FAQs

1)

How to contact students who do not respond to phone calls or e-mail.

Let us know at UCONN Connects. We can unleash the dogs, -give them some time to encounter their first college challenge and then try again, -look at their schedule and meet them at a class, leave a message at their home

2)

What do we do if a student has no voicemail or phone number listing?

We can get you a home phone number, just let us know

3)

How to work with freshman and approach them without assuming, they underestimate how to strike balance.

Spend some time talking about the difference between high school and college, Do some of the online worksheets with them in regards to the high school/college issue

4)

How to handle a student who is blaming everyone for his or her failures except themselves.

Tough issue, depending on the rapport that you have with the student, some tough love might be in order. Use another facilitator to be good cop/ bad cop. Kevin Sullivan is a good resource for Choice theory

5)

How to handle students who are not going to class.

Work on what motivates them, money, grades success, study abroad opportunities, scholarships, go over their exams with them

6)

How to deal with a student who does not think he/she belongs.

Spend some time talking about the difference between high school and college
-UConn is not for everybody; Help the student investigate other schools

7)

How to handle students with low GPA.

Make sure that the student has a schedule and major that will ensure some success this semester- it’s a brand new semester!

8)

What are some questions to help students deal with Reality checks?

The daily activity log located on the UConn Connects web page or the GPA calculator and figure out a best and worst case scenario, Be Honest

9

How to handle students who are Missing In Action.

See Number 1

10)

How do we inspire students who do not want or believe they need our help?

Connect with them on other issues to start: roommate issues, homesickness, entice them with study abroad, CA jobs, internships, scholarships

11)

What might we say to students who feel they are too independent?

Maybe connect with them initially as an accountability partner or “older” friend/mentor at this point

12)

What is an easier way to help set up times to meet with students?

Have the same appointment at the same time each week or every other- that is why the first night meeting is so critical

13)

What do we do with students who have a learning disability?

The University of Connecticut is committed to assuring equal educational opportunity for students with learning disabilities who have the potential for success in a highly competitive university setting. Since 1984, a comprehensive program has been available to assist qualified students with learning disabilities to become independent and successful learners within the regular University curriculum. The University Program for College Students with Learning Disabilities (UPLD) is designed to complement, but not duplicate, the University's existing campus services and programs. UPLD is located in the Neag School of Education (Gentry Building), Rooms 129 and 203, and is part of the Center on Postsecondary Education and Disability of the Department of Educational Psychology

14)

How do we help students when English is not their first language?

Connect with Laurie Cella at the writing center, enroll them in an ESL FYE, connect them with UCAELI, Find resources through the cultural centers

15)

How could we be any assistance to commuter students?

Help them make connections with clubs or organizations to get that “buy in” factor of UConn