Higher education institutions must do everything they can to differentiate support for student success—including offering core soft skills training.
First Generation Support – Soft Skills Training
We can breakdown the range of knowledge needed in an educational setting into two categories: hard and soft skills. Hard skills include the technical skills and content-specific knowledge that students need to get good grades and succeed on tests.
Soft skills are intrinsic, personal qualities and self-regulation skills that help navigate the relationships and habits to thrive on campus.
Soft skills can include a student’s ability to:
- Communicate with professors and peers.
- Manage time appropriately.
- Regulate stress levels.
- Develop study habits.
- Demonstrate leadership.
- Empathize with others.
- Sharpen critical thinking skills.
These are essential skills that help students navigate the overwhelming world of academia.
Higher education institutions are responsible for providing opportunities to develop critical soft skills to give a positive, inclusive student experience. This is true for students who haven’t had the opportunity to learn them at home or through informal social networks.
Why Do First Generation Students Need to Develop Soft Skills?
Secondary institutions would help develop strong study habits and interpersonal skills before sending their graduates off to colleges and universities. But unfortunately, many of our nation’s high schools miss the mark in this regard.
To create a welcoming environment, colleges and universities should prioritize programming and practices to develop soft skills among first-year students. By offering comprehensive support in soft skills training for students, institutions will be able to cultivate a culture where students feel a true sense of belonging and support.
Soft skills are also vital in helping students succeed academically. Research has shown, students with strong communication skills are better equipped to understand course material and perform better on exams.
In addition, having strong interpersonal skills helps students form supportive relationships with professors and build community within their classes. Factors that ultimately influence matriculation rates and benefit higher education institutions in the long run.
Which Soft Skills Should Colleges and Universities Prioritize?
Although there are dozens of crucial soft skills that can promote long-term academic and career success, there are a few skills that should be top of mind for educational leaders.
Communication
Communication skills are of the utmost importance, as they allow students to interact effectively with professors, peers, and mentors. Furthermore, communicating clearly in a digital space is essential for success in hybrid and online learning environments, which are becoming increasingly prevalent in higher education.
Leadership
Leadership skills are also important for students to develop, as they can help students take the initiative in their education and become more involved on campus. Student leaders often better understand how to work within the system to get things done and can serve as mentors and role models for their peers.
Flexibility
In today’s ever-changing world, it’s more important than ever for students to be adaptable. Institutions that can provide opportunities for students to learn how to pivot in the face of adversity will better prepare them for the challenges they’ll encounter throughout their studies and long after graduation.
Teamwork
Teamwork skills are also essential, as they allow students to form supportive relationships with their peers. From academic group projects to extracurricular clubs and sports events, learning to work with others is a must in a higher education setting. Working well with others can help reduce stress levels and create a more positive environment on campus.
Time Management
Time management skills are essential for students, as they’ll need to juggle various tasks and responsibilities throughout their academic and professional careers. From attending classes and studying for exams to working a part-time job and being involved in extracurricular activities, learning how to manage one’s time is essential for success in college and beyond.
Work Ethic
A strong work ethic will help students persevere as coursework becomes more challenging. In addition, a strong work ethic instills a sense of pride in one’s work and drives students to strive for excellence continuously.
Emotional Intelligence
Emotional intelligence allows individuals to manage their emotions and navigate peer relationships effectively. Conflict resolution and strong people skills are key to academic and workplace success.
How Higher Education Leaders Can Cultivate Soft Skills For A Diverse Student Body
Comprehensive Summer Programming
Summer programming is a great way for higher education institutions to instill soft skills in students before the fall semester begins. Although most colleges and universities offer some sort of orientation for incoming students, these programs are often geared towards closing gaps in academic skills, and they do not always include a soft skills curriculum.
Programming might include opportunities for students to practice public speaking, develop advanced social skills, and cultivate the essential life skills they’ll need to succeed in college. By incorporating several weeks of soft skills training into summer programming, institutions can set students up for success from the very beginning.
First-Year Experience Courses and Affinity Groups
First-year experience courses are another great way to help students develop soft skills. These courses or seminars are designed to help students transition into college life and can cover a variety of topics, including time management, study skills, and emotional intelligence. Including a focus on soft skills in first-year experience courses can help students hit the ground running and set them up for long-term success.
Organize Specialized Study Groups or Living-Learning Communities
Organizing specialized study groups can also be beneficial, as they allow students to practice their teamwork skills while also receiving academic support. Leaders can organize these groups around specific course material or common interests.
For example, many colleges and universities now offer living-learning communities that group students together based on their primary or academic interests. These communities often include special programming and events that help students develop both academically and personally.
Faculty Training
Higher education leaders should ensure faculty members are equipped to foster a soft skills-friendly environment. Faculty members play a vital role in developing their students and should be trained on how to cultivate soft skills effectively.
Some ways to achieve this include:
- Including soft skills training in faculty development programs
- Organizing workshops on how to incorporate soft skills into the classroom
- Developing a set of best practices for faculty members to follow
- Encouraging faculty members to provide feedback to students on their soft skills development
Final Thoughts
Soft skills are essential for success in higher education and beyond. By providing students with opportunities to develop these skills, higher education institutions can set them up for long-term success.
At Oracle Real Estate Group, we provide expert advisory services to colleges and universities that want to create inclusive environments for all of their students. We can help you assess your current programs and offerings, make recommendations for change, and implement new initiatives.
Contact us today to learn more about how we can help you support first-generation college students.