Self-Efficacy, Community College Choice, and Motivation in Nontraditional Students
By Shauna Tillery
Tarleton State University
Self-Efficacy, Community College Choice, and Motivation
Walk onto a community college camps today and you will see a student population that does not quite match the college campus stereotype, and is much different than what is traditionally portrayed in film and literature. The true dynamic consists of a diverse group of students, ranging in age from older teens just out of high school, up to an unlimited age of adults who returned to school later in life. A substantial portion of community college students are considered to be nontraditional students, based on demographic factors including their age, living arrangement, and financial situation.
In most cases, these nontraditional students will have different reasons than traditional students for choosing to attend a two-year
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al, 2015; Majer, 2009; Quimby & O’Brien, 2006), and the relationship between self-efficacy and motivation (Bye, et al., 2007). However, there is little emphasis on what factors may contribute to a potentially higher level of educational self-efficacy, and in turn, motivation. I plan to expand on prior research by exploring the correlation between college choice and self-efficacy, and continuing with the relationship between self-efficacy and motivation, in nontraditional community college students. Additionally, most research conducted in regards to nontraditional students presents limited criteria regarding which students are classified as nontraditional students (Bye, et al., 2007; Markle, 2015; Quimby & O’Brien, 2006). In a community college setting, however, it is necessary to expand on these criteria (National Center, n.d.). In my research, multiple criteria will be used to classify participants as nontraditional
Motivation is a key aspect in the organization or workplace, and it is imperative to know the basic theory application and methods dealing with any problems that usually unavoidable for the employee and will come up in any work environment. This is a mandatory skills for a leader or future manager to know how important on how to motivate his or her employee to work more efficient. Motivating employees is a big dilemma for managers. To produce a higher level of performance and productivity, manager’s today are obliged to pay more attention on this matter. Every employee needs different types of motivation. In this paper will elaborate three motivational methods that a
Students nowadays face many challenges when it comes to obtaining a college education. We evaluate an institution’s quality based on what we need the most. The qualities sought out may vary by each person’s personal point of view. However, as a student, I’ve found that most students seek for an institute that benefits them the most. Attending a community college has been an enormous advantage towards my education. I have been attending San Bernardino Valley College for the last two semesters. I have come to respect their philosophies and values. The institution has now been in business for 87 years. They venture to encourage both students and faculty towards high standards of achievement and progress into exceptional members of the society. They now offer a variety of degrees, transfer programs and certificates for a wide range of students. San Bernardino Valley College has an accomplished staff, student support services and technological tools that pave the road towards the conquest of a quality education.
With today’s changing world and the economy the way it is, it is not uncommon for people of all ages to enter the college setting. In fact, two-thirds of students entering the college setting are classified non-traditional (Brown, 2007). Bill (2003) found that there was an 11% increase of non-traditional student enrollment from 1991-1998 displaying 35% in 91 and 46% in 1998. These numbers have since increased according to Jacobson & Harris (2008) showing that half to 75% of undergraduates consist of the non-traditional student sitting the reasons for reentering the college setting to be economic. What exactly defines a non-traditional student and what services may they need in comparison to the traditional student.
Seniors have a tendency of taking their last year of high school for granted. They do not realize that the relaxed classes and fun filled weekends with their best friends will all soon come to a devastating end. They have applied for college, bought miniature refrigerators, and sent in their housing applications, but none of them have really thought about college in the way that they should. When asked about college most high school seniors image the huge parties, attractive people, and freedom; however, college is much more than that and, in a way, much less. College and high school are completely different when it comes to a student’s actual lifestyle, but they have many of the same traits that most high school seniors do not see coming.
Community college is a great institution for students to start their educational journey. Especially when they do not have the funds or lack some of the prerequisite that a university would require. Community college was created to serve the community, traditional and non-traditional students with the best higher education and lifetime learning opportunities. The faculty and staff members at a community college is there to provide leadership in education while going above and beyond to recognize the needs of the students and the community by providing excellent educational programs and support services that are available to all who have the opportunity to take advantage of them. “Student services now include recruitment and retention, counseling, student activities, student health, financial aid, academic support, career centers, transfer centers, and supplemental services such as transportation, child care, and services tailored for specific populations of students” (Cohen, Brawer, & Krisker, 2014, pg. 209). My philosophy in fulfilling the role and mission of the community college, is to establish the mission, vision, goals and values to guide all students on their journey to strive to become successful both in school and in today’s economy.
