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| Photo courtesy Carol Raymundo |
This year the support staff in LBCC's Center for Accessibility Resources (CFAR) decided to try something new. In an effort to help students using the support lab remain calm, comfortable and confident, they decided to let them help themselves.
The support staff offered a blank whiteboard and encouraged them to fill it up. Students could write anything they wanted to purge their feelings, their thoughts, or simply to vent.
Then, the most amazing thing happened. Students began to use the board to support each other, writing motivational messages reminding their peers of their potential. Now, students stop at the board before taking a test, soaking up some inspiration before they begin.
Carol Raymundo, CFAR and Student Assessment coordinator, and Jennifer Walker, support lab instructional assistant, have been overwhelmed with the success of the board. The students have surprised them with their willingness to help each other, and have transformed the CFAR study space into a collective support system.
"I started writing 'good luck on your test' or something simple," said Walker. "Then someone started doodling, then someone started commenting."
"It kind of organically involved into a doodle board," added Raymundo.
Raymundo suggested that Walker start documenting what people were writing, and a pattern emerged. By the date things were written they could identify what time of the year or term it was. The board became a de-stressor of sorts, reminding the staff that students have many influences outside of school that they carry on their shoulders.
Student McKenzie Hershfelt likes to draw on the board.
"Depending on how stressed I am is how much I draw. During finals week I take up the whole board," she said.
Another student, Sierra Weis, likes to write quotes on the board.
"Sometimes I find a really good quote I think people can relate to and I put it on the board. Or just something funny," she said.
Student Felicia Christensen uses the board to refocus herself.
"When I write I feel better about myself. It's an inspirational thing," she said.
With the success of the first board, Raymundo and Walker began a second board in which they ask a question and let students leave their answers. The idea was to get real feedback they could use on different curricular projects they were working on.
The board again was a success, and students began to leave their opinions on weekly topics. One recent topic was, "What is a good syllabus?" This week, personnel from a community college in Washington will be on campus to take part in the same discussion and some of the content left by students will be used in the workshop.
Staff across LBCC's campus have also used content left on the board in their meetings. Others have wandered into the CFAR support lab just to see what students are saying for the day. Their voices are being heard.
Every Monday the board is wiped clean, and every Friday it's full again. It's a perpetual motion of emotion, a constant reminder many students share the same goal; to live, be loved, and improve themselves.
In the spirit of pending finals, enjoy some of the wisdom that's been shared.
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"You can't start the next chapter of your life if you keep re-reading the last one."
"When you feel like giving up, remember why you held on for so long in the first place."
"When it comes to making a big change in your life, you have to want it more than you fear it."
"Never get so busy making a living that you forget to make a life."
"Don't just be thankful for the good, but also the bad, because that is what make you who you are today."
"Failure is not falling down, but refusing to get back up."
"Don't worry, be happy!"
"Just be yourself, because who else is better qualified."
"Love yourself."
"Dreams don't work unless you do!"
"Just breathe. You'll get through it in the end."
"Wake up with determination, go to bed with satisfaction."
"You matter."
"Mistakes are proof that you are trying."
"When nothing goes right, go left."
"Smile at someone. You never know who's going to need it."
"To be an expert you must first be a beginner."
"If 'plan A' doesn't work, the alphabet has 25 more letters!"
"Your value does not decrease based on someone's inability to see your worth!"
"Push yourself, because no one else is going to do it for you!"
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