Student Committment
I have found that most students are comitted to their education, they do not know how to deal with the issues of life. They believe they can't focus on too many things at one time. Some of them do need to drop out for a short time frame. I think that the instructors tend to go out of their way to help the students stay in school and I commend them for that.
If they can see a way to overcome their problems and follow in your footsteps.
I agree. Using yourself as an example and telling students about obstacles you have overcome to be where you are is also a powerful way of encouraging even the most discouraged students.
Personal testimonials can be powerful but not all instructors will be comfortable sharing information about their personal lives. In some cases, students may not be able to relate to their experiences.
Keeping students focused on their career choice with a large dose of encouragement goes a long way. Personal stories of how you balanced your educational experience with life issues brings the situation into a reality.
I agree, at times students lack coping skills, but the commitment to go to school and change their lives and their families lives is strong.
Sounds like their dreams died, Carleton. Wonder why they enrolled to begin with.
There are many people that have gone back to school after having been out of school for many years. I have spoken with quite a few of them and, for some of them, school just seems too difficult with other things they have going on in their lives.
So some of them eventually quit and it seems like there is nothing you can say to change their minds sometimes.
Yolanda, what do you do when you find a student who doesn't really have a commitment to the field?
Sometimes the obstacle is themselves. I have found, their career choice is not truly theirs, but of their parents. They want them to do something with their lives, or follow the family tradition of being a Health Care provider. There commitment will usually be seen in their grades or attendance. When I see that they have a lack of commitment in these areas, I don't scold them. Instead I ask, "why did you choose this career path?" It opens up other questions, to probe in their commitment, and perhaps a better view of the reality of what it takes to make it in their career choice.
I do agree that there are ways to vercome most obstacles if one is able to recognize the true obstacle. I have found that sometimes my students are not able to quite recognize what there true obstacles are. Through a little pushing to gain the resources to "fix" or come up with solutions makes a world of difference. I also have found that my greatest success stories are those that I frequently followed up with. This has shown the student that there is someone who takes them seriously and gives me the opportunity to gage their progress.
Great points! Every teacher faces the difficult task of engaging students and keeping them focus on the educational goal. It is a fine line to maintain commitment of the student with so many outsides issues in their personal lives.
"Where there is a will, there is a Way." I think as instructors, administrators, or simply as a school. We need to give our students the proper tools to succeed. It can be academically, by providing tutoring, and after class one on one with the instructor. If it's personal obstacles, then it's providing the students with the correct resources, options, and sometimes a listening ear. Sometimes, it's helping them see things in a different point of view. " I believe in you." If they are commited, they will take the advice or assistance. If they are not commited, then there is so much you can do. "Where thee is a will, there is a Way."
Student committment is a vital facor for retention.
Hello,
I believe that if someone is committed and really wants to complete something that they started, nothing can stop them. We may at times, have issues in life, but coping and learning how to deal, through speaking with someone can help. I do not believe that withdrawing from school should be an option, unless the situation is extenuating.
For my students, it does appear that once they make a big decision to change their life -- such as go to school -- the rest of the world seems to fall down around them and create obstacles.
However, with my students -- it is important for them to learn how to prioritize. Withdrawal should be a last and final resort that they must severely weigh the pros and cons of prior to making that decision.
Callie, hopefully withdrawal is a last resort. What credentials/training should the dedicated individual your referenced have?
I think that it requires a dedicated individual to assess a situtation in which a student needs to withdrawl from academia for a while. It's a difficult decision on all fronts and should, I believe, be a last resort. Build confidence above all else; then, let the student make the ultimate decision.
