Student, What is Your Plan?

Well, I heard a conversation today between two students, who decided that they did not want to stay in college. As the conversation continued, they also discussed the fact that they did not want to work either. Okay, what do you make of this kind of mindset? They don't have a plan to succeed, but they have a plan to fail.

I remember listening to my parents' conversations about planning vacations when I was younger. One of the things that they kept in my ears is the fact that I needed to write things down and plan. When I was a teenager, my mother always said, "Before you invite your friends over on a Saturday for lunch, you need to plan it." That phrase always made me mad, because I never heard anyone my age ever talking about planning a luncheon for their teenage friends. Let's push the "fast forward" button to my lifestyle as an adult. You guessed it. Yes, I plan everything. Wow! My parents did an excellent job! I get it. A plan is a guide that helps you to achieve. That is how I can best describe it.

Due to the advancement of technology, the ways in which we do everything has changed.  In the traditional classroom, there are computers and smartboards. If you happen to be an online student, you use a computer as your tool to login to your courses. Our depency on technology has placed a limit on our face-to-face communication skills. I enjoy technology, but I realize that we have to keep a balance. I find that when students struggle in a particular subject they won't talk to anyone, because many of them register online. I've asked students about their college advisors. They don't know who these people are. Okay, it is time to come up with a plan, because students need to know who to go to when they need help.

Student's Success Plan

• When you register in person find out the name of the person, who registers you.
• When you register online, call the main office and ask who your advisor or student support representative is.
• Acquire the advisor's name, office number, and email address. 
• Place the advisor's information in your cell phone.
• Introduce yourself to your advisor via email, phone, or in person.
• Read the college's website to find out where the tutoring center is.
• Find out the name of your instructor, the email address, and the office hours.
• When you have a problem with your course work, see the instructor first. The schedule and contact information is included on the syllabus. Discuss your concern with your instructor via email and the telephone. Call and email until you receive feedback. *Call more than once.
• When you have the conversation with your instructor, write down your instructor's suggestions. 
• If you need to have tutoring contact the office. 
• Meet two people in your class that you can study with. Ask them for their email addresses and cell phone numbers. This is your in-class support system.
• Visit or call your advisor periodically to discuss your college career plan and your post college plan.
• See your school's website or your advisor for presentations and events that are of interest to you.
• Attend online webinars about your specific field of interest.
• Attend seminars, symposiums, workshops, and other networking events within your field of interest.
• Apply to internships.    

Congratulations, you are on the road to a successful journey!        
  

The Classroom Plan

It has been eight years since I began teaching as an adjunct instructor. My desire was to teach speech courses at the college level. Now I teach speech communication courses and English composition courses. In 2008, I graduated with a Master's degree in Education Technology and in 2010, I completed my MBA degree with a concentration in marketing. Returning to school has helped me to understand how the advancement of technology has changed education forever. The classroom of the 21st century requires educators to have a plan that makes them more marketable. Many educators have their on consulting businesses. They network and have a following through websites, social media, and blogs.   

My mission is to help students to discover themselves. It is my responsibility to set the tone for classroom success by how I strategize my training. Yes, when my students struggle, it is my job to ask why and offer a plan.

My plan for success in the classroom includes:

• Enthusiasm
• Dedication 
• Strong Listening Skills
• Patience
• Creative Projects    

I developed this plan, because I want my students to experience learning. It is exciting to see students succeed. Over time I have learned so much from them. I believe that there is a plan to fail and a plan to succeed. However, it is my goal to help my students to value education as an investment. This is the way I see it:

Portfolio

• Education    

Products

• Pre-School
• Elementary School
• Middle School
• High School
• College
• Graduate School

Planning

• Lectures
• Classroom Technologies
• Discussions
• Homework
• Classwork
• Parent/Teacher Conferences
• Group Projects
• Class Trips
• Guest Speakers
• Presentations
• Networking Events

Solutions

• Parents
• Administrators
• Teachers
• Instructors
• Guidance Counselors
• Tutors
• Tutoring Centers
• Study Labs
• Study Partners
• Study Groups

   The Best Return

• A lifestyle with endless opportunities. 

Using Hands-On Projects To "Break the Ice"

Since I am visual, I map out the type of projects that students enjoy. This also is a great way to help them to break the ice. Working with a generation that has spent a lifetime with technology, interactive projects that include technology creates balance. They have options to create products (example: by making a couch out of cardboard) or plan an event (example: a fashion show as a fundraiser that takes place in the classroom). These projects help to strengthen listening skills, social skills, and etiquette skills. I focus on these skills, because we need to know how to communicate effectively with one another in the world. Sometimes I do "the meeting project, which is so much fun. Students solve a corporate problem by conducting a meeting.

Moving Forward 

This recession gives us the opportunity to reassess our values. As educators, we need to change the way we think. Teaching is a service. It is necessary for us to understand how to incorporate technology in the training process. Make networking a daily goal. There are many people to talk to about education. Begin to communicate via social media. You will find many educators, who are waiting to brainstorm with you.

Students can have great success, but it begins with dedication to self. As students, it is important to make sacrifices now. Begin to journal. Through writing daily, you will get to know yourself. Be a leader. You owe it to yourself to think for yourself so that one day you can make decisions for others.