I agree, it was helpful to have ideas for retention and the importance of starting those good practices right from the start.

Yes I do agree. It's very important to keep track of the students time and attendance and follow up with the students to see what is going on before it is too late.

I agree that establishing a supportive, caring environment from the beginning is important. Knowing our students is often a key component of recognizing when something is wrong and being able to intervene before it's too late.

As educators, we face many of the same challenges regarding student retention. The course was very timely for me as we are in the process of researching campus wide customer service training. Our retention task force is actively assessing our strategies and launching new initiatives.

As an instructor, when I find out retention is due to pure lazy attitudes, one has to question why are they in school?

Being lazy is not going to keep them in a professional job is it?

I have very good retention rates. I think it is because I try to show the students how much I care about them. I keep an eye out for absent students and those that are falling behind. I have even called a student on the phone and have emailed them at times as well. I try not to sound authorative in nature and gently remind them I am here if they need anything but I am concerned they are not going to pass if they don't catch up. That seems to help tremendously.