Kristen Galloway, MSW Kristina Siarzynski-Ferrer, MS University Advising Center University of North Carolina at Charlotte.

Guiding First-Year Undecided College Students to Identify Their Purpose

Kristen Galloway, MSWKristina Siarzynski-Ferrer, MS

University Advising Center University of North Carolina at Charlotte

UNC CharlotteUniversity Advising Center

Undecided/Transitioning students

Instructors- First-year learning community seminarFall and spring semester

Purpose finding vs. Prescriptive AdvisingUndecided students: take time to explore optionsGoal: lessen anxiety and stress, build confidence and

explore inner self

Contemplative learning

UNC Charlotte’s University College

Spring 2012 Undergraduate Enrollment

Undeclared 2100 11%

Total 19215

Fall 2012 Undergraduate Enrollment

Undeclared 2489 12%

Total 21179

Undecided students in numbersThe undecided major is the third most selected

program in the United States (Miller & Woycheck, 2003)

At least half of all students with declared majors are ‘prematurely’ decided majors who will change their minds (Cuseo, 2005)

77% of all first and second year students are in the process of deciding on an academic major

(McDaniels, Carter, Heinzen, Candrl & Wieberg, 1994)

Fall 2012908

7565

3011995

1145

2630

2344

2489

ARTS & ARCHI-TECTURE

LIBERAL ARTS & SCIENCES

BUSINESS AD-MINISTRATION

COMPUTING AND INFORMATICS

EDUCATION

ENGINEERING

HEALTH & HUMAN SERVICES

UNIVERSITY COLLEGE

University College

Descriptors of Undecided StudentsLow academic performanceHigh anxietyPoor self-efficacyFear of commitment / judgmentLow self-esteemProblems with decision makingHigh perceived need for resolutionReluctance to seek help

Graduation Rates70-85% - Graduation rates of students who

change their major at least once

45-50% - Graduate rates of students who retain their original major

Micceri (2002)

Why are students undecided?Traditional aged freshman are the largest

group of undecided students (Gordon, 2007)

Three possible areas of need including:Information deficitsDevelopmental skill deficitsPersonal or social concerns

UCOL 2200: Purpose Driven You!This course has been designed to engage the student in active reflection and development towards finding their academic and career goals. Reflection topics include: What are my values and motivators? What do I enjoy? What do I want to do?

The topics will incorporate student development theories focused on helping students find their life purpose through discussion, journal entries and creative activities.

Student Development TheoryMany students have not reached a stage of

intellectual theory in which they are capable of making well-reasoned academic and career decisions (Cueso, 2005)

Self-authorship requires defining one’s own belief system, a coherent identity, and mutual relationships (Baxter-Magolda, 2007)

Students look to parents, peers, and advisors for the right major (Perry, 1999)

Life Calling, Work, and Leadership, a course designed for undecided students aimed at meaning-making

Students were over six times more likely to earn a degree after 4 years than students who had not taken the course

Class helped students: Lead more intentional livesCome to terms with expectations about having a

declared majorAccess the support necessary for them to be

successfulReynolds, P. J., Gross, J. K., Millard, B., & Pattengale, J. (2010)

Longitudinal Studies

UCOL2200: Purpose-Driven YouDemographics- 22 learning community students

Male: 23% Female: 77%

Declared: 32% Undeclared: 68%

At this time where are you with declaring your major? Completely undecided: 0% Somewhat undecided: 18% Somewhat decided: 35% Completely decided: 29% Declared: 18%

Have you changed your mind about the major you want to declare since starting at UNC-Charlotte? Yes: 47% No : 53%

Who am I? Introspective activities

Who am I?Identifying valuesFamily interview

Reflection JournalsClass writing prompts

Why am I here? Coaching meeting

Self-awarenessPositive energy and motivationMeditationYogaHigh ropes activity

Counseling CenterContemplative learning

What am I going to do?My Life presentation

Integrated paper and presentation- student action plan

Career Services

Myers-BriggsStrengthsQuestStrong Interest Inventory

Your beliefs become your thoughts,

Your thoughts become your words,

Your words become your actions,

Your actions become your habits,

Your habits become your values,

Your values become your destiny.”

Mahatma Gandhi

Life Motto ProjectThe Seven-Word Life Motto Project:

Describes – in seven words - how you want to live your life.

Focuses on the present and future.

Helps answers the questions, “Who am I meant to be?” and “What am I meant to do?”

Adapted from “Educating from the Heart”

1. How do other people (family, friends, etc.) describe

you?

2. What are you good at?

3. What’s most important to you?

4. What inspires you?

5. How do you want to make an impact?

6. How do you want to be remembered?Adapted from “Educating from the Heart”

Reflection Questions

“Inspiring Words” ExerciseOn each screen, write down 3 words on each

screen that:Resonate with you.Describe you well.Others use to describe you often.Describe how you live (or would like to live)

each day.Get you excited and inspired!

Adapted from “Educating from the Heart”

Key WordsAccomplishAchieveAppreciateBelieveBuildChallenge Change Cherish

ChooseConnectCommunity CreateDiscoverDiversity DreamEducate

EmbraceEmpowerEncourageEnjoyment EnlightenEntertainExcelExcite

Adapted from “Educating from the Heart”

Key WordsExploreFaith Family ForgiveFriendship Fun GiveGlobal

GratefulHappy/Joy HealHealth HelpHonor ImproveInnovate

InspireIntegrity Kindness Knowledge LeadLeaderLiveLove

Adapted from “Educating from the Heart”

Key WordsLoyalMakeMeaningModelMoney MotivateMoveNurtureOpen

Peace PeoplePerformPersonal

Growth PerseverePlayPleasure Produce

Purpose QualityReflectRelateRelaxRenewRespectSatisfy

Adapted from “Educating from the Heart”

Key WordsSaveServeService ShareSpiritualSuccessSupportTake

TeamTeachTouchTravelTrustTruthUnderstandUnity

VolunteerWealthWell-being WisdomWorkWorshipWrite

Adapted from “Educating from the Heart”

Your Motto…As you review your list of words, pick out a few

that stick out the most for you.Use these words to help you decide on the seven

words that resonate with you the most.Your Seven-Word Life Motto can be:

One statement;A series of small statements;Seven individual words;Or any combination of statements and/or words

that work best for you.

Adapted from “Educating from the Heart”

So…What will you choose to be

your seven words?

Adapted from “Educating from the Heart”

Our Life Mottos:

Kristina:Live, Create, Dream, Empower, Save a life!

Kristen:Inspire passion. Encourage connection. Be kind. Serve.

Adapted from “Educating from the Heart”

Idea Exchange / Questions

Kristen Galloway: [email protected]

Kristina Siarzynski-Ferrer: [email protected]