Ready or Not, They Will Come

1
Ready or Not, They Will Come

• How To Advise Underprepared Students

By Keith Bundy and Deana Hueners
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Understanding the Situation

• 29 of first-year college students enrolled in
  remedial reading, writing, or math - Chronicle
• About 25 of high school grads are adequately
  prepared for college-level work in English, math,
  science, and reading comprehension ACT
• 45.5 of DSUs incoming freshmen enroll in
  pre-general education courses - BOR

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Remedial vs. Gen Ed Enrollments
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Compounding the Problem

• Poor skills may inhibit a students ability to
  understand resources and to ask the right
  questions
• Many students who are placed in remedial courses
  have a high graduating rank and/or GPA. They may
  have unrealistic expectations for college.

5
An Optimistic Outlook

• Underprepared students are capable of changing.
• Underprepared students can learn how to study,
  how to set goals, and how to get involved in the
  academic community.
• Underprepared students can become motivated
  learners.
• Underprepared students can and do graduate.

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Common Characteristics of Underprepared Students

• Dependent learners with low self-concept
• Unrealistic expectations
• Inadequate study skills
• Multiple deficiencies in basic skills
• Unfocused career objectives
• Hesitant to seek the support services needed

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How Can You Help?

• Take a pro-active approach
• Assess the situation
• Help students set goals
• Refer students to appropriate resources
• Help students deal with issues as they arise
• Academic Probation
• Academic Suspension

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Get to Know Your Advisee

• Look at their placement report. Be aware of what
  remediation is required.
• Ask questions to help determine strengths and
  weaknesses.
• Review the differences between high school vs.
  college expectations/requirements.
• Help advisees choose classes and schedules that
  create the best opportunities for success.

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Build a Trusting Relationship

• Spend time visiting with students to set them at
  ease.
• Focus on one deficiency at a time. Attacking all
  at once can feel like a personal attack.
• Help students learn to build on their strengths.

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Use Intrusive Techniques

• Initiate contact with your advisee. Underprepared
  students arent likely to take the first step.
• Send emails, stop students in the hall, set up
  monthly meetings. Dont allow students to slip
  under the radar.
• Remind students of important policies and
  requirements.

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Improve Basic Skills

• Help students understand the importance of
  possessing reading, writing, and math skills.
• Do not exhibit a negative attitude toward these
  classes in an attempt to connect with the
  student.
• Recommend activities/resources for students to
  use to improve basic skills.

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Make Appropriate Referrals

• Understand the resources available
• DSU Tutor Resourcespersonal and online
• Student Success Center
• Counseling services
• ADA services
• Assist students in arranging appointments and/or
  follow-up with them.

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Help Students Take Control

• Teach students how to set realistic goals. Help
  them develop a plan to achieve those goals.
• Help students develop a schedule. Stress that
  they must put academics first and should expect
  to study more than they did in high school.
• Help students explore career options. Students
  without clear major/career goals lack direction.

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Provide Regular Feedback

• Accentuate the Positive
• Help students recognize their successesno matter
  how small at first
• Remind students of their strengths
• Monitor Their Goals
• Hold them responsible
• Help them adjust goals and/or action plans

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Helping Students Deal with Consequences

• Academic Probation
• Academic Suspension

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Resources

• DSU Academic Advising Handbook
• Differences between High School/ College talking
  point sheet
• Student Development website

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Bibliography

• "Most College-Bound Students Underprepared,
  Studies Say." Recruitment Retention in Higher
  Education. Magna Publications. 22 Aug. 2006
  lthttp//www.magnapubs.com/products/1205RR.html?sg
  hpMEOSEZgt.
• South Dakota High School to College Transition
  Report 2005 High School Graduates. 19 Oct. 2006.
  SD Board of Regents. 07 Feb. 2007
  lthttp//www.sdbor.edu/publications/documents/narr
  ative.pdfgt.
• Gordon, Virgina N. and Wesley R. Habley.
  Adcademic Advising A Comprehensive Handbook. San
  Francisco Jossey-Bass, 2000.