As we start a new semester, let’s focus on how we, as faculty, can better support students. Whether they’re just out of high school or an adult learner, research shows that the first six weeks of a college term are the most critical for student success. Research has shown that more than half of students leave college in the first six weeks (1). No matter what challenges they are facing (i.e., learning new technology, balancing expectations from instructors with family obligations, needing more structure or face-to-face interaction), these first six weeks are critical not only to students but to UAF as well.

Use the following tips to help your online students and our university find success in the first six weeks and beyond:

Be Flexible

As retention agents we all need to do what we can to help students persist. Many students take online courses because of the flexibility they offer – helping them to balance family, military or work obligations. The stress of strict course assignment deadlines can often get lost as they try to find a new routine that works for them. Consider giving students some flexibility with deadlines in the first few weeks of the semester. We’ve all missed a deadline or two, and while deadlines are an important aspect of college, these first few weeks are critical to student success. Providing some leeway could improve student success and provide success for our institution as well.

Additionally, considering taking a few minutes to reach out to a student who has not completed their first contact/first module assignments. We don’t know all the circumstances a student is going through as they transition to collegiate coursework but reaching them halfway can go a long way in helping us all.  

Refer Students to Support Resources and Services

As an institution, we have developed an array of support services to increase the chances of student success and retention. This includes, but is not limited to, advising, counseling, tutoring services and student success support. Additionally, outreach efforts through CTL, Admissions, Advising and the Department of General Studies can effectively get students back on track. Learning about these resources and being able to accurately refer students to them can be the just-in-time assistance students need.

If you don’t have time to reach out to students who have not submitted their first assignments, take advantage of the CTL Early Outreach program, which starts next week. We’ll take on the responsibility of contacting students to help determine their commitment to the course. Additionally, CTL recently launched a new Student Support Page that includes nearly every resource available to online students. Students can easily find helpful resources that will benefit them over these first six weeks, throughout the semester and beyond. Consider sharing this support page with your students.   

If you have students who did not submit first assignments, are not attending classes, or have other concerns then take advantage of the Nanook Navigator progress report system to collaboratively work with advisors. Advisors will contact the students to help determine their commitment to the course and get them in touch with University support systems. The instructor feedback collected from Nanook Navigator progress reports and alerts assists advisors in their engagement and support for students throughout the semester.  Additionally, CTL recently launched a new Student Support Page that includes nearly every resource available to online students. Students can easily find helpful resources that will benefit them over these first six weeks, throughout the semester and beyond. Consider sharing this support page with your students.

Understand That Life Happens

Students — especially if they are new freshmen — are learning to navigate a university bureaucracy, experiencing what it means to add/drop, trying to purchase their course materials and monitoring that their financial aid came through. They’re also working with new course technology (i.e., Blackboard, Canvas or another learning management system) and balancing the rigors of collegiate academic work with their family or work circumstances. It’s no wonder that half of all students who drop out of college do so in the first six weeks.  

Stress and anxiety is inevitable. While we may not have control over the battles students are facing, we can understand that life happens. What might be seen as a miniscule excuse to us could be a paramount issue for the student. Showing that UAF faculty are understanding and flexible will not only help students in the first few weeks, but can help them persist until they have a degree in hand.

CTL offers a full complement of faculty services to help your students be successful. Let us know how we can help.

References

1. Nelson, V. (2016). The Importance of the First Six Weeks of College. Retrieved January 9, 2020 from: