kristen galloway, msw kristina siarzynski-ferrer, ms university advising center university of north...
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Guiding First-Year Undecided College Students to Identify Their Purpose
Kristen Galloway, MSWKristina Siarzynski-Ferrer, MS
University Advising Center University of North Carolina at Charlotte
UNC CharlotteUniversity Advising Center
Undecided/Transitioning students
Instructors- First-year learning community seminarFall and spring semester
Purpose finding vs. Prescriptive AdvisingUndecided students: take time to explore optionsGoal: lessen anxiety and stress, build confidence and
explore inner self
Contemplative learning
UNC Charlotte’s University College
Spring 2012 Undergraduate Enrollment
Undeclared 2100 11%
Total 19215
Fall 2012 Undergraduate Enrollment
Undeclared 2489 12%
Total 21179
Undecided students in numbersThe undecided major is the third most selected
program in the United States (Miller & Woycheck, 2003)
At least half of all students with declared majors are ‘prematurely’ decided majors who will change their minds (Cuseo, 2005)
77% of all first and second year students are in the process of deciding on an academic major
(McDaniels, Carter, Heinzen, Candrl & Wieberg, 1994)
Fall 2012908
7565
3011995
1145
2630
2344
2489
ARTS & ARCHI-TECTURE
LIBERAL ARTS & SCIENCES
BUSINESS AD-MINISTRATION
COMPUTING AND INFORMATICS
EDUCATION
ENGINEERING
HEALTH & HUMAN SERVICES
UNIVERSITY COLLEGE
University College
Descriptors of Undecided StudentsLow academic performanceHigh anxietyPoor self-efficacyFear of commitment / judgmentLow self-esteemProblems with decision makingHigh perceived need for resolutionReluctance to seek help
Graduation Rates70-85% - Graduation rates of students who
change their major at least once
45-50% - Graduate rates of students who retain their original major
Micceri (2002)
Why are students undecided?Traditional aged freshman are the largest
group of undecided students (Gordon, 2007)
Three possible areas of need including:Information deficitsDevelopmental skill deficitsPersonal or social concerns
UCOL 2200: Purpose Driven You!This course has been designed to engage the student in active reflection and development towards finding their academic and career goals. Reflection topics include: What are my values and motivators? What do I enjoy? What do I want to do?
The topics will incorporate student development theories focused on helping students find their life purpose through discussion, journal entries and creative activities.
Student Development TheoryMany students have not reached a stage of
intellectual theory in which they are capable of making well-reasoned academic and career decisions (Cueso, 2005)
Self-authorship requires defining one’s own belief system, a coherent identity, and mutual relationships (Baxter-Magolda, 2007)
Students look to parents, peers, and advisors for the right major (Perry, 1999)
Life Calling, Work, and Leadership, a course designed for undecided students aimed at meaning-making
Students were over six times more likely to earn a degree after 4 years than students who had not taken the course
Class helped students: Lead more intentional livesCome to terms with expectations about having a
declared majorAccess the support necessary for them to be
successfulReynolds, P. J., Gross, J. K., Millard, B., & Pattengale, J. (2010)
Longitudinal Studies
UCOL2200: Purpose-Driven YouDemographics- 22 learning community students
Male: 23% Female: 77%
Declared: 32% Undeclared: 68%
At this time where are you with declaring your major? Completely undecided: 0% Somewhat undecided: 18% Somewhat decided: 35% Completely decided: 29% Declared: 18%
Have you changed your mind about the major you want to declare since starting at UNC-Charlotte? Yes: 47% No : 53%
Who am I? Introspective activities
Who am I?Identifying valuesFamily interview
Reflection JournalsClass writing prompts
Why am I here? Coaching meeting
Self-awarenessPositive energy and motivationMeditationYogaHigh ropes activity
Counseling CenterContemplative learning
What am I going to do?My Life presentation
Integrated paper and presentation- student action plan
Career Services
Myers-BriggsStrengthsQuestStrong Interest Inventory
Your beliefs become your thoughts,
Your thoughts become your words,
Your words become your actions,
Your actions become your habits,
Your habits become your values,
Your values become your destiny.”
Mahatma Gandhi
Life Motto ProjectThe Seven-Word Life Motto Project:
Describes – in seven words - how you want to live your life.
Focuses on the present and future.
Helps answers the questions, “Who am I meant to be?” and “What am I meant to do?”
Adapted from “Educating from the Heart”
1. How do other people (family, friends, etc.) describe
you?
2. What are you good at?
3. What’s most important to you?
4. What inspires you?
5. How do you want to make an impact?
6. How do you want to be remembered?Adapted from “Educating from the Heart”
Reflection Questions
“Inspiring Words” ExerciseOn each screen, write down 3 words on each
screen that:Resonate with you.Describe you well.Others use to describe you often.Describe how you live (or would like to live)
each day.Get you excited and inspired!
Adapted from “Educating from the Heart”
Key WordsAccomplishAchieveAppreciateBelieveBuildChallenge Change Cherish
ChooseConnectCommunity CreateDiscoverDiversity DreamEducate
EmbraceEmpowerEncourageEnjoyment EnlightenEntertainExcelExcite
Adapted from “Educating from the Heart”
Key WordsExploreFaith Family ForgiveFriendship Fun GiveGlobal
GratefulHappy/Joy HealHealth HelpHonor ImproveInnovate
InspireIntegrity Kindness Knowledge LeadLeaderLiveLove
Adapted from “Educating from the Heart”
Key WordsLoyalMakeMeaningModelMoney MotivateMoveNurtureOpen
Peace PeoplePerformPersonal
Growth PerseverePlayPleasure Produce
Purpose QualityReflectRelateRelaxRenewRespectSatisfy
Adapted from “Educating from the Heart”
Key WordsSaveServeService ShareSpiritualSuccessSupportTake
TeamTeachTouchTravelTrustTruthUnderstandUnity
VolunteerWealthWell-being WisdomWorkWorshipWrite
Adapted from “Educating from the Heart”
Your Motto…As you review your list of words, pick out a few
that stick out the most for you.Use these words to help you decide on the seven
words that resonate with you the most.Your Seven-Word Life Motto can be:
One statement;A series of small statements;Seven individual words;Or any combination of statements and/or words
that work best for you.
Adapted from “Educating from the Heart”
So…What will you choose to be
your seven words?
Adapted from “Educating from the Heart”
Our Life Mottos:
Kristina:Live, Create, Dream, Empower, Save a life!
Kristen:Inspire passion. Encourage connection. Be kind. Serve.
Adapted from “Educating from the Heart”
Idea Exchange / Questions
Kristen Galloway: [email protected]
Kristina Siarzynski-Ferrer: [email protected]