I realize that the title of this post is rather obvious; of course every student is different, that is one of my core beliefs and tenants of the work that I do. The broad difference that has made me stop and think is the students who want to talk (either a lot or just chat a little) and the students who will literally only answer yes or no and are clearly only in my office to get their letter.
I want to be clear that if they are only in the office to get an academic adjustment letter for the semester, that is fine. With students such as those (that don't answer with more than one syllable) I try to dig a little deeper, ask questions that might open up a subject they would benefit from discussing. Sometimes students have no issues, or have other people they talk to about obstacles. An alternative which I have also considered is that if they haven't met with me before, they likely aren't comfortable with me. That is why I always incorporate some time of rapport building- typically commenting on how freezing cold the weather has been. Sometimes this opens students up, and other times I have to accept that they are not interested in conversing more than necessary. I simply have to offer them support and a space to talk and allow them the choice of whether or not to use it.
Even though I know that some students don't need to talk, I'm still disappointed because the vast majority of the time that I am working with a student who does want to talk and tell me everything about their classes- I can either update their accomodations to better serve them or give them advice they find very helpful. Since I know I have a lot to offer students in can be difficult when they don't need more than a letter, or think they don't need anything other than their letter. Still, accepting that is part of meeting students where they are. if they aren't in a place that they want/need or acknowledge that they want/need additional support- trying to force it on them won't help and will likely hurt the chances of them looking to you for additional resources in the future.
I want to be clear that if they are only in the office to get an academic adjustment letter for the semester, that is fine. With students such as those (that don't answer with more than one syllable) I try to dig a little deeper, ask questions that might open up a subject they would benefit from discussing. Sometimes students have no issues, or have other people they talk to about obstacles. An alternative which I have also considered is that if they haven't met with me before, they likely aren't comfortable with me. That is why I always incorporate some time of rapport building- typically commenting on how freezing cold the weather has been. Sometimes this opens students up, and other times I have to accept that they are not interested in conversing more than necessary. I simply have to offer them support and a space to talk and allow them the choice of whether or not to use it.
Even though I know that some students don't need to talk, I'm still disappointed because the vast majority of the time that I am working with a student who does want to talk and tell me everything about their classes- I can either update their accomodations to better serve them or give them advice they find very helpful. Since I know I have a lot to offer students in can be difficult when they don't need more than a letter, or think they don't need anything other than their letter. Still, accepting that is part of meeting students where they are. if they aren't in a place that they want/need or acknowledge that they want/need additional support- trying to force it on them won't help and will likely hurt the chances of them looking to you for additional resources in the future.