Dear Journal,

This really is a 'round-the-clock' job.

This past week I finally met some of my foster mentees, and I was reunited with my FYS mentees of whom I have not seen in a few weeks.

~

Destiny and Lianny vs. Samantha and Daniella.

Battle of the Hangouts.

The Guardians, otherwise known as the Non-FYS crew, hosted two hangouts at the beginning of last week. These two hangouts, which took place Monday and Tuesday during Community Hour, featured ice-breakers, lunch (because food is key), coaching from an academic advisor, and student tips from us - the peer success coaches!

Destiny and Lianny's Monday hangout was filled with enthusiasm. I enjoyed helping them facilitate their workshop, especially since it acted as a trial for myself and Daniella. Daniella and I hosted our hangout on Tuesday. We had a better sense of time management, even though the time was thrown off again. Our students weren't as enthusiastic as the foster mentees from the previous hangout, and I think that since our energies didn't really match, some parts felt a bit awkward. Though most expressed how they made a good choice in choosing to come, this was definitely a learning experience for reading the cues! I'm still working on how to read the cues from my students both properly and promptly; that way, if I'm able to catch questioning stares or unengaged facial expressions/body postures soon enough, I can change the way the presentation is relayed to the students, ultimately recapturing their attention. I did catch on a few bored-related expression during the hangout Daniella and I were facilitating, so I decided to ask them questions while I was presenting my PowerPoint slide. That tactic seemed to work to an extent. I also noted to subtlety throw a subject back to Nancy when not sure of an answer. It's better than saying "I'm not even 100% sure!"

Overall, I think a lot of questions were answered for the students, and they were able to really feel connected to us, as well as their other peers! I can't wait for our upcoming Freshman Movie Night!

Pictured Above: Me, Daniella, and our foster mentees at our (Tuesday) Freshman Hangout!

~

Tuesday was also the day I saw my FYS students again! I missed them, and some even asked how I've been. How sweet! My main focus for those class visits that day was to make sure my students were aware of their advisement session and what was needed in order for them to attend. My FY21 students had their advisement on the 18th - the day I saw them! In preparation for this, I sent them all an email beforehand explaining the importance of attending and what was required of them. In class, I was able to relay this information with much more power behind the words, since I was able to use the tone of my voice, as well as facial and body expressions! My voice held a stern, yet motivating tone. I didn't want to come off as intimidating; rather I wanted them to see this as a final encouraging push to attend advisement, especially since it is mandatory in order to register for spring classes. A few of my students emailed me the night before explaining special cases, such as being a part of different programs on campus (Honors, etc.) which have their own separate advisors. While in class, I assured them I was understanding of those circumstances, and I gave them additional steps in order to ensure they're set for open registration.

Receiving a spreadsheet listing those students who didn't attend advisement, I'll admit, was frustrating. However, I've come to realize that I may need to change my approach in addressing this extremely crucial session with my students. I will reach out to them just to check in as to why they missed their session. Hopefully by gaining more information I can restructure how I pitch the next ball when I see them this coming Tuesday. For my students in FY21, who already missed their appointment, I'll very broadly repeat the urgency of the session, and then ask those students who weren't at advisement to speak to me briefly after class. That way I can gain more personal insight as to what's going on and if the students have made moves to attend another session soon. In my FY23 class, which includes those students whose advisement session is coming up, perhaps opening up the conversation with questions for the students to see how much they know about their upcoming advisement session, followed by intentional placement of fear, might work in ensuring 100% attendance!

Earlier in the semester, I know I wouldn't have thought of "changing the conversation" or "changing the tone of the conversation," but I now know to read the cues and figure out a tactic that speaks to all of my students!

Until next time,

Samantha