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Case Study: Drop Out or Persist
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It
was the third week of class. At 9:00 A.M. Professor
Rivers walked into his First Year Experience
course and noticed only 20 of the 25 students were present.
Class ensued with a lecture on self-commitment and
self-responsibility. After the lecture Pat
said, “This was a
meaningful class for me because I am deciding whether or not to drop out
of school. I just don’t know if I want to make the commitment to
continue with college. I don’t like the studying, and it cuts into my time
with friends. Does anybody have advice for me?” Kyle,
a
student quickly broke in and said,
“No one is forcing you to come here. If you just don’t want to be a
college student, just quit.
No big deal. Not everyone is cut out to study a few nights a
week College aint all it’s put up to be. You already have a job and can
ask for extra hours to have spending money for DVDs & stuff.
I’ve
been thinking about quitting too. I hate all this studying & papers
are the worse. I don't have no extra spending money for CDs &
stuff any more.” Sam
said,
“It’s too soon to
drop out. You should stick it
out for the semester and see if college really is for you.
You’ve been here three week already, which isn’t
a long time. Just stick it out until the rest of the semester. It
won’t kill you. You’ve already spent some $$ & don't want to lose
out on your investment.
This way you’ll get a real feel for it to see if college is for
you. If you drop out too
soon, you may always regret it. And the first semester is the easiest, so
why don’t you challenge yourself to get As too!” Mona
chimed
in, “My mom is
making me come to college. I
can’t quit. But I’m
hanging out here to please my parents.
It makes things smoother at home and some classes are interesting
too. Certainly your parents,
Pat, must be proud that you’re a college student.
Do it for them. ” Meagan
said, “I can’t understand you guys. Grow up!
You can’t always live for your parents!
How dumb! how immature! I’m just here for me.
I want to learn stuff. I
want to get educated. I’m
so thrilled about being in college; I don’t see why anyone would want to
drop out. Being a college
student will transform me into someone who has important contributions to
make to our society. Hang
in here and eventually you’ll be proud of the new you, who you really
are: an educated college student. Don’t
do it just for your mom, do it for you
and the contributions you’ll
make to society.” Sandra
said, “I’m a single
mom and need the income to support myself and my daughter because my bum
of an ex-husband doesn’t make enough money to buy decent clothes for my
daughter. I’m here
because I want to learn a skill that pays enough money so that I can buy
my daughter a Barbie doll even if it isn’t Christmas.
So, Pat, if you look ahead and care about the baby and family
you may have some day, learn a skill here so you can get them the
things they need in life. Believe
you me, it’s very hard being poor.” Mark
said, “Obviously if you’re thinking about dropping out so early in the
game, without even having completed a semester, you’re too young and
immature. Why don’t you go
sow your wild oats and come back when you’re ready. People can’t
motivate other people. It has
to come from inside. Get some
maturity under your belt.
When you finally do mature you’ll be self-motivated and you’ll
be back.
You’ll work your tail off and really appreciate it. So take time
off to find yourself, and when you return, you’ll even know your major
(ha ha). “Enough,
enough,” interjected Professor Rivers. "Pat, why don’t you come see me after class and we’ll discuss
it further." “No
need for that,” said
Carol. One student’s
comments were very moving to me and I’ve made up my mind.” A student raised his hand and asked, “Which piece of advice, which comment, eh, did you find so good, eh, to be the best? ” What
is Carol’s answer?
Is
there a response the classmates neglected to mention that would have been
even more motivating for you?__________________________ Lesson Plan
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