Reggie--
I love the idea of your 'buddies'. How do you
decide who can serve in this role? Do they receive any type of recognition for being a buddy?
Susan
On the orientation we make sure that all student understand that ours doors are always open for them in case they need us.
Our college relies on current students serving as "buddies" during the orientation process. This seesms to be an effective way of putting the new students at ease with the new environment. During the orientation process, we also try to communicate all that the student will experience in order that there are no surprises.
Barry--
Great analogy!
Susan
Cindy--
That is great! It certainly sounds like you set a good tone in your classroom and I think students are pleasantly surprisede to find out you view them as clients.
Susan
Ray--
This sounds wonderful! I especially like that you take an entire week to do this. Spreading out the 'orientation' to their new environment helps them build confidence day-by-day.
Susan
Victoria--
I really like your asking students to talk about their goals and motivations for enrolling in school. I think this accomplishes a lot by allowing them to really think about their motives and aspirations and also lets them know they are not the only ones making large life changes. Great!
Susan
During orientation we introduce our students to the key people and resources that are available to them at the school. We explain exactly how they will help facilitate the student’s success and we explain how keenly aware we are that the students are possibly entering an environment with which they are unfamiliar and that we understand the stress that this can cause.
As a team, we try to channel the fear of failure into the nervous energy that drives success.
One of the greatest fears our students have is overall performance and I address that by likening our fundamentals courses to their knife kit, which is also discussed during orientation. I explain that just like they have a knife and/or tool for most needed occasions, we will be providing them with instruction that accomplishes the same purpose.
I reinforce to the students that I am there to work for them. They are our clients and I am available to them whenever they need assistance with things pertaining to my class or anything, really, that pertains to school.
The key to address student fears during the orientation process, is to communicate with them all the positive aspects in this new experience as a students. Also very important is to ask them for any questions, doubts they may have. Giving a clear answer to all those questions, the students will have a better feeling about starting this new experience in their lifes. Also it is very important to let them know about all the success and accomplishments from past students,after finnishing school.
During the first week of class we make them fell comfortable in their new surroundings. Activities such as a tour of the school and explanations of were to go for help helps to ease the tensions they might have being in a new envioroment.
During the first day, I always start introducing my self, then I asked them to introduce and answers questions like why they decide to study this career and what they are going to do when they finish.
I like to do this because I think the students feel less tense, more trust and they can find other who are similar.
Then I go over rules and guidelines for the course.
Phillipp-
It certainly sounds like you make every attempt to make students comfortable in reaching out to you. Great job.
Susan
Doreen--
Setting clear expectations is important. Sounds like you do a great job on this. Do you also review what they can expect from the school in return?
Susan
Marcelo--
I agree...and the direct, and timely, feedback is critical as you point out. Great job.
Susan
Fortuna--
This sounds great! I especially like that the faculty provides information regarding how to reach them.
Susan
Right now, orientation seems to be a bit overwhelming for students. I think that shortening the time and setting up "booths" (from the various departments) would benefit new students. That way, the learners and instructors could just "talk" about concerns/fears.
I try to inform students of many of the pitfalls that sometimes take place during a session, I make sure that I give them my business card so that if they are more comfortable writing an email to communicate, they have that option.
I also make sure that they are aware that I am at their disposal for any issue and if they are not comfortable with speaking with me they should seek someone out to help them and to remember that with education you must also know that sometimes you need to ask for help.
In order to alleviate student fears, our orientation covers the School’s expectation of what students will be taking in their curriculum, the requirements of uniforms, the necessity of being on-time and attending all classes.
