Understanding Attrition | Origin: RT101
This is a general discussion forum for the following learning topic:
Improving Retention through Timely Intervention --> Understanding Attrition
Post what you've learned about this topic and how you intend to apply it. Feel free to post questions and comments too.
A long story but it happened to me. I saw a student crying. She was almost at the end of the LPN program. I sat down with her away from others, and she explained the stressors of having an infant at home, the father left and financially strapped. I did not know about the "GAS adaption " but I knew that the the higher the stressors ,the higher the stress it put on the heart and blood vessels. So , I had a chat with her to explain the "fight or flight "response the body goes through when under stress. .She listened ,when I informed her that she has to stay strong because the " little boy " as she called him, has no one else but you ,she froze for a moment and stopped crying . Something happened to her at that moment. She stopped crying .. She found a " nice person to baby sit" and remained in the program and graduated . I put the nursing pin on her. Today I learned that I was able to flatten the "initial dip " on the curve on the GAS system. We do not see things around us some time when we are busy including myself. It was a teachable moment for me . I became a better teacher since that day.
Comment on Saraliz Jimenez's post:
I probably already knew this, but I learned that student attrition is linked to stress and that the timing and intensity of stressors influences a student’s decision to withdraw. The General Adaptation Syndrome (GAS) model illustrates how coping resources initially dip and can either rebound or deplete, influencing the student's decision to leave I intend to apply this knowledge by monitoring students for early signs of stress, intervening before their coping resources are exhausted, and connecting them to any support services that might help them persist.
Linda Williams
That stress- A demand on a person that requires an adaptive or coping response, has many facets to it and can lead to the decline of the students' perception of themselves and the ability to succeed in the program. There are positive things the school can do to help the student with this mindset
Stress is most of the reason our students give up
I learned that there are several facets to attrition, almost like "building blocks" toward quitting. Most importantly, though, early intervention is more likely to succeed than after the stress has built to the point where the student only sees quitting as the option.
The school showing commitment to their students' success will help the students stress out about their choice.
The schools show of commitment to the wellbeing of the students means EVERYTHING to retention. I will remember this through every student interaction and do my best to promote this between instructors as well.
Personal stressors play a major role in students giving up and withdrawing from courses. I learned from this course that for a student to remain in school, the student needs to be aware of the personal interest and concern of a faculty member. It's important for faculty to build a trusting 1:1 rapport and relationship with students so that students feel they are well supported. This relationship also allows for faculty to intervene early if stressors are identified.
As staff, it’s important to build committed one-on-one relationships with students to recognize shifts in their stressors and guide them in decision-making, while remembering why they began their journey. All students, regardless of academic standing, benefit from timely support and a safe space where they feel comfortable expressing themselves.
People often write of Stress like it's a bad thing. It just means a situation that forces a person to adapt and change. Sometimes that stress is good, sometimes bad. I think that Stress can be useful because it gives the student something to overcome and improve. Granted, stress like a broken vehicle, no childcare, or similar are not something that we can assist with and would be more negative in their lives. We just have to know that sometimes we can do something to help, sometimes we can't.
Acknowledging how the faculty affect both stagnation and erosion is an important aspect of ensuring that students stay with the program. Faculty can make or break student success by either adding to or reducing student stress.
Stress is the root of most students giving up and also the root of all disease!
stress is a big factor that causes students to withdraw from the course.
It is important all around that our school supports our students not only with their studies but any challenges they face that is or could affect their education. Going through training periodically is very helpful as it keeps challenges students face in the forefront as we all can forget how to help our students in these areas. Understanding what Academic Erosion Stress and Academic Stagnation Stress is can be useful when working with our students.
Doing our best as an institution to take care of our employees and students can help manage stress levels across the board to increase retention rates.
Students go through a lot of new changes as they start college on their own. Stress of finding balance between life, school, and work. As they navigate this challenge and constantly question whether it's worth going through school that is taking all of their time and focus away from what they used to enjoy. We as an educator can help them navigate these challenges by showing empathy and providing advice or a resource that will give them hope and inspiration. Focusing on how we can provide support as they go through life as a college student will help with retention and student satisfaction.
Student stress can come from many factors. The type of stress they are dealing with can affect them physically. Stress is not just a feeling, it can cause physical ailments. Speaking with students to try to support them when stressed can help to improve their experience. Often their stress can be from managing academics with outside life responsibilities.
Students stress can come from outside or inside the school. Support the student and encourage their success.