When it’s time for students in deciding which college they are going to attend, they consider many factors that will go into their learning experience. They take in their housing, meal, and transportation plans, all of which excite students for their college experience. However, the major factor that is a make it or break it deal for many, is if they will be able to afford schooling at a college. Many students take year off or decide to never come back to school due to the fact that college is expensive, even community college. The lack of students from being driven to attend, affects the student population at college. However, if community college were to be free it will cause a more diverse environment for students, causing them to have a different outlook in college. A reporter for US News and World Report, Joanne Jacobs, publishes the article, “As He Promotes It, Some Question Obama’s Free Community College Idea”. Where she is able to provide evidence on encouragement of free tuition. She argues that “with a more diverse group of students, community colleges could gain political capital and the funding that goes with it.” A diverse group of students will help create a new atmosphere for students and help create the college experience they seek. More students who are driven to learn, can potentially lead to new clubs being made, events, gatherings, etc. Having free tuition at community college will not only benefit students academically, but socially as well; which is all part of the development of their character.
The theories relating to the motivational methods and techniques I have chosen to reinforce the information are the two-factor and expectancy theory. The two-factor theory was developed by Frederick Herzberg’s and falls under two categories the satisfier and hygiene factors. The two are linked and are identified as being turned
Countless numbers of college freshman transfer out after their first year of studies. Many return, some don't. Unfortunately, many of these students felt displaced and found that their expectations were not met by the university they attended. Attending community school gives students the opportunity to earn college credit while taking the time to select the 4-year institution that is right for them. Because there is little financial investment, most students
Perhaps the rationale behind the lack of on-campus housing offered at community colleges, which is in stark contrast to that of four-year colleges and universities, is the fact that a large number of community college students live in the community, or the urban community colleges are situated whereby students may make use of mass transit means to get back and forth. This is how the system has always been designed, a single-loop approach. Conversely, if one were to apply the double-loop approach, which allows for organizations, in this instance the community colleges, to exercise more degree of flexibility and. It will further permit student affairs administrators to delve more deeply into their fundamental ideas, while meeting head-on some of the policies and challenges they face in developing new strategies in meeting the growing demands of the 21st Century community college students. This may also incorporate the systems theory approach in that it will allow the
According to Kaplan (2013), students’ motivation levels are easily influenced through extrinsic forces in schools. Such forces can be attributed to simple events such as prom and graduate night. It is imperative to think of various solutions to this motivational issue because students who are planning on attending a four-year postsecondary institution might be at risk on losing their admission. Furthermore, losing their admission at this stage can signify no other option than attending a community college. It is important to note that though there are plenty of benefits in attending a community college this paper will focus only on students who plan on attending a four-year postsecondary
Chapter 4 reflects on how community colleges in America are not just a place where people goes to get a degree. It is an institution that goes beyond the classroom. The name says it all, “community college”.
While other students in my high school class were looking at catalogs for different universities around the country, I was looking through catalogs for my local community college. For years, my mom spoke of the benefits of attending a community college before transferring to a university, and given my family’s limited financial availability, starting out at a community college was the perfect choice for me. It was undeniable that going to a community college offered many benefits. For example, it would give me the chance to take classes that would go towards earning my Associate’s Degree without increasing the financial strain on my family. It would also allow me to be home so that I could assist my mother and sister in whatever way that I
Community college is an ideal sources for obtaining higher education for many reasons. First, local community colleges provide an affordable alternative to large public and private universities (Grimes, Rezek, Campbell, 2013). In addition to serving as a gateway for economically disadvantaged students, local community colleges serve as a gateway for less academically qualified students (Grimes, Rezek, Campbell, 2013). Many students who are unable to attend highly selective colleges can attend community colleges, obtain a degree and/or transfer to a school that offers or more diverse degree programs (J. Doe, personal communication, November 11, 2015).
There isn't anything more important to community colleges than the certainty that they can and should provide all qualified people who are looking to be accepted with admittance (Vaughan). The people of the community college represent forty-four percent of all undergraduates and forty-nine percent of students attending college for the first time (David). These students include a lot of minority students, students with a low social standing and the non-standard (age twenty-five and older) student who commonly enters college less academically equipped (David). Most community colleges have made immense advancement in reducing a lot of geographical and economic blockades that have in the past limited college admittance (David). Community
In conclusion, community college is an open book for everyone, where students have a self-discovery when learning while being on able to afford tuition and save money. Writer’s Liz Addison and Rick Perlstein wrote an essay for “New York Times” about a topic: college. Perlstein wrote in “What’s the Matter with College?” that college doesn’t matter as it used to be while Addison fired back with benefits and a recommendation for community college on Addison’s essay, “Two Years Are Better Than Four”. Addison called out Perlstein about how Perlstein has given up on self-discovery when coming about to college as an adult. Addison reminded both audience and authors alike that community is rarely brought up in mediums such as social media. Community