By Gary Salazar
Most of us can’t get through the day without talking to someone. There are too many things that we need help with:
How do I get to the meeting? When do we need to turn that assignment in? What happens when I fail a class? I want to do well but who do I speak with to get some help? ‘What do “proprioception” and “kinesthesia” mean? The list goes on …
When we know what we need to do and how to do it, we can see the path ahead, the direction to take. For some, that’s all that they need to start working. A few need a little extra time to sort things out, especially when there’s lots to get done.
When “life” imposes upon our To-Do List, what once appeared to be a great idea, like going to school, can become a little more frenzied. It really does help when we can reach out to our classmates, friends and family for guidance. It helps to have a place where we can ask those uncertain questions from people we trust. It helps to have someone to lean on.
But what about when school starts reaching out to you?
Why do they send all those emails and try to call me so much? It just adds more “stuff” I have to deal with … or ignore. Sometimes I wish they’d just leave me alone!
That’s the point, though.
We know there is a lot to do, and sometimes it seems overwhelming. When your life is a mess and your grades are sinking faster than you can bail, it’s stressful and easy to lose sight of what needs to be done next.
We see that. Schools understand there is so much to be done to get through school that it’s easy to lose your focus and get behind. The reach-outs are reminders and guidance to help you get back on track.
Common reminders you might see include professional events in your chosen field, overdue homework , financial aid paperwork that needs to be signed, commencements, academic assistance, resume and networking workshops , class notices, holiday notifications, and on and on. These are just reminders on what needs your attention.
Some of you reach out to us as well to say, “Thank you,” and we appreciate that. We want to hear from you because your feedback or questions help us stay on track with you, reminding us of your needs, which is why we are here in the first place.
“Retention” is a big word around here–for a good reason. Staying in school is not just your goal, it’s ours as well.
Please stay in touch.
As the Associate Dean of Academic and Student Affairs at Bryan University, Gary Salazar has counseled and supported countless students on their way to academic and professional success. He may be reached via email at gary.salazar@bryanuniversity.edu.
Founded in 1940, Bryan University offers revolutionary degrees for evolutionary futures in health and legal services, providing students with an exceptional education and lifetime career services. For more information, visit www.bryanuniversity.edu.
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