I feel that a comprehensive mentoring program would be a very positive influence on retention.
Making sure that the students show and that all departments are present
We too have implemented a campus wide orientation on first days of the term to reconnect and restate P and P
I think that our orientation is quite comprehensive for our nursing program. We have a general orientation with all the departments and a chance to introduce people and their role at the school toward the students success. On the first day of the actual class, we orient to the nursing program and what is important for the success of the program. We need to continually encourage the student to re-visit their policy and procedures and with each class revisit items that will improve the student success! Our motto is to not only supply the student with the tools of their trade but to make sure that they can graduate and get a good job. Everyone has to be a part of this goal and we all are role models to the success!
Our campus has an orientation prior to the start of class that is comprehensive and introduces students to all the important department heads on campus. I do like this idea of encouraging students get to know each other on orientation day because the first day of class is so overwhelming that having some relatinships with others formed prior to class can be a great way for students to support each other. Also, some students have complained that valuable class time is taken up with an hour of introductions.
Orientation is very important aspect of retention. We have a formal orientation that includes the President of the School, Admission Dept., FA Dept, Business Dept, Student Services, LRC, Academic Dean and Associate Academic Dean, Director and Assistant Director plus staff members.
On the first day of class the Faculty and Director have a structured orientation to the program.
However, most of us forget orientation is ongoing. The blame for students not remembering important information or P & P is placed on the student not paying attention. Students are simply overwhelmed with information.
Our current orientation program is improving and now does provide more information for the students. It does introduce the program director in a 5 minute "mingle" before the orientation begins. We are very briefly formally introduced during the program but only say "Hi, welcome and see you on start day" Alot of time is spent with the students getting to know one another. This is new. Students seem to enjoy it. We have begun to discuss classroom rules and expectations; attendance and academic policies; dress code until uniforms arrive; what to bring on the first day of class; textbook distribution etc. It is beginning to feel more student oriented and less about the admissions team. I think thse improvements will help retention.
The admission teams thinks we are scaring the students away when we talk about class rules and expectations.
It is true some students attend oprientation and do not show up on the first day of class, which upsets the admissions team. But it is far better for the student to not start than drop out. The student often discovers important points during orientation that may not have been mentioned by the admissions team in the enrollment process. (like they will really have to do homework; they can not just show up on test days and pass; they are expected to participate in class and act in a professional manner).
I think the more information we can give the student, before they start, the more likely they will graduate.
Nice thorough answer with good examples of how to make students fit in- I agree students would not like a formal effort- but a pre midterm orientation might be helpful.
We introduce each person and the students introduce themselves and they are asked to talk about their chosen program and why they decided to take this particular program at our school.
We have a virtual orientation that all online students must complete. This orientation is followed with frequent contact with our Student Services Coordinators (SSCs). The SSC's serve as mentors to help new students adjust to college and to encourage continuing students to stay on track toward their goals of graduating and then having a rewarding career.
We do the same here at our campus. I also assign students responsible for tool clean up. I find that when they are given a task like this the take ownership of the project and it gives them a sense of belonging here, not just passing through.
Yes, I meant that too! Relationships are very important and deep friendships develop in college. Thank you.
Orientattion needs to be more involved. Don't just give the students the rules and regs. Give them a tour "of sorts" to accquaint them with the school physical layout. Indroduce them to the staff, if possible. Gie them an idea of what to expect.
The idea of mentoring and advising is to encourage relationship building. Relationships matter. Just a thought.
Dr. B
What if you could give them study tips and techniques at the time of orientation. Would that help the school to retain more students?
Dr. B
We currently have an ongoing orientation program in our school (we have one scheduled today and tomorrow actually for next week's Fall Quarter start) although a thorough review of it is probably a good idea especially at this time when we are growing. Everyone is asked to get involved, from the staff in Admissions, to the Program Chairs and faculty of each department in the Educational Services, to our Career Services and the Management team. Each aspect of orienting a new student is covered and an ideal scenario would be to involve all instructors as well. I think to be able to increase and maintain a good retention rate is to also ask the part time faculty to join and participate as they handle most evening classes. However, we do have the involvement of our student ambassadors that also are there to represent the tutoring program. A great idea is to add a mentoring program that I truly believe would help in strenghtening ties between faculty/staff and the students. We have so much room for improvement in our orientation programs and I believe we are on our way to establishing a stronger foundation and keep developing it as technology evolves.
our orientation is a one day proccess with a lot of focus on financial aid. If we were to make it a two day event which would include a more clear housing arrangement, whats expected out of the student when they start, and the policys the school has to succeed. All of this should be addressed before orientation, and before enrollment, however this is not the practice of our school. Policys and rules are discussed when the student has already enrolled.
I so much agree with you. Why? Instructors can share war stories about the profession. This will help you to keep a student's vision alive and well.
Dr. B
And yet, students want to talk with instructors to learn more about career options. Always try to link faculty at the front end of the enrollment process.
Dr. B
Good input. The problem we often face is the time instructors have available to contribute and, of course, the level of desire on thier part.
