Students Living Away from Home
Presented by:
- Shelley Arroyo, IU Columbus
- Kristina Samples, Ivy Tech Community College Columbus
Living independently away from home for the first time comes with a learning curve:
- learning time management skills, which include attending class and studying in addition to shopping for food and household supplies, cleaning, paying bills – you know, adulting
- learning to establish a disciplined routine (even when no one is watching😉)
- learning to make responsible decisions about personal conduct
- learning important social skills like interacting with residents of different ages and genders and with landlords or leasing managers
- learning to be responsible for maintaining one’s own space and shared spaces
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A panel of three AirPark Campus students shared their experiences living independently away from home. They noted:
- Communication skills are critical when connecting with other students as well as building/facility managers
- Establishing a healthy, balanced routine is vital
- Using a daily, weekly, and semester calendar (paper or digital) helps them stay on track
- It takes maturity and patience living around other individuals who may have very different habits
As educators, we should be mindful around:
- Not making assumptions about the background our students bring with them
- Engaging with students to understand their circumstances and what they need to succeed
- Understanding the importance of food as a “community builder”
- Listening to students share their experiences about adjusting to living on their own
- Encouraging students to manage their time effectively and establish routines
- Promoting the importance of both mental health (managing stress and anxiety) and physical health (eating healthy and getting adequate rest)
- Helping students build confidence by citing their successes in and out of the classroom
- Offering options and helpful resources