Retaining the First Year Student Researched and developed by the CTU General Education Department

Why First Year Students Fail Inadequate preparation for the rigueur of academic study. Inadequate preparation for the rigueur of academic study. Boredom. Boredom. Low motivation or low commitment level. Low motivation or low commitment level. Outside factors such as transportation, child care or financial problems. Outside factors such as transportation, child care or financial problems. An attitude that classes are irrelevant to the real world or to the proposed career field. An attitude that classes are irrelevant to the real world or to the proposed career field. A lack of belonging to a community or social group. A lack of belonging to a community or social group. Transition problems regarding changes or demands of academic life. Transition problems regarding changes or demands of academic life. (Cuseo, n.d.) (Cuseo, n.d.)

Characteristics of Successful First Year Students They use campus support systems. They use campus support systems. - Student Tutoring - Student Services - Learning Resource Center - Admissions Advisors (Roueche, Baker, & Rouche, 1984).

They are more social with their peers They interact with study groups They develop relationships among peers (Braxton, Sullivan, & Johnson, 1997).

They have more frequent interaction faculty outside the classroom Students who interact with instructors in campus related social events are better integrated into college life and are more invested in their education. Students who interact with instructors in campus related social events are better integrated into college life and are more invested in their education. (Cuseo, n.d.). (Cuseo, n.d.).

How can I interact with students outside the classroom? Attend graduations. Attend graduations. Attend honors ceremonies. Attend honors ceremonies. Attend pinning ceremonies. Attend pinning ceremonies. Attend student sponsored picnics, dinners, or holiday activities. Attend student sponsored picnics, dinners, or holiday activities.

Consider sponsoring a student activities club An international-student support group An international-student support group A students-as-parents support group A students-as-parents support group A reading group that draws from popular student choices such as the Twilight series A reading group that draws from popular student choices such as the Twilight series A diabetes support group A diabetes support group An anime club An anime club An arts and crafts club An arts and crafts club A conflict resolution group A conflict resolution group A student car pool group A student car pool group

INSTRUCTORS’ BEST PRACTICES IN THE CLASS ROOM Learn the names of your students. Find out whether they prefer another name to that which appears on the roster and use the preferred name. Be able to call your student by name in the hallways. Students have a strong desire to feel that they belong to the CTU community. Sometimes your recognition is the only acknowledgment of belonging that they receive. Learn the names of your students. Find out whether they prefer another name to that which appears on the roster and use the preferred name. Be able to call your student by name in the hallways. Students have a strong desire to feel that they belong to the CTU community. Sometimes your recognition is the only acknowledgment of belonging that they receive.

Write the day’s agenda on the board, including page numbers to be covered and activities planned for that class meeting.

Write an inspirational quote of the day on the board. You’ll be surprised how many students include it in their notes.

Place the weekly class agenda (page numbers of text and list of activities) in your class portal Announcement page. After class, send out a mass (use the Class Roster link provided in the portal) of the same information. This will ensure that absent students find the class information for that week.

Include any in-class assignment or activity information and guidelines on the Assignment List page in the portal. When you enter the new assignment on the portal Assignment List, mark the Category as a file upload. This will create a drop-box that students can use to turn in assignments.

Familiarize yourself with the portal. It’s a very good tool and will make keeping absentee students up to date with assignments much easier.

Hand out your class schedule and due dates on the first day of class, and stick to those dates as much as possible.

Be flexible during bad weather. Students can their Power Points to you, and you can load them on the portal Class Contents page. Rather than an oral presentation, students might be required to evaluate other student’s Power Points, or to ask and answer questions via a forum that you have provided on the Assignment List. Create back-up online exams in the portal Assignment List in case of a student absence during a final or in case of bad weather absences.

Recognize those students who appear on the President’s List and the Director’s List. Congratulate them in class either vocally or by writing a congratulatory note on the whiteboard

Plan more in-class activity than you will probably be able to cover. keep students active during the entire 3 (if hybrid) or 4 hour class period. Plan for students who will finish in-class activities or assignments earlier than others and channel those students into new activities or enlist thas aids to other students or groups.

Encourage students to use the student tutoring services. Help them to set appointments by walking them to the lab. Invite a tutor to your class to promote the tutoring services. Design a specific assignment that requires a brief visit to a student tutor.

Encourage students to improve their computer skills Speak positively about the class portal.

Develop creative, interesting, and relevant weekly discussion questions or online exercises for the portal. \ This is the quickest way to create positive attitudes to the portal among students.

Fill out Early Warning sheets on any students who have missed two consecutive classes or who consistently fail to turn in assignments. Have the students sign the sheets and discuss recovery plans while recovery is still possible.

Fill out Midterm Advising forms and include recovery plans for student below a C average. Turn these in to Student Services no later than week 6.

INSTRUCTORS’ BEST PRACTICES OUTSIDE THE CLASSROOM

Be available to your students outside the class room. Have an hour when students can find you on campus to ask questions, get tutoring, or even just have a conversation with you. Let them know where they can find you in that posted hour, and be at that location.

Attend CTU sponsored activities. Some of these include Student Orientation, Honors Ceremonies, Pinning Ceremonies, Graduation, Christmas with Santa, and picnics Make a point of greeting students and meeting their families. These are highlight events for students, and they appreciate your presence.

Consider sponsoring a student social group. Do you have an interest or hobby that you can share? A social group doesn’t even necessarily have to be academic.

Check your CTU daily and respond to all student s.