Get Your Students Hired
Hi Amy,
You are right! Students really appreciate honesty from us, simply because they value our opinion.
Patricia Scales
I agree Todd if students know that we are here for them and not the pay check and show that we care the students will act differant. Once the student is in a defensive mode it my be hard to get them out of it.
I totally agree with this especially when it is an adult student. I just had a student in my office this morning and at the end of the conversation his closing remarks were. "I really appreciate you being open and honest with me." Many times they just need to bounce something off of us in order to have confidence in the decision that they are making.
Hi Denise,
Students need a good solid plan,otherwise they are lost. We have to be there to help guide our students. Our students need us for a sense of direction amongst other things.
Patricia Scales
Having a directed plan. Outline what is expected of them, advise them in the appropriate direction to take, positive reinforcement.
Hi Marlene,
We are there to help our students. We should always make our students feel comfortable whenever they need assistance. An unapproachable instructor is definitely in the wrong business.
Patricia Scales
I very much agree that in order to help alleviate obstacles to academic success,it is important that the instructor encourages the student to express what they perceive is the source of their difficulty.This is done while the instructor listens attentively,in a non judgmental manner.Strategies to enhance academic achievement are then discussed and geared to the individual learner.The advisement plan is derived through mutual agreement by the student and the instructor.It is important the student feels comfortable approaching their instructor for further assistance.
Hi June,
Students love knowing/feeling that we as educators GENUINELY care about them!
Patricia Scales
Hi Mary,
Listening is key! When students present challenges that are beyond my scope, I too find experts to help them. Students want to be listened to, and they are looking for solid advice.
Patricia Scales
I think the most effective way to advise students is first listen without interruption. Take notes and repeat the important parts so the students knows I am listening. When advising my student I make sure I am knowledgable in their topic of discussion (if not then I get assistance), provide every resource to the student for them to do research and set up follow up appointment.
Listening and observing. The more I understand about a student's situation, the easier it is for me to guide them along the appropriate chanels to help them be successful in reaching their goal. However, not all my students have been so easy. So then, I ask more questions to try and draw out more information. It is important they feel comfortable with me and that they see and hear a genuineness in my tone and mannerism so that they are more receptive and likely to open up.
Hi Jennifer,
I love your perspective! You and I are definitely on the same page! It is simple, as you stated, treat others the way you would like to be treated!
Patricia Scales
Hi Cybil,
Students love knowing they are really cared about. We need to be our students biggest cheerleader!
Patricia Scales
One of the biggest complaints that I hear from students is that advisors do not give them undivided attention. Our team is focusing on providing that individual attention by not allowing ringing telephones, emails, and other interruptions to distract us from that student.
I agree Todd that students need to feel that we actually care about them and that it is sincere and genuine. When we start from that perspective, it enables the student to feel less defensive and reactionary towards us. That has been my experience in working with some of our students.
Key components are letting the student know you care. A little kindness can go a long way. It is important to end on a positive note when advising and not a negative one. Providing customer service should be taken into account. As I like to think - treat others how you wish to me treated.
Hi Jeff,
I agree! Each student is different, and you advise on a case-by-case basis. I follow the same tactic.
Patricia Scales
Not all advising is the same. It is all about the student and their problem & their attitude in my opinion. I advise some students "like I'm doing them a favor" to get the response that I'm looking for. Some students I talk to at lunch in a very informal setting and then there is the ones that you have to be hard core with, paper work and all.
To me the key is observation. I take my que from the student and how they act. What makes it tough is I only have these students for 3 weeks at a time so I have to pay attention in class and in lab so I dont take the wrong approach
Hi Cheryl,
I concur! We need to be the professional that we want our students to become. Lead by example!
Patricia Scales
Hi Vanessa,
Our students want to and need to know that we genuinely care about their success.
Patricia Scales