Timothy--
Taking a very practical are approach to these external factors is great. Students are often hesitant to admit these are issues, but certainly can cause them to struggle in their studies. Great job!
Susan
Housing being number 1,food number 2,and fuel-car repairs number 3-I just asked my students.
Itell them to get a roomate,shop for cheaper prices and to stay off the lunch trucks and the vending machines
Douglas--
Good for you...keeping them focused on the desired end goal is important. Telling them 'real' stories of others who have made the sacrifices and survived and excelled is encouraging.
Susan
Our students have many costs. Trying to earn a living while attending school full time cuts into their sleep and social time. Most are barely getting by financially. I try to encourage them by telling them of former students of mine and what they're doing after graduation.
What 3 I hear is food rent travel ( gas auto repair ) on food I tell them that fast food cost a lot try to make there lunch not much I can do about rent on auto repair I tell them to shop around for the parts and then come see me for help on the repair
Gregory--
The buddy list is an excellent idea! This also helps them to build support groups and keep each other in school.
Susan
The 3 most common struggles I hear about from students are time, transportation and its expenses,and financial or money struggles. When a class starts I set up a buddy list of phone numbers and E-mails so they can get in contact with one another. This way they can get rides to school or carpool to class to save money. They can also discuss and work on their class assignments. I also mention and encourage the students to use the Food Pantry at the school or the Community Food Banks. I also encourage them to finish their resumes and start to pursue and think about areas of the country they may want to work. I also stress living by the values of Honesty and Integrity in all they do.
Bob--
Those are very helpful suggestions and things that we (educators) often don't address. Students who are away from home generally don't think about the basic things and are definitely uncomfortable asking.
Susan
Steven--
Absolutely correct. Time is a huge factor and students often don't realize just what the cost here really will be. Keeping them focused on the end goal is very helpful.
Susan
Errol--
I'm sure your passion for the program comes through loud and clear!
Susan
The 3 I hear the most about are housing, travel expense, and costs of food etc: Some we are able to help with by suggesting alternatives like "buy your gas over here because it's cheaper", suggestions on where to buy items that are always needed, and even something like "learn how to cook because it's usually better for you" and you will save money by not going out to eat. Many of our students are away from home for the first time and do not know how to live on their own or budget their money.
I believe by far most students feel the greatest cost is time. Because many students are working and going to school this greatly affects how much free time they have. For many it is time away from family members or just the ability to relax.
Knowing that their training is going to lead to a great career is what keeps them going.
A decent place to live, a job that will allow them time to maintain their study time (GPA) while allowing them to have some social time and will they learn enough to get the job that they are dreaming of. At Ford Fact and I an proud to be a part of the Ford training (manufacture specific training), it is easy for the students to see that they are getting a good value for their education and that what they are learning will indeed help them reach their goals and dreams, I love this progam!
maintaning housing, juggleing a job and school. most students try really hard to keep up with daily tasks and maintain a good GPA
Steve--
Great question. Time (to study, away from family and friends) is always in the top of their perceived cost equation. We need to keep them focused on the end goal.
Susan
