You focus not on what's wrong but on how they can address it, in practical terms. You don't tell them they'll never make it, and you don't mind-read (so you don't say "You obviously just don't care"); instead you say "This project/course/career path requires a great deal of hard work and dedication; you will need to put in at least N hours of study/work every day/week, and probably more" or, if more appropriate, "You will need to write N,000 words every day/week", "You need to look not just at the big picture but at the fine details, and be consistent in making sure your work is focused", and so on. Constructive feedback, in other words, not just criticism.
I would bring up specific things, and I'd bring them up in as constructive a manner as possible - I care, I understand, I am on your side and want to help you.
"I'm noticing that you've been having some problems with foo. Foo can be pretty hard - I struggled with it a bit a this or that time in my career - and it's the kind of thing that can make a big difference in things like getting accepted to graduate school or getting good letters of recommendation, so I'd really like to work with you on it because it would an awful shame to see someone with your enthusiasm and love of the subject run up against this wall."
And then start coming up with a concrete plan - let's make a schedule. Let's get you doing some regular practice with fine motor coordination. Let's start putting together checklists so things don't get missed in experimental protocols. Or whatever.
How would you deal with a situation where there is no enthusiasm or love of subject? The person doing pre-med or grad work in biology because of their parents' expectations, say. Is it fair to tell someone they'd be a good scientist when you really feel they'd do better in another field..?:(
The student in question definitely comes from a culture where parents can dictate a life path. And I'm having trouble communicating that s/he should consider other options that would be more exciting because from where I sit, biology ain't it...
It may be that this person (assuming this is not theoretical) is not really dedicated to their particular field of study, or they do not particularly care about their education. I've seen a lot of students who think that college is a hurdle to get through before beginning their career, not understanding that a job requires the same level of commitment. I think it would be best to ask the student what his or her goals are, and then to address what is needed to achieve those goals.
Thank you. The student in question seems to care about the grade she gets, and not much else. I've seen the same approach in grad students though - they want that PhD, and if they put in the hours, they feel they deserve it. I hope I can talk with the student in question and have her figure out her priorities before she commits to 5-8 years of grad school.
Oh man, I hate that. One time in the class I TAd last semester (LOL I'll stop ranting about it soon, I swear!), the two bad students and their friend (who was doing alright but just coasting and not putting in much effort) were complaining that the quizzes were too hard, and the instructor pointed out how they weren't worth much of the grade and the point of them was to help the students learn, and one of them said "that's not what I'm here for." The instructor was appalled, she didn't really have a response to that.
I wish there were a better way to filter out people like that so they don't get admitted to grad school. It seems to be a really common problem, people think "if I show up and do the bare minimum of what I'm told to do, then I will get handed a degree which will mean I deserve a job where I get paid a ton and I don't have to do anything."
You can do your best to point out to her that she has other options, which is sounds like you are already doing. IMO it's easier when someone is going through the motions to please parents than when their heart is really set on something but they've got little aptitude (like nearly every aspiring actor/writer/photographer/painter/modern tribal dancer I know). And then bring in the, "If you want to be successful in this field, you will need to do X, Y and Z, and consistently do them for 5-8 years more of school, then your entire career." Beyond that, you cannot do much. It's like a friend dating the wrong person over and over. You can advise, but can't force their hand.
OH GOD I TA'd a molecular bio lab course for grad students last semester and some of them were terrible - it was intro to lab techniques (we're a marine lab so there aren't a lot of people with molecular bio background like I have) but they were supposed to have some basic chemistry and cell biology knowledge (though there's no prerequisite, which I think is a mistake) and some of them didn't. There were 8 students in the class and 3 who were struggling. One had a great attitude and the instructor and I did extra tutoring sessions with her and she did well and seemed to get a lot out of the class. The other two were horrible. One was pleasant enough but just didn't give a shit, and the other was an absolute nightmare, she'd have a meltdown almost every week and interrupt the lecture to complain about how it was unfair because this was all too hard for her
( ... )
I'm sure a TA horror stories post would be quite popular:) I think the worse I ever got was 'Can you somehow round up my B to an A, I really need to get into med school...'
I can top that! I had one fail intro bio lab TWICE, and the second time asked me to bump her grade up because " I'm a pre-med and I'll never get into med school if I can't pass this class...." - I WOULD HOPE NOT.
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"I'm noticing that you've been having some problems with foo. Foo can be pretty hard - I struggled with it a bit a this or that time in my career - and it's the kind of thing that can make a big difference in things like getting accepted to graduate school or getting good letters of recommendation, so I'd really like to work with you on it because it would an awful shame to see someone with your enthusiasm and love of the subject run up against this wall."
And then start coming up with a concrete plan - let's make a schedule. Let's get you doing some regular practice with fine motor coordination. Let's start putting together checklists so things don't get missed in experimental protocols. Or whatever.
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The student in question seems to care about the grade she gets, and not much else. I've seen the same approach in grad students though - they want that PhD, and if they put in the hours, they feel they deserve it. I hope I can talk with the student in question and have her figure out her priorities before she commits to 5-8 years of grad school.
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I wish there were a better way to filter out people like that so they don't get admitted to grad school. It seems to be a really common problem, people think "if I show up and do the bare minimum of what I'm told to do, then I will get handed a degree which will mean I deserve a job where I get paid a ton and I don't have to do anything."
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LOL, right because in med school it's just going to get easier!
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