According to the National Center for Education Statistics, the
2013 6-year graduation rate for
first-time, full-time undergraduate students who began their pursuit of a bachelor's degree at a 4-year
degree-granting institution in fall 2007 was 59 percent, with public
institutions at 58% and private institutions at 65%.
Going to college, for many students, is the
logical next step on the journey to adulthood.
It is an awesome opportunity to attempt new things, take calculated
risks, learn to respond to missteps and outright failure and ultimately
succeed.
Parents, counselors, advisors, and students,
themselves, want to successfully transition to this new chapter. And, that transition is uncomfortable and
stressful as roles are stretched, and expectations adjusted.
But, the goal is the same for all: a
successful experience. The
statistics mentioned above can feel daunting.
But, here is ONE thing you can do – Play OPTION PLAY!
I am Genevieve Griffin, the designer of OPTION
PLAY and President of Small Steps Go Places Inc. Please give me the opportunity to speak with you
about playing, signing up for my workshop PRACTICING USING MY RUBY SLIPPERS, or
to learn more about where many small steps have led me. Send me an email: optionplay15@gmail.com. Also, I would like to know what international students find most challenging about coming to the United States for college.
Successfully transitioning to college is hard
work, can be stressful, requires problem solving and communication, and
reframing skills students already possess.
Playing OPTION PLAY is hard work that players
choose to do, requires problem-solving, making and defending choices,
communicating, thinking about skills and characteristics players already have
or want to have, and as with any game, can be competitive. The result of many focus groups is that it is
FUN to play. Playing OPTION PLAY is ONE thing you can do
to increase the possibility of having a successful transition to college. Successfully transitioning to college
increases the possibility of graduating, after having a good experience.
