Posts Tagged "confusion"

What Would You Say to a High School Student Who Feels Lost and Controlled by Family?

Posted by on Oct 16, 2012 in General, General College Success/Responses to Other College Entities, Interpersonal Communication | 30 comments

(I’m covering a number of write-in questions, so stay tuned! I bet many of us can relate to this one! Can we provide some support to this student who feels uncertainty and family pressure? Let’s take a look…) “I’m in high school and I don’t have long until I graduate. I am very unsure of what to do when I get out. I planned to go to community college and then attend a university. My family doesn’t agree with that decision (to attend a community college). In my family, the elders decide what career path provides a good income. Now I am confused. I feel like I’ve drifted along with what I have to do but I’ve never...

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If Your Prof Sends a Cryptic Message, You Deserve a Translation

Posted by on Aug 6, 2012 in Communicating with Professors, General | 4 comments

(On the heels of the recent grade dispute posts, another e-mail arrived with a student question about a failing grade. Unfortunately, I don’t have enough details yet to adequately present this situation, but one piece concerned me. I’ll focus on that part now and elaborate on the specifics once I have further information). “I do not plan to fail anyone. That’s all I’ll say.” This was a response that a student apparently received from a professor, via e-mail, when asked why they failed their course and if there is anything they can do about it. Haven’t we all been on the giving or receiving end of this type of communication? When...

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