The burgeoning of the number of career colleges throughout the U.S., has created competition between the private colleges/universities, public colleges/universities, and virtually every post secondary institution in the country. This is not a bad thing, because it opens the door wider for opportunity to the traditional and non-traditional student. Virtually all of these institutions have different policies and procedures. In addition many of them rely on the student's ability to get federal funding, or scholarship monies. To acquire and keep these students interested, and within the institution's walls is more than a full time job. Faculty, staff and the students… >>>

It is difficult to be able to know when a student needs intervention, unless he/she comes to tell you about his/her problem(s). Each problem must have a discreet set of circumstances, and solutions. To counsel effectively, the instructor must be able to understand the sequence, and the gravity of the situations. For instance, if the rent is due tomorrow, and the student needs money to pay the rent, coming to you the day before levaves little time for the instructor to take action. In order for the student to solve his/her problems, time must be alloted for planning, resources acquisition,… >>>

There are two types of stress: eustress-or good stress, when the student anticipates a positeve event; or the stress we are mostly familiar with the strain of dealimg with problems that are difficult to overcome. For most students we are concerned with the stresses that arise from attending college and personal stress, the inability to pay the rent, or some other such problem, which is not easily rectifiable. Solving the "problem" stress and the issues that it causes, can be unmanageable. Dealing with positve stress, is much easier of course, allowing the individual a number of different, choices resulting in… >>>

Unfortunately there is no "magic formula" to retain students in post-secondary education institutions. There are a number of reasons students leave, no one reason is responsible for the student becoming disenchanted with his/her effort to change their life. To retain a student, it would appear that several different methods must be employed, and consistenly used. Basic to the problem of student loss, is to find out WHY the student is leaving. Also, how firm is the decision to depart. In attaining answers to these questions, the difficulty resides in the truthfulness of the answers. ARE the reasons the students give… >>>

Dr. Meers, In reading the information, it brought to mind a quote from Yul Brenner, when he was performing the "King and I." A reporter asked to interview him, but was told he was busy rehearsing his lines. Later when the reporter was able to speak with Mr. Brenner, he asked him why he rehearsed so frequently. Mr. Brenner's reply was, "Because I want my character to be perfect. It is the least I owe my audience." I often think about the quote and the effort he put forth to perfect his craft. We teachers owe our students nothing less… >>>

For some instructors motivating students is a "hit or miss proposition!" On some days the instructor is vibrant, enthusiastic and interesting. On other days the instructor is slow, losing the train of thought and poorly informed. An excellent instructor must be like and actor, giving a performance of "Hamlet." He must study his lines, know his cues, and when to involve the audience, (the class.) All of this goes into motivation. And the motivation emanates from the individual student or class itself. The instructor acts as fuel, buring bright, or just an ember after the fire has died down. He… >>>