This summer (and last) I taught (fulltime) Intro to Biochemistry which is mainly taken by students in Nursing pre-program. Most have not taken College 101 and I have been wanting to incorporate more mentoring and College 101 topics in this introductory course. I cannot recall a semester when I am not asked to take late assignments or to rearrange an assessment for work- related reasons. Each semester some students are very surprised by the amount of studying required for our class or the rigor involved.
Try as I have for many years to impart some of these truths, I decided about two years ago to meet with all students 1:1 so they could have an instructor who invites them to share and lets them know we are willing to help them find answers to questions about NWTC.
I have noticed more interaction among the students after these meetings and I am sure that some meetings also save some students time and effort when they decide to clarify for themselves how to 'do school'.
I find Starfish to be very helpful too, but not all students know how to use it.
Sometimes it is easy to think students know where the library/ assessment center/ BATHROOM is located, but I find each summer that not all students have been here before or feel comfortable exploring on their own. Many transfer students from universities have commented that they love the small classes and personal attention they receive at NWTC.
SPARK 