Negative Nellies
I have one very glass-half-empty student in my class. What are some strategies for helping this student to become a more positive person? She is bright and wants to succeed, but her attitude is not assisting her in her goal.
It is very important to find out why the student thinks the way she does. Set an appointment for the both of you to meet. Make sure you are open and not judgemental when approching her. Let your student know that you think very highly of her and you know she can succeed in your program. Explain to her that you would like to get to know her a little more outside the classroom.
During the meeting ask her about her short term and long term goals. Ask her if she has a support system to help her reach those goals. More than likely you will be able to get an answer from her to why she is a negative thinker. If you don't find out why she thinks the way she does within the first meeting, allow your student to know you are available if she wants to talk again. Don't force her to open up, creat a warm environment and allow her to approach you again when she is ready.
Hi Catherine,
Two approaches can be used with a student like this. One, find out the reason for everything being seen as half-empty. There may be pressures that are putting her in this situation. Sometimes by talking with a student and listening you can get them excited about the course and motivated to work at being successful.
The other approach can be to set her up for success. If she has some success in the class with the general class assignments or if you can get her to do a special project where she finds out that she is better than she thinks she is she will move to the half full glass and develop more self motivation.
Gary
Hi Laticia,
Thanks for sharing this excellent advice with us.
Gary
I like those answers, Dr Meers. To me the key is the listening piece so I can discover the student's needs. I always look for ways to connect what is being done in class to their career field but if we can also attach their dreams or goals to the picture it can become a good way to get them motivated to succeed.
Hi Catherine-
I've encountered this in class and have even seen it with some of my personal friends. It is difficult to find a place that has sunshine with students like this. My personal experience is to spend some time with the student away from the classroom - have them meet with you after class and figure out what their goals are, what makes them happy, what they like/dislike about the class and ask for suggestion. From my experience, the most negative students are the ones who feel like they are out of the realm of control. Do not let this student control you, of course, but look for feed back and make the learning environment more positive in that manner? Hopefully that helps.
What do you do when you have about 3 or 4 of these half-empty students?
Hi Cathryn,
I talk with them individually to get a "read" on where they are coming from and to see if I can get them excited about a topic or idea in the course. If that doesn't work I include the students in all aspects of the course but let them decide the outcome of course, which means that they don't do well. I have found that the majority slowly catch fire and get involved in the course. Others just occupy space and then leave the program. This makes me sad but I do know I have done all I can do to help them be successful. We can't get them all even though we really want to.
Gary
Hi Catherine,
This is a situation that happens a lot. I think talking with the student one-on-one in a private setting is most important. Setting positive goals and also reinforcing to her that she can achieve them will help. Sometimes the students do not have a support system at home, and this is a great way to help.
Even if you set short-term goals, and go week by week it won't seem so overwhelming to her.
Well, remember "I am realistic, my friend is inclined to pessimism, whereas *you* are a gloomy Gus"! In other words, what you see as someone who looks at the downside of things may, from that person's viewpoint, only represent a correct assumption about the realities of her life.
As someone who can bring a dank and foggy cloud to practically any undertaking, I can testify to the fact that those who think the glass is half-empty really have looked into it, and know what they feel as a result.
Has she been exposed to The Pacific Institute curriculum? If not, I highly recommend it. If this is not an option, try showing the DVD, The Secret, in your class. This way, you're not singling her out and her attitude may change after she views it.
Hi Rachel,
Good recommendation to help this student. The DVD is a good way to help a student work on the attitude situation. Thanks for sharing this resource.
Gary
