I think different activities each day during the first week will be great. Also a good strategy is to call the students one or two weeks clases start. This have to be done by the facilitator of the course.

It is very important to break the ice in activities like this one. The students will start to lower their stress level and the motivation will increase.

I think the Counselors play an impotant role in the retention process. At my school counselors do a great job at the orientation, they also invite faculty and active students to share experiences and answered questions.

In the quiz on School Orientation we were asked to select some choices of things to hand out, one choice was to hand out a syllabus. The program indicated there was a preference to handing out the syllabus over information about the community. While information about the community may or may not be the best answer I think a class syllabus should be left to the individual instructor and the information discussed was about a school orientation. Perhaps something like a map of a student’s educational path would be a better choice, or something directed at services on campus or in the community for the student.

I work for a very smart man and his philosophy on student retention is “self esteem”. What he means by this is many students will create any excuse not to attend school and when you remove the barriers they still do not attend. He believes that the true reason they do not attend is their poor self-esteem. These students have esteem issues and have rarely finished anything. Our school is just another effort not completed. It is difficult to quantify his theory but I believe we have all seen it in action. Even more difficult is how to overcome it.

I have found that in some cases that if you have a student(s) that are understanding the topic better then other is kinda turn them into tutors. It makes them feel a little better about them selves and there learning if there helping there peers crasp the concept of the class room.

Understanding that Student's issues can lead to a possible withdraw. it is important that Instructors keep an watchful eye for the "signs" of a problem. Then we must act accordingly in order to point the Student in the proper direction.

I truly believe that faculty play a major role in how students determine the "value" of their educational experience. If faculty are unprepared, do not stick to their syllabus/calendar, not consistent in classroom management and other policies or not enthusiastic, this can really affect how a student sees the college. Students (especially new ones) see through the eyes of those around them, so if you have a jaded instructor taking weeks to pass back assignments and appearing unwilling to listen to student concerns, then this will be their type of approach to their college experience: NEGATIVE. But with small budgets to pay for faculty - many of whom are already worn out from their other jobs by the time they come to teach - how can we motivate and show instructors how vital their attitude, appearance and accessability are each day??

I try to make my classroom fun for the students but also make them aware that I am going to hold them to a higher standard. I often play or tease students (they know all in fun) but this makes them very comfortable with me. In opening lecture when I give them expectations I also make them aware that I am there for them at any time if they have any type of issue I dont mind them bringing it to me, but I always follow that up with, I may not be able to fix the problem but I might be able to at least make it understandable so you can deal with it. Of course if I can fix it I will do all i can. I have a very good rapor with my students and have been approached on many occations with concerns and Like I said I cant fix all of them but I believe the students have all at least left me with a better understanding of the issue and in most cases we have been able to retain the student and help on to a new carreer.

Adult motivation to learn comes at a higher price. Adult learners bring something of extreme value to the table called life experience. Adult learners need to find the WIIFM therefore the subject matter and content of the curriculum means so much more. What motivates you to learn?

There are negative instructors within the educational organization that are "allowed" to be a cancer within the organization with their attitudes and short comings. My question is why are they allowed to teach, much less, continue in the organization for years and years? I never understood that notion, especially in the public school systems involving children.

We make our orientation all about the students experience. We have candy, ballons, games, music, etc. We talk about how we can work together to help the students achieve their dreams. We even have the student write down the dream, and give us a copy so we can remind them throughout their education what their dream is. This help the students in tought times. Besides talking about all the housekeeping information we introduce the students to their program directors. Most of these students may have not met the PD, so this is a great opportunity to get even more excited about their decision to attend, and meet their director.

At our campus we insist that every department upholds the highest level of customer service. In addition, we expect the entire campus to be sales people. They need to sell the program that the student is in, as well as sell each other. What I mean by this is that we do not talk down about any departments but work together to find solutions when needed. We know that we will make mistakes, so we find it important when we do, to acknowledge the issue with the students and offer them some type of recovery.

Having had my own sales and marketing rep. firm for many years ment creating a positive culture which would lead to success for all parties involved. Sales reps like teachers talk to each other and it only takes one to bring the rest down.

Our school offers all the services discussed in this segment. Does anyone else offer anything in addition that they feel helps students?

Eq's are very much like self assessments, check yourself on a scale of one to five every week and just keep improving. Then look at your life change and the lives of those around you change.

Focusing on customer service (Smiling, Being Polite, Listening and helping all people with which you come in contact) can help both you and your contacts with your mutual Habits, Attitudes, Beliefs and Expectations. It all starts with a SMILE!!!

People tend to respect what they see others do not just what they say. Walking the walk is far more meaningful than just talking the talk. Doing what you say that you will do consistantly will instill trust.

STUDENT RETENTION WILL IMPROVE IF EVERYONE IS UP FRONT WITH WHAT IT TAKES TO SUCCEED AT YOUR SCHOOL. BEING UP FRONT WILL MAKE IT EASIER FOR THE STUDENT BECAUSE THEY THAN WILL NOT BE SURPRISE LATER DURING THEIR SCHOOLING AS TO WHAT IT TAKES TO SUCCEED. THIS SHOULD BE REPEATED MANY TIMES.