does offer the insight to the problem of not having coping skills for failure. I deal with this with many students that cannot handle failure. Some of them just give up and do not want to try again. I just talk to them and tell them that they need to analyze the situation and try to tell me what they did wrong. They usually figure it out and they take ownership of the problem. I suggest that they practice solving the problem at home until they succeed. If they come back without the problem resolved then I lead them to a different path to solve the situation. I always remember that everyone learns in a different way.
Thanks and Aloha,
Geraldine Reyes Chef Instructor
Actually, GAS offers some insight to the problem you describe, Jeff. When people - not just young people - aren't equipped to deal with stress, they may make impetuous decisions.
Your prescription of trying again is appropriate. What these students lack are the coping skills to overcome the initial setback. Rather than excuse their performance or behavior, we should be certain they are aware of the support resources available and direct them to a source of help. They retain ownership of the problem, but now may be able to deal with the issues in a positive way.
