Along with the standard short ppt presentation to put them at easy and answer to their questions, we have booths set up so the students can spend
time with each department. So if there are any fears or concerns generally they are handled before the student leaves the campus.
We have even added a meet and greet with the instructors to help explain what they can expect.
I tell my students that I am a graduate of the school and I understand the difficulties they are facing. I relate what it was like for me and tell them where to go if they need help.I make sure they know that we have people whose job it is to help students with their problems.
On the first day of class we go over what we call the keys to success (KTS). This points out the do's and do not's. We also speak of the course materials and tasks we will cover. I ask each student individually where they want to be in 5 years. We talk about admissions,financial aid and employment. We have a good orientation structure but I can see by some of your forum replies that we might try to implement some new strategies. I like the response of having a breakfest or lunch orientation and having the faculty members serve the same. Great discussion. Thank You.
To help address student fears the first day expectations should be clearly laid out. The students need to what the rules and guidelines are. They also need to know what they are going to learn and how they will be graded
On occasion i will have a student say "I dont think i can do this!" I would reasure the student and say to him/her sure you can and have one of the senior students that was having the same problem help the student out! This way they bond and support each other!
David--
Great observation. Isn't it interesting how people focus on themselves rather than seeing the big picture. Indeed...everyone is new the first week.
Susan
I always try to do some kind of group activity in the first day or two - this allows students who might not normally interact (due to age/gender/major) to talk with other students. This has been very helpful, as at least when the students return the following week, they feel like they "know" some people. They tend to forget that EVERYONE is new the first week(s) of class, and they are not the only one who might feel isolated.
Right up front I let the students know what they will need to do and how to do it so it is not such a mystery to them. This seems to help ease their fears and sets them up for success further on in class.
Bob--
Sounds like you have a great program. I especially like that your President also attends and welcomes the students. That sets a clear tone for their experience with you.
Susan
Brief overviews from departments such as Student Sersvices, Student Success, as well as faculty members who speak to concerns of incoming students at orientation, just to allay fears and dispel possible pre-conceived notions that may be false. Also, our President, Dean of Education and many department heads add to the orientation by sharing information and building morale.
I really like your references to 'family'. If that is the culture and attitude at your school, that is awesome and you should focus on ways to keep that feeling as you grow.
Susan
David--
You bring up an excellent point in that the admissions personnel really need to understand and clearly communicate the 'real experience' as you say. Retention starts in admissions with setting clear and realistic expectations. Orientation should reinforce those.
Susan
Stephen--
That is very true. Senior-itis often takes over near the end of the program and other students are, in fact, watching closely. The tendancy for faculty can be to cut them more slack than normal--which in the end hurts us all.
Great observation!
Susan
To address student fears, we once again walk them through the classes and have them meet Instructors that welcome the student to the school family. They offer the students help all the way through and comfort the students. At the end they become part of the schools family
I actually don't know, I have never attended an orientation at this particular school.
We make sure that the new students know their way around campus and are familiar with which departments are in place to help them with specific needs.
We make sure that the new students know their way around campus and are familiar with which departments are in place to help them with specific needs.
i talk about asking questions and where they can find help for issues other than academic problems
I teach in what is usually one of, if not the, last class that the students take before graduation. I have never seen the orientation process, but after thinking about it, it would be interesting to see it for myself. I think it would be interesting to listen to some of the recruiters also, to see how close the student expectation is to what they really experience.
Be leary of the seniors. These students are responsible for all of the good and also bad habits for the students that are left behind after they complete the course. If these seniors have become complacent, its so much harder to try to come back from this. I try to explain this whenever I come across these issues in class with victims of senior-itis.
