Preventing student attrition

Education is a long and sometimes challenging journey. Many learners will face hurdles along the way. But our student support team is here to keep them on track, all the way through to graduation. This ongoing commitment to attrition prevention begins on their very first day. Our advisors follow our Online Learning Advising Model (OLAM) to keep learners on track. It brings together four different areas of theory and research to create a new approach to supporting online students. These areas are:

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  Appreciative advising

  This stems from the psychological principles of positive reinforcement. Our advisors help their learners understand their strengths early on and how to use those strengths to overcome their obstacles.

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  Proactive advising

  This is a great way to reach out to “at risk” students, i.e. those who would not normally seek help on their own. By building relationships and supporting these students, our advisors can help remove any doubts about their ability to achieve their goals.

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  Shame resilience theory

  The main feeling contributing to disconnection is shame, often linked to depression, anxiety, and anger. By helping students recognize and talk about these issues without judgement, our advisors can get them back on board.

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  Cognitive behavioral theory

  Distorted perceptions are the biggest trigger of negative emotion and behavior. Following a gentle questioning process, our advisors can help students identify and re-evaluate their perceptions to match the world around them.

How we support students in practice

OLAM ensures learners know we are here to support them. It also helps us provide the solutions necessary to keep them on track until graduation. The steps below—known as the five Cs of OLAM—may seem simple, but it’s important not to underestimate the impact they have on learners in the online environment.

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  Connect

  We keep students connected, by checking in regularly and really listening to their concerns whenever they arise.

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  Create

  We encourage students to see a positive outcome to each of their problems by reminding them of—and playing to—their individual strengths and motivations, and helping them recall why they started in the first place.

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  Challenge

  We challenge misperceptions and tackle defeatist attitudes head on, offering a safe space for students to explore alternative views and solutions.

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  Collaborate

  We work together to plan the route ahead, putting in strategic and achievable milestones and breaking obstacles down into manageable steps.

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  Commit

  Once everything is in place, we encourage students to commit to a plan, assuring them of our ongoing support. Once they are on track, we will hold them accountable, gently encouraging them with regular check ins.

The 5 Cs in practice

24/7 technical support for learners

Tech problems are always distressing, but in remote environments they can cause serious trouble. We are on hand 24/7 to help alleviate potential stresses for learners. With seamless access to learning platforms, our team are always available with on-call help. When needed, we will direct learners toward financial aid resources and student services too.