The Value Equation
Consider the value equation (retention = perceived value/cost). Other than tuition, what are the 3 most common costs that your students say they have? What perceived values do you help them understand that helps them to offset those costs?
Steve--
Great question. Time (to study, away from family and friends) is always in the top of their perceived cost equation. We need to keep them focused on the end goal.
Susan
maintaning housing, juggleing a job and school. most students try really hard to keep up with daily tasks and maintain a good GPA
A decent place to live, a job that will allow them time to maintain their study time (GPA) while allowing them to have some social time and will they learn enough to get the job that they are dreaming of. At Ford Fact and I an proud to be a part of the Ford training (manufacture specific training), it is easy for the students to see that they are getting a good value for their education and that what they are learning will indeed help them reach their goals and dreams, I love this progam!
I believe by far most students feel the greatest cost is time. Because many students are working and going to school this greatly affects how much free time they have. For many it is time away from family members or just the ability to relax.
Knowing that their training is going to lead to a great career is what keeps them going.
The 3 I hear the most about are housing, travel expense, and costs of food etc: Some we are able to help with by suggesting alternatives like "buy your gas over here because it's cheaper", suggestions on where to buy items that are always needed, and even something like "learn how to cook because it's usually better for you" and you will save money by not going out to eat. Many of our students are away from home for the first time and do not know how to live on their own or budget their money.
Errol--
I'm sure your passion for the program comes through loud and clear!
Susan
Steven--
Absolutely correct. Time is a huge factor and students often don't realize just what the cost here really will be. Keeping them focused on the end goal is very helpful.
Susan
Bob--
Those are very helpful suggestions and things that we (educators) often don't address. Students who are away from home generally don't think about the basic things and are definitely uncomfortable asking.
Susan
The 3 most common struggles I hear about from students are time, transportation and its expenses,and financial or money struggles. When a class starts I set up a buddy list of phone numbers and E-mails so they can get in contact with one another. This way they can get rides to school or carpool to class to save money. They can also discuss and work on their class assignments. I also mention and encourage the students to use the Food Pantry at the school or the Community Food Banks. I also encourage them to finish their resumes and start to pursue and think about areas of the country they may want to work. I also stress living by the values of Honesty and Integrity in all they do.
Gregory--
The buddy list is an excellent idea! This also helps them to build support groups and keep each other in school.
Susan
What 3 I hear is food rent travel ( gas auto repair ) on food I tell them that fast food cost a lot try to make there lunch not much I can do about rent on auto repair I tell them to shop around for the parts and then come see me for help on the repair
Our students have many costs. Trying to earn a living while attending school full time cuts into their sleep and social time. Most are barely getting by financially. I try to encourage them by telling them of former students of mine and what they're doing after graduation.
Douglas--
Good for you...keeping them focused on the desired end goal is important. Telling them 'real' stories of others who have made the sacrifices and survived and excelled is encouraging.
Susan
Housing being number 1,food number 2,and fuel-car repairs number 3-I just asked my students.
Itell them to get a roomate,shop for cheaper prices and to stay off the lunch trucks and the vending machines
Timothy--
Taking a very practical are approach to these external factors is great. Students are often hesitant to admit these are issues, but certainly can cause them to struggle in their studies. Great job!
Susan
housing, bills, food, transportation.
one of my favorite things to tell them is that education brings back the investment in a number of ways, jobs / money / more education, its kind of like o rolling ball , if you start the ball down a angle it goes alot farther than on a flat surface or a up hill climb. think positive!!!!!!!!!!always give them a little more of what they expected, and you will do fine.
Most of them are concerned with food, gas, utilities, rent costs, and general spending money, especially if they came from out of state and do not work yet.I try to get them to "see" the future where they will have a job and repay these costs.
Trying to find the balance between a full time job, full time school, and sleep and fit some social life can be challenging for anyone. You add to that the fact that most of our students have left home for the first time. They are away from family, friends – their entire support group. By the time they reach Ford fact most have been able to work it out. When I am dealing with students shortly after arriving in school they are struggling to find that balance. I first start out by expressing my respect and appreciation for what they are dealing with. I encourage them to exchange phone numbers with fellow students in case they need transportation or whatever. I encourage them to utilize the campus support systems-counselor, student pantry. There have been countless times when just giving a listening caring ear can make all the difference. I had a recent example where a student had an intolerable living situation. By sharing with students, he had 2 offers for alternative housing.
Like most everyone else I here about time, and work and school schedule. This takes away from family and social life. I try to help them see that what seem like it will last forever and they will spend the rest of there life in school, in the grand scheme of things is a short time and when its over they will be in a better place to help the people they care about and give themselves and there family a better life. That there is an end in sight and when it’s done they will be able to get a job doing something they love doing and get paid to do it and buy cool toys.
