Decisions, Decisions, aka University 101 (2018)
Description
The following scenes were researched and devised to address retention issues on campus. We found that a number of students withdraw or do poorly because of intrapersonal and interpersonal issues that need to be addressed, hence the title, University 101. No answers are provided to these “problem-based learning” scenes, rather, we invite viewers to use them for a) points of reflection and b) conversation starters with others. The questions provide possible starting points.
Scenes
Setting the Pace
How does your time management affect your pace and how does your pace affect your time management? Does the way in which you manage your time increase or decrease stress? Think of examples that increase it and some that decrease it? What could you stop, start and/or continue doing?
It’s Not My Fault
What would you consider legitimate or illegitimate reasons for not getting one’s work done? Where do you tend to cast blame? Are these legitimate? Could there be other factors?
Setting the Pace – Internal Voice
What decisions do you make that become obstacles to your pace? When are breaks necessary, or not? Are there things that you do that could be considered a waste of time?
If Only…
What are excuses and what are actual reasons? What characters place the “locus of control” within themselves and who place it elsewhere? What regrets do you have and what would you change for the next time? How could you have prevented some of your “If only’s”?
Setting the Pace – External Voices
How do you manage your time commitments? Do you create short term and long tern action plans that predict “crunch'” times? How to you mitigate the pressures of “too many deadlines”?
Who’s a Friend to Whom?
How do the needs of others affect your pace? Do others respect your decisions? Do you respect theirs? How do you respond to a “no” answer?
Study or Game?
What strategies can be employed to avoid conflicts and regulate one’s pace? How does it feel to be caught in the middle? If you were the person who you left standing, how would you feel? Image the conversation that could happen the next day with the person who was stood up.
How Was Your Semester? – Variation 1
This person’s weekly pace was: 7,7,7,7,7,8,5,7,7,9,10,10 Do you you believe that this was a good pace? What would you change? Why?
Drinks on Me!
What do you spend your money on? Make a list of all the items you may need to budget for while at university. Compare with a friend and revise. How do you establish spending priorities?
How Was Your Semester? – Variation 2
This person’s weekly pace was: 5,5,6,6,6,6,4,5,3,11,11,12 Choose a three 12 week time period and determine your pace. Do you you believe that this was a good pace? What would you change? Why?
Healthy Choices?
Could your eating-habits be considered healthy? Exercise? Sleep? Work? Socialization? Entertainment? Each character has a different opinion. If you were their friend, what would you say to each? How do you achieve balance in your life?
Measuring Your Responses
This scene can be divided into three parts: Part 1: Various responses to the identical situation. One character considers the grade, overtime etc. as a positive thing, one is okay and will adjust accordingly and another is stress by these. With whom do you identify the most? Part 2: One character compares her responses with others. What are the pros and cons of this? Part 3: This character has a lot of negative inner thoughts including how she imagines how others think. What stories do you tell? Do they contribute to your well-being? The character concludes with the question, “What’s wrong with me”? Is there?
How Was Your Semester? Variation 3
This person’s weekly pace was: 2,2,2,2,4,2,8,5,5,3,11,11,12 What advise might you give this person? What factors might have come into play that would determine such a pace? Could some be considered legitimate?
How Would You Respond?
Professors receive many requests from students. If you were the professor, how might you respond to these request and others? Compare your thoughts with your peers? What requests do you make? What requests wouldn’t you make? Why?
Managing Your Pace
When your pace seems to get out of control, what do you do? What short-term and long-term strategies could you implement to manage your pace?
Pace Distractions – Variation1
What private activities distract you? How do you address these? What could you change?
Pace Distractions – Variation 2
What public activities distract you? How do you address these? What could you change?
Who Would You Thank?
Who are your “go to” people in time of need? Could you be considered you a “go to” person? By whom?