They are focused and determined to succeed regardless of their circumstances. They are organized and understand their goals and what it takes to accomplish them.
Thanks, Julia.
I encourage all my faculty members to require students to contact them and to send students who miss materials to help them stay caught up.
Communication on every level. Let the students know you are there for them and if you can't help them guide them to someone who can. Make them accountable for their actions, one example is I ask them to email me if they will not be in class so I can rely the lesson plan for the day or let them know what they are missing, the consequence when they don't do it is lose of professioanl points, I tell them it's like a job, would you just not show up for work or would you communicate your reasons why you aren't able to be there.
I have found that I have to remind my students that they are not in high school anymore because what they learn now will be used everyday when they graduate and get a job. The bad habits they have developed over the years can be tweaked slowly and in a positive way.
Thanks, Edward. Good post!
Most of the replies that I see in regards to this question make reference to the successful students, emphasizing to me the obvious; don’t quit, stay focused on goal, very visible, completes assignment on time, support system, willingness to try, open to suggestions, etc. All of these are fantastic characteristics of any student I would love to have in class. All of these mentioned trait remind me of a comment I once heard when I taught high school. “Anyone can teach the ‘A’ student because of their self motivation…â€. It’s the students that have not been successful in the past because of the self fulfilling prophecy that constantly reminds them that they can’t. These are the harder student to teach, to coach, to mentor, to reassure that they can be successful.
My success has been to get them on board with my philosophy and expectations of them. This develops into trust and with trust you can just about manage them to the point about why it is important for them to stay in school and graduate. Also reminding the student to take one day at a time. Be successful one day at a time.
I notice these same things. I can tell usually by the time they turn in the first assignment who will succeed and continue on in my class and who will eventually drop the class. The successful ones are go getters and work hard, email me with questions and attend the live chats - the others turn their work in late or not at all, i have to contact them and chase them for their work it seems. Its very interesting semester after semester and the patterns are the same.
The habits I see in the successful students are from day one they are engaged in the DB's, the classes, the live chats etc. The other students you can usually tell from the first week if they will not make it as they do not attend the chats, turn their work in late etc. The successful students just have a different attitude, thirst and hunger for the education that they are paying for.
Successful students are focused, they have a goal or vision and they are persistent. Successful students are also committed to doing the work required to be successful in their academic endeavors.
Thank you, Paul.
What are some things you do to try to change the perceptions of your Generation Y students?
I am reminded of the Henry Ford quote here. "No matter if you think you can or you can't, you're right." this seems to be the HABE of generation X and Baby Boomers. Generation Y students believe they are entitled.
This module says that people learn their HABE's early in life. The students that have good habits and attitudes also have a drive to do more than is reqiured. Some others do what is the minimum required to pass the class , also with missing the maximum time allowed.
I think we can change their atitudes while they are in our class but not change them for life.We can hope that we can change their habits and attitudes for good ones that will last a lifetime.
Thomas,
Thank you for this post. What are some things you do intentionally to try to help students who do not already have these HABEs to develop them?
Some of the HABE's I see in successful students are good work ethics. They are self starters and eager to get to get the task finished. They probably had good role models at home (parents) that taught them the benifits of completing a chore with the satisfaction of a job well done.
My most successful students do not make excuses. While they may lack time management or study skills upon entering the term, they are not afraid to seek out help when necessary. Those that are unsuccessful, are unable to recognize the obstacles that might be easily overcome. When adults are accustomed to a lifestyle that revolves mainly around themselves or their children, it's hard for them to prioritize and to eliminate bad habits from their routine. Sometimes it takes sitting down with the student and outlining their daily life to help them to recognize what steals their time. Often times it is something as simple as making out a schedule that helps a student to be more successful.
Students that are successful also have good support systems. Even if they are first generation college students, their families and friends encourage and help when possible. They babysit, give rides to campus or just say good job. This support fosters a positive attitude toward education in general.
their ability to keep on learning about new things everyday
The HABES of my most successful students are such things as being on time for class, turning in assignments on time, and truly believing that can succeed. Being positive and pro-active seperates them from students who were not successful.
How correct you are! Studying is a habit and getting a routine set up.
Habits are by far a strong indicator of success - I've found that thouse students that make it a habit to always do their work and always particpate, etc. do much better than those that don't have that established habit.
My successful students have a can do attitude and keep up with their weekly work as it is due.
They have bright and positive expectations of their future success that they will gain with their degree.
They study diligently for their exams and it shows.
Ginger Little
