Laura Dunn: College Ready, Week 6

Activities:

·      Help aid in a fire alarm scare

·      Speak with students regarding the importance of respect

·      Answered important questions regarding academics

·      Created master picture-list of students

·      Was a constant resource for students regarding any issue they may have

·      Attended weekly staff meeting

·      Took part in HCDC activity

This week was my second official week in my practicum, and it started with a bang.  Within 20 minutes of arriving to my practicum site after work on Monday a fire alarm sounds at the front desk notifying us of a situation in a student’s room.  Long story short some of my students were careless in their actions, which created the fire (and a really amazing amounts of smoke), and the same students did not show themselves in the best light when dealing with the housing staff.  I had several discussions this past week with students on the importance of respect at the university.  I had to make them understand that there will be times when you have to suck up your pride and just be respectful.  This scenario was case and point.  It was quite amazing to see first hand how flammable styrofoam and biscuits can be.  View picture below as evidence:

As silly as this situation may seem, I was actually able to learn a great deal from it.  My practicum has given me the unique experience to learn about many areas outside of just College Ready.  I spend my evenings in a residence hall, and although I am not part of the residence life entourage, I am surely learning many of the issues they deal with on a daily basis, and have gained a considerable amount of respect for their problems and positions. I've also had the opportunity to get experience with more academics, student conduct, counseling, parent services, etc. 

Every evening I come to Oak Hall (where the College Ready students live) and park myself at the from desk to wait for something to fall in my lap.  These evenings never disappoint and I am often away from my desk for at least half of my time there to attend to one issue or another. All the students have my cell and aren't shy about using it.  Everything from helping students move their furniture, to talking about being home sick, to the best way to get involved in undergraduate research as an incoming biology student.  My students are a continual source of entertainment and growth.  But I won’t lie, there are moments of boredom while I wait for the next “crisis”. So don’t be surprised when you see me in Oak Hall looking like this:

I likely just put out a fire (figuratively and literally).

This week we also took part in a program hosted by the Holmes Cultural Diversity Center.  It was great to see the different views that the students have on issues and I think it was also very eye opening for them to see what my views were as well.  Every week we have so many moments that I get to know my students better, and visa versa.  Additionally, Sunday was National Ice Cream Day, and two of my residents left the hall to go get ice cream (I suggested a place for them) and they brought me back an ice cream.  They thought it was sad I had to work on National Ice Cream Day.  They’re wonderful! 

I’ve really tried to build a great relationship with my students so they feel comfortable speaking to me, but at the same time trying to be sure to draw the line between what is appropriate to discuss and what is not.  At several moments I’ve had to step back and think to myself “yeah…I don’t think I should be in the middle of this conversation….”.  By being a “supervisor” or sorts to these students there are certain ethical obligations that I take on by being in this position.  As the chapter pointed out, ethics is an area in student affairs that is continually tested, and this practicum is no exception.  As the chapter pointed out, if you end up in a position that “makes you feel funny inside” it’s probably time to step back and reassess.  Well I’m getting lots of practice in this area on an daily basis, but as the days progress these moments are getting fewer as the students begin to realize what is appropriate as well.   

Overall, another great week in the books for College Ready!