Embedded Files
Jessie
Jessie
Age: 18 years old
Work: Dining student employee in York
Major: Undecided first-year
Family: Single, oldest of three siblings
Challenge: Emerging anxiety, first-generation, rural student..
Location: Old Town, ME
Where is home? Aroostock county
Pronouns: They/them
Accessibility accommodations: None
A bit about them
A bit about them
Jessie was born and raised in Aroostook county, in township T16 R6 WELS. They went to a small rural school with 10 people in their middle school class, and they knew everyone. They are the first of their family to go to college and their family is extremely proud of them paving the way for their siblings.
What are their frustrations so far?
What are their frustrations so far?
“My classes are really big and it's a bit overwhelming to be honest.”
“Everything here is so different, it’s as if I am in a different culture entirely and I don’t speak the language.”
“I don’t understand how to navigate the university system, and I don’t know what I need to succeed. I feel lost.”
“I spend every night studying and reviewing my work but nothing sticks and I am so tired. I feel dumb. How do other people do it? I end up being tired at my jobs and I can’t focus in class. My schedule is a mess. How do I know what to do and when to do it?”
“I could work on the farm and earn a living, but instead I am spending a lot of money on this degree”
Five teaching strategies focused on digital equity that will help Jessie succeed:
Five teaching strategies focused on digital equity that will help Jessie succeed:
Add a “how to succeed in this course” section in your course, introduce it at the beginning of the semester, and refer students back to it regularly, as needed
Use checklists in your course to help students stay on track
Make sure students know that their instructor understands the complexity of their lives.
Making reviews happen in class time
Connect the course to life skills and give possible career paths
Many more students can benefit from these teaching strategies. Learn more about who benefits from these strategies.
What has helped Jessie feel included in the UMaine community?
What has helped Jessie feel included in the UMaine community?
“I joined a student club and some of the students who are in it are also the first of their family to be in college. We can relate. It’s nice.”
“At the beginning of the semester, one of my professors had us fill out an anonymous survey about our needs and expectations about the class, and they are sharing resources with us based on our answers. It is very helpful.”
“The RAs in my dorm are trying to create opportunities for people to meet and they tell us about things happening on campus. It helps me meet people.”
Quotes from UMaine students
Quotes from UMaine students
[coming soon]
Learn more...
Learn more...
First-Year Student Success Initiative at the University of Maine
Explore resources and training sessions offered by CITL by visiting the Equity and Inclusion in Teaching section of the CITL website
Page updated
Report abuse