Handling Issues
I have found that many of my students are unable to handle everyday problems or more serious life issues that happen to them. Anything from a car breaking down to a death in the family may cause them to go missing for weeks. What I realized is that the individuals that they go to for advice are unable to help them cope and resolve the problems. Many times those same individuals make the problem worse or do not see school as a priority when advising my students how to handle those issues. So when students advise me of issues they are having I try to help them work through their own problem solving or conflict management. It generally helps them to successfully move past any setbacks and get back into classroom quicker.
great observation and our students have similar issues. We have students that try helping their classmate
Sandy,
Too true! So many times all the students need is encouragement.
Susan Backofen
I also see students that have no skill set, these are usually my younger students, and if at all possible I do pair these students up with one of my more mature students who's life experiences prove invaluable to the younger student. I also find that some of my students have never had any expectations put onto them so they are totally clueless as far as what they are capable of doing and achieving, this I have to attribute to the support system they have at home, they feel as though they cannot possibly succeed in a college setting.
I find this to be true as well. The younger students don't seem to have a solid skill set in which to pull from when disaster strikes.
the more situations that you encounter it teaches you how to approach life's adversity and move forward in the midst of your storms. After while the same issues that use to be a problem don't bother you and you're not affected nor do you respond the same as before. You've martured and the problem got smaller because you didn't expend energy into something that really had little value in the first place. You becamecalmer with life and wiser.
Travis,
That is probably true. Unfortunately, those social issues often supercede academic concerns. It is a good practice, however, to get them to focus. At work, the social issues don't matter. We need to help them learn to transition.
Susan Backofen
My students seem more concerned about social issues rather than academic success. I tell them to try and leave their "baggage" at the door of my institution. Everybody has issues and problems that arise daily. I communicate to my students that I am here to support them and to offer sound advice for their future.
Adult students seem to be able to take the blows that life throws at them and still manage to continue their education. Life experience makes it easier to succed when you have survived failures in the past
Christine,
I agree. Many students, however, don't have this skill set and so providing some 'mentoring' opportunities with individuals who can help them think through these issues is often helpful.
Susan Backofen
I also have noticed this issue with the students at our school. Maturity and experience may play a role with handling issues, but allowing a student to work through their conflict would be beneficial to them. It is important for students to understand how to get through the issues, and be able to still focus on their education.
Life skills seems to be an unspoken tool we are to help equip our students with. This is more time consuming then teaching at times however if the connection is made for the student and the relationship between the student and instructor strengthens it helps with the overall goal of completing the course... :)
I agree some students need guidance in problem solving and how to manage conflict. Our role as faculty is to be an active listener and provide support when needed
BY Mary Ruise
I too have experienced this conflict. I notice a change in a student I approach them with a question that does not seem like I'm trying to pry into his or her life. When they open up I make sure to encourage them and that they can be successful in his or her education.
I agree with you Lauren. I feel like when things go "wrong" for our students, their first thoughts are to either not attend class, or to leave early to deal with whatever is happening in their personal life. I've had a few students in the past couple of weeks who were clearly experiencing something stressful to them, and it was affecting their class presence and participation. I tried to help them problem solve, and come up with solutions so that they could effectively handle their situation.
this is a great observation and our students have similar issues. We have students that try helping their classmate and upset them worse than they had been. Helping the student resolve the issue tends to be a problem for us to because allot of the students tell lies to get a easier load!
Lauren,
Excellent observation. While our students may have support systems in place, they aren't always ones that provide provide an objective view of long-term outcomes that support student goals. This is a life skill that you seem to be helping your students acquire.
Susan Backofen
I agree Lauren! It seems as though our student poplulation do not know how to cope or lack problem solving skills. Often they have the solution to their problem, they just need to be guiding or given the confidence to solve it on their own. And of course there are the students who come to you to solve their problems as if you have a crystal ball. You don't have childcare - how did you expect to attend your classes? Its the entitlement factor that I struggle with in deal with the Millenial generation.
