Do You Hear What I Hear? Supporting the Whole Student
What can one do when the traditional ingredients for successful academic performance don’t seem to be working? The answer: go deeper to discover the root causes of the problem.
When international student Hongyi Liang (Blake) expressed frustration with his English courses despite devoting a significant amount of time to his studies, it became critical to examine other factors that may have been contributing to his lack of success. Fortunately, Blake was a participant in a supplemental first-year program offered by New Mind Education in partnership with his university. The University Performance Program (UPP) provides students with significant transitional support during the critical first year of study. This support received by Blake in his UPP advising sessions became instrumental in addressing the challenges impeding his academic performance.
Blake’s UPP advisor, Jenny Murray, was quick to identify that his life-long hearing disability was impacting not only his ability to understand his instructors and classmates but was also making social interactions more challenging for him. Determined to help her student thrive, Jenny first ordered a hearing amplifier as a temporary solution. Fortunately, Blake quickly noticed an improvement in his hearing ability, “With this hearing amplifier, I can better understand and hear clearer while in class, especially when it comes to listening practice sessions. I have more confidence and gain more capacities in digesting the input of knowledge and information more effectively and efficiently.” No longer did he have to strain to understand his instructors’ lectures or feel left out during group discussions. As a result, his self-esteem was restored and his anxieties eased.
Jenny's support didn't end there. She then connected him with on-campus medical services, ensuring he had access to the resources he needed. Recognizing the need for specialized assistance, she also went above and beyond to help Blake find an audiologist who could offer additional professional guidance and care. The audiologist conducted a thorough evaluation, tailoring a personalized treatment plan to address Blake's specific needs. Jenny also encouraged Blake to be proactive and connect with the university’s Disability Resource Office to learn about what types of accommodations were available to him.
As a direct result of UPP support and intervention, Blake was able to better manage his disability while identifying the university and community resources available, “Without the help of UPP. I would not know that I can acquire additional accommodation and resources from the school based on hearing disability.”
It can be easy for a student to miss out on additional support and resources if they don’t know where to look. Programs such as UPP provide dedicated and holistic advising is essential to make sure that every student has their needs met. Universities that offer such services to their international students send a clear message: we understand and appreciate the unique needs and challenges of our international population and are committed to their success.
