AboutDr. Widad Ashurax Expertise I can answer questions pertaining to the following areas: Teaching methods, evaluation of teachers, teachers` moral, curriculum design and market research, students` attrition and completion rate, students` counseling and career planning in Post Secondary Education.
Experience I was a President of private two-year school of business for over ten years, Vice president for three years, and a director of education for two years for a two-year college. Additionally, I have over twenty years of teaching experience in high school and post secondary education combined.
Organizations retired
Education/Credentials Doctorate degree in Education from Nova University
Master degree in Early Childhood from Nova University
Awards and Honors School evaluator for the Accrediting Council of Independent Colleges & schools in Washington DC.
Question Well I am in my first year of university and my bad habits from high school seem to have followed me.
In highschool i was truant quite often and that lead me to falling behind in school. I luckily had the mind to whip myself into shape just before exams and succeeded in getting into university, but i cant get seem to stop this bad habit.
I'm scared that truancy will be my downfall! I know i can make it but i really need to kick this habit!
I have a lot of support from family and friends but it just doesnt seem to give me that kick in the butt to stay committed and on the right path, if i dont want to go to class i just simply dont want to go. I hate it.
What do you reccomend??
Answer Dear Naomi:
Absenteeism is definitely a serious problem with so many people and especially students, so you are not alone. To help eliminate this problem in college, is for you to figure out what you would like to become and what program (major) you will enjoy the most. Enjoying what you do is a fuel that can invigorate you, make you get up in the morning, and be excited about your days ahead. Attendance will be an easy chore if you like what you do, and accordingly you will find yourself with so much energy to go and accomplish things without a problem.
You already have half of the solution which is acknowledging that you have a problem with attendance, Therefore, let’s see if we can fight the other half of the battle. However, no matter what anyone might enlighten you about how absenteeism can actually affect you in college and beyond will not make you change until you really understand the consequences that it might bring later on. I am sure you know that College is a serious institution which has the snooze-you-lose type of circumstances.
In college, production is an important element that you must value, however, attendance will definitely increase your level of understanding to the subject matter, and hence your grades will reflect that. It is your responsibility to succeed in college-life and make it through (it is your money!)
In order for you to improve your attendance, especially in college, is to look at other reasons for your poor attendance that you might have over looked. Therefore, I do urge you to be objective and concentrate on the following tips that might give you some apparent reason(s) for your lingering and unresolved problem:
Again, choosing a wrong major or undesirable one may have a negative impact on your attendance.
One of the many things that might improve your attendance is setting realistic and reachable goals to help you define your priorities as a whole.
There are undefined yet important things in our life that we sometimes fail to notice such as our diet. Your current diet might need to be changed to one that can provide more energy and nutrients, giving you the boost you need.
In addition, try to evaluate your friends more closely and objectively to be able to distinguish who would have the same dilemma you have to tackle the problem head on. Associate yourself with those who are in your major so you can help each other during college life.
Good luck…I know you can overcome this common yet complicated issue.
