I'm pleasantly surprised with how much I've learned so far. I did not consider that many students start school/college because of instability in their personal lives. That definitely helps me to look at things (orientation and first week activities) from a different perspective.
Students are very smart shoppers when it comes to educations. When attending private schools the expect a good service from everyone in the college. The experience they receive in admissions should be the same with everyone on campus. It is a great idea to think as a student.
The key to any effective student participation is to have someone who is actively involved in running this program.
I think it makes sense that students want to feel like they are getting their money/times worth from their schools. One of the most frequent phrases I hear from students who have complaints is "im paying all this money and...."
another way to look at what students perceive.
I like this course and how it emphasizes that students expectations are higher than we often think. There are many areas where institutions can add value to the student educational experience and this course highlights them well.
We need to ensure the students are able to see the value in what they are gaining to ensure they want to continue coming back to class for each session. We need to make sure the instructors are knowledgeable and can build that trusting rapport.
Always important the remember that it should be guaranteed that students have qualified and prepared faculty.
The content so far in my mind reminds me of the following important sometimes overlooked key points;
In rare cases, adult students may enroll to fulfill social needs.
Traditional students are also enrolling because of a defined need.
Because the vast majority of students are enrolling to alleviate their immediate problem, It is important to remember this as you develop your orientation program.
The importance of the value equation.
I took away valuable information to help with maintaining retention, the main one is allowing sufficient time to successfully finish all course components.
Very informative. Building Institututional credibility is crucial, and it's also important to make sure our students feel valued.
I learnt that the institution must always seek to give value to it's students so that they can finish their program which means the students' needs must always be our first priority.
Make sure that all information given to students are as accurate as possible so they can succeed in the best way.
Help the students feel comfortable by having them meet with current students (peers) to help ease with the transition
This part makes me think that in this world filled with automated services, education should not be one, and helping student or guiding them for that matter seams to be the only way to have SOME success in retention. However, help to just follow a work protocol will not be effective at all. Care is felt and doing the job but just following protocols also is felt and it feels detached.
The value always needs to be higher than the cost associated with staying in school. Always look at the BIG picture and what the outcome of staying in will do for you in the end!
To retain students the school and all its staff must have 100% buy in commitment to the job at hand. Students don't magically stay in school. The fears they have are real and staff and faculty must be aware of what takes place within a new student starting. Being committed and taking ownership for all of us in the school industry is key to keeping students enrolled in school. Talk is cheap, best practices must be implemented on a daily basis without fail to ensure as many students stay in school and who feel they're getting their money's worth.
Implement and utilize student/mentor relationships.
I never considered all the ways students weigh the value to cost in deciding to stay in school. Lots of great information here!
To make the finance department and other departments more accessable when students are at school especially the first week or two of class. Having current students at orientation is also a good idea. New students will probably have a better comfort level after speaking with a current student.
