Jim Fryer

social/personality/educational psychologist, father, coffee drinker, optimist

[Jim Fryer @ProfJimFryer]

@SPSPnews @laura_naumann @kimberlyquinn This was great, and I really appreciate the work you're all doing to support FirstGen students. @SPSPnews, I'm so glad we could do this. Thanks, everyone! #SPSPchat

[Jim Fryer @ProfJimFryer]

@SPSPnews A9. As a general rule, my guiding principle is to make sure my FirstGen students (actually, all of my students) know – you *belong* here, and I’m going to do whatever I can to help you be successful. #SPSPchat

[Jim Fryer @ProfJimFryer]

@laura_naumann @SPSPnews This is one reason I love teaching Intro - I get to talk about the psych major, and all of the other classes that go along with each section of the course. This lets me have those conversations with a lot of students in their first year.

[Jim Fryer @ProfJimFryer]

@SPSPnews A8. If I ask a student about their future career goals, and they say “I want to get a Ph.D.” (without knowing in what, or why), I need to figure out where that’s coming from. Spending more time talking about future jobs/degree paths is really helpful. (2/2) #SPSPchat

[Jim Fryer @ProfJimFryer]

@SPSPnews A8. I’m sure we all do a lot of academic advising – FirstGen students might feel pressure to *keep going* with their education, even if they don’t need to, or even want to. That push for continued upward mobility can be really strong. (1/2) #SPSPchat

[Jim Fryer @ProfJimFryer]

@laura_naumann @SPSPnews @PotsdamCSTEP I've been able to take undergraduate students to SPSP in multiple years, through exactly this sort of funding!

[Jim Fryer @ProfJimFryer]

@laura_naumann @SPSPnews congratulations to you and all of your RAs!

[Jim Fryer @ProfJimFryer]

@kimberlyquinn @SPSPnews @laura_naumann oh, don't worry, no one actually comes to my office hours! however, I think all of this makes it more likely they'll reach out to me for help and advice, and in the end, that's all that matters

[Jim Fryer @ProfJimFryer]

@SPSPnews @PotsdamCSTEP A7. As a FirstGen student, I got to where I am because other people opened doors for me. Now, *I’m* the one who can open those doors, and it’s my job to hold those doors open for as many students as I can. (3/3) #SPSPchat

[Jim Fryer @ProfJimFryer]

@SPSPnews A7. Plus, I work with organizations like @PotsdamCSTEP, to help get FirstGen students the funding they need for research and travel. (2/3) #SPSPchat

[Jim Fryer @ProfJimFryer]

@SPSPnews A6. ... but I’ve also told my students that they can just stop by any time, without even having a specific question, just to say hello – maybe it’s the apprehension of going to an office in the first place that prevents them from asking for help when they need it (2/2) #SPSPchat

[Jim Fryer @ProfJimFryer]

@SPSPnews A6. Formal office hours are great, but I’ve found it really helpful to be available to my students outside of those as well. FirstGen students may be more likely to work, which can get in the way of being available during my specific office hours. (1/2) #SPSPchat

[Jim Fryer @ProfJimFryer]

@kimberlyquinn @SPSPnews when I teach my department's Honors Seminar, I talk about the difficulties with academic writing, including MY OWN - we keep track of weekly writing progress, and I jump right in on that with them

[Jim Fryer @ProfJimFryer]

@kimberlyquinn @SPSPnews hi @kimberlyquinn, I'm in this tweet and I don't like it #SPSPchat

[Jim Fryer @ProfJimFryer]

@SPSPnews A5. It helps to continue emphasizing the utility of anything I teach – we might appreciate the value of a liberal arts education, but a lot of FirstGen students (or their families) might still wonder, “what is any of this GOOD for?” #SPSPchat

[Jim Fryer @ProfJimFryer]

@laura_naumann @SPSPnews @NevadaState Right on! I can't emphasize OER materials enough. In case people out there are thinking about making a switch, here's one potential option: https://t.co/ndyTGJu2HF

[Jim Fryer @ProfJimFryer]

@SPSPnews A4. To get around this, I’ve found it useful to start conversations with students whenever I see a sign of trouble – missing a couple of classes, a low exam grade, etc. FirstGen students in particular simply may not know how much their professors want to help them. #SPSPchat

[Jim Fryer @ProfJimFryer]

@SPSPnews A4. One thing FirstGen students may be especially less likely to know – you can actually *talk* to your professors! If you’re having trouble in a class, for whatever reason, you don’t have to simply deal with it, without asking for help. (1/2) #SPSPchat

[Jim Fryer @ProfJimFryer]

@SPSPnews A3. Also, I make it a point to mention that *I’m* a FirstGen student, usually on the very first day of the semester. I want my FirstGen students to know that I might know what their particular experience is like. (2/2) #SPSPchat

[Jim Fryer @ProfJimFryer]

@SPSPnews A3. I’ve stopped using textbooks whenever possible. I have a lot of students with financial concerns, and sometimes, the cost of those books can be what prevents a student from coming back for the semester. (1/2) #SPSPchat