2008 Woodie Awards
Personal lives interfere with success at BHC
Latifa Bammou
Issue date: 4/16/07 Section: News
- Page 1 of 1
Fear, laziness, self-doubt and poor scheduling are among the various reasons why students want to drop courses, according to Dr. Robert Neff, psychology professor at Brookhaven College.
Neff said students drop a course if they find themselves doing poorly despite their best efforts.
"Their professor is supportive but no pushover," he said. "Danger with a capital 'D' lurks about. So they think maybe it is time to drop one."
But Neff wanted to remind students that most teachers reward those who persevere.
Tricia Harrison, academic adviser, said Brookhaven is a commuter college, which has many students who juggle between work and school. Some students are married and have kids.
Harrison said, "School is just an addition to what they do and some of them do not plan well … they are not dedicated to school."
Her advice for students is to negotiate with their employers to get shifts that go with their school's schedule and make plans accordingly.
"Believe in yourself and establish the habit to study right away," Neff said.
He said students need to talk to their teachers and get their advice about whether it is wise to drop classes.
He added that students need to learn how to establish regular study habits from the start because beginning early may prevent failure later.
The first day of class, students should find a place to study and keep going there at their best study time, Neff said
He said students need to read their chapters, if they do, they will survive any course and any professor.
Sheri Van court, professor of English for Speakers of Other Languages and Farsi, said students need to develop a positive attitude because attitude will determine their success.
Moreover, Van Court said students should attend all classes.
According to her attendance is very important in academic life and if students skip class, they lose.
Neff said students drop a course if they find themselves doing poorly despite their best efforts.
"Their professor is supportive but no pushover," he said. "Danger with a capital 'D' lurks about. So they think maybe it is time to drop one."
But Neff wanted to remind students that most teachers reward those who persevere.
Tricia Harrison, academic adviser, said Brookhaven is a commuter college, which has many students who juggle between work and school. Some students are married and have kids.
Harrison said, "School is just an addition to what they do and some of them do not plan well … they are not dedicated to school."
Her advice for students is to negotiate with their employers to get shifts that go with their school's schedule and make plans accordingly.
"Believe in yourself and establish the habit to study right away," Neff said.
He said students need to talk to their teachers and get their advice about whether it is wise to drop classes.
He added that students need to learn how to establish regular study habits from the start because beginning early may prevent failure later.
The first day of class, students should find a place to study and keep going there at their best study time, Neff said
He said students need to read their chapters, if they do, they will survive any course and any professor.
Sheri Van court, professor of English for Speakers of Other Languages and Farsi, said students need to develop a positive attitude because attitude will determine their success.
Moreover, Van Court said students should attend all classes.
According to her attendance is very important in academic life and if students skip class, they lose.
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