Activities:
- Participated in move-in day: College Ready
- Introduced myself to every student individually on first night
- Lead tours of campus
- Making lots of informative announcements over an intercom (very fun)
- Attended first staff meeting
- Worked with student issues/conflicts
- Created a master document with names and corresponding pictures of all 172 students
- Responded to lots of emails, text messages and phone calls
Experience:
Though we are in the 5th week of the practicum
course, this was my official first week of work the College Ready. Move-in day was a joint effort between
student affairs and academic affairs with individuals working from both sides
to help students transition into the university. The unique attribute about College Ready is
their collaboration between the two sides, and something that I am increasingly
interested in for my own future. Not only is this important and helpful for the
students, but it’s also extremely helpful for the employees as well. By working with each other on the first two
days we developed relationships that will make conversations easier should
anything arise and need their help or input. I feel this is becoming increasingly important
as more joint programs and positions that deal with both areas of campus are
formed and become more common. I
consider myself extremely lucky to live in between these two worlds and already
have connections made that serve me extremely well in my working life.
Connections are one of the most important aspects of College
Ready. Students need to feel a
connection with the other students and try and find their fit in their new
surrounds. Additionally, connections are
also important to the faculty and staff.
Through working with the other areas of campus powerful professional
connections are made as well. These
connections are not only helpful through the current practicum, but also for
future projects outside of practicum. By
building collegiality with individuals across campus it can be beneficial for
all parties concerned.
This week was full of adjustments. Adjustments for my schedule to fit in
practicum with a full time job and family. Trying to memorize 172 student names and faces is tough work but I'm determined to keep a smile!
Adjustments for the students coming to school for the first
time.
Adjustments for the parents saying goodbye and hopefully
letting go a little!
Through the help between student affairs and academic
affairs we hope to make these transitions as smooth as possible for the sake of all parties concerned!
-Laura
Laura,
ReplyDeleteIt is so good to see that you have finally had the opportunity to begin your practicum experience as far as being "on the job"! I can only imagine how exciting it must have been on your first day with the students. I could not agree more with you when you are talking about how unique your practicum experience truly is. The early start program really is a wonderful collaboration between Student Affairs professionals and Academic Affairs. When dealing with students that, in many situations, are not even 18 years old yet and entering college early, it takes a village to watch over and care for those students. On the academic affairs side of the house, it takes a certain understanding of the type of student in class because of their general lack of experience in the college setting. On the student affairs side of the house, it gives us the opportunity to begin that process of transition from high school to college while also beginning that wonderful development of the student that oftentimes occurs in college. This is really a great opportunity for you and I cannot wait to see what more you do with it!
Thanks Bryan!!
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