James-
As you point out, it is that 'personal connection' that makes such a huge difference for people. Keep up the great work.
Susan
Joseph--
Good for you! Keep encouraging them and focused on the end goal. Reaffirming that it will be worth it in the end is a great motivator.
Susan
In culinary school, we use the value equation when discussing guest satisfaction. It is essential for a good dining experience to feel like value is is either neutral or positive. McDonalds may not be great food, but people know what to expect and are rarely disappointed. If McDonald's level food was served at a Ritz, however, guests would be livid.
It is the same in education. We must first determine a student's expectation, then manage that expectation so it corresponds with the product we can suppply.
food, housing and entertainment. Waht it takes to take care of all of these and maitain good grades is aq juggling act. the less i add to this and the more i can assist seems to help a lot. sometimes you have to step out of the educator role and be a mentor to help them see how bright that light is at the end of the tunnel!
In most situations student go to school,have a full time job, some also have a family here. A lot of them struggle to make ends meet. I encourage them to stay focused on the out come.
The things I belive that students have to worry about is living expence, how to send what little time have doing the things that they love to do. Also try to keep school grades up to their and our expectations. The way I can and do help them is to reassure them that what they are going thru now will pay off later and they have made a great choice to come to UTI.
Transportation,there car's /trucks always seem in need of repair.Houseing is next finding a room mate that will pay there share.Food is next due to no job or low paying job, they are always hungrey. To help off set these problems I let them no about open shop,and guide them to instructors that can advise on there cars. I inform them of food pantry and have them see a student counsler if a servier problem.
Housing,food and fuel-car repair is what i hear the most from the students
I tell them to get a roomate,shop for cheaper prices and cook at home not go out for fast food.
Michael--
You are correct that keeping them focused on the end-goal is critical. I also think that acknowledging they are having those particular issues now is important. Students often think they are the only ones having those challenges.
Susan
First would be money, then time management.I have had a lot of students complain about these things. I think the best thing to do is to bring them back to why they are here. Lift their spirits back up by telling them what kind of life they can have after the training they are going to receive. The quality of life they are going to live and the things they can do for their families.
Robin--
Finances are always a concern for students. It sounds as if you are very helpful in providing them with alternatives and suggestions. Great job!
Susan
Thomas--
Time is being mentioned quite often, and is definitely a challenge for students--especially those on their own for the first time. Does your school do anything specific to help with this?
Susan
When a student comes to me for any kind of help, like being locked out of there car . I tell them its no big deal we all do it at times. I try to open the car as fast as i can because most of the time there either out of class missing needed information .or they may be needing to get to work .there time is very important to them.I think they appreciate the fact that some one cares.
I believe the three most common costs that I hear students talking about after they are in school are food, housing and having fun. I have given coupons and discount cards that I receive to the students to assist them in obtaining or lowering their food cost and have told a few that were short on cash about the places in the community that assist a person in obtaining lower cost food. Housing is always a concern but most students do not want to relocate or stare with other to help lower their costs. We have lots of activities around the school and valley and by letting the students know about them like going to the movies with their id or before 5 can help them to reduce their cost for fun.
Housing,Food,& Transportation. Doubling up with roomates, eating at home, carpooling are good examples of ways to cut costs. Keepindg students focused on the end result of thir sacrifice helps.
Time to accomplish everthing the student needs to do,also his understanding of how much extra study time they may need if they do not have a good mechanical back ground.You than must give them a good overview of what they can accomplish with that extra work and with incouragement they can do it .
Robert--
This is an excellent point. Does your institution do anything to help them learn time and financial management skills?
Susan
Most students are living on their own for the first time, getting their priorities straight is something they need to learn. Wise choices with money is a new concept to most of them. All of a sudden, rent, groceries and other bills must take place over recreational urges. I always encourage them to keep their eye on the prize because it will be worth the sacrifice.
The most common "costs" that I hear about,
when talking to students are:
Keeping a decent job
Getting enough sleep
Keeping bills paid
Keeping food In the house
Also, during this unstable economy, I may also hear of the difficulties they face, when looking for a job, while they are in school.
Emily--
That is a great point. We often don't consider the travel time, which can be considerable. Do you have specific tactics you suggest students use to make that commute time productive?
Susan
