Ask Emma: Portfolio procastination

By Emma Alyse Henson
Staff Writer
Procrastination: a term that every American is familiar with and can relate to. The problem arises when you can no longer procrastinate. But what if instead of procrastination, you were motivated? Tasks would get done, and possibly, in the correct way. A perfect example of a task to be motivated for and not procrastinate about, are the Olivet College portfolios.
Between the years of 1993-1995, the Olivet College campus decided to instate a portfolio requirement for all students. The portfolio is thought of as a way to set Olivet’s students above all other interviewees once on the market. However, not all the students of Olivet believe that portfolios are beneficial.
Yes, it is true. Without a completed senior portfolio, but all course requirements met, a student will not graduate. Students may get the chance to walk at the commencement ceremony, but, there will be no diploma in the red folder until the portfolio is validated by two approved signers.
It has happened to students before. Senior Andy Weiss was able to walk in last May’s 2008 graduation ceremony, but he did not receive a diploma. His portfolio still needed to be completed.
In some cases, students feel that a portfolio does help. Alumna Brytin Peters feels that it has helped her with student teaching. “My student teaching portfolio made this last semester student teaching much easier. I feel that if I didn’t have it, I wouldn’t have been as prepared for some lessons as good,” said Peters.
Each semester there may also be requirements for portfolio that need to be met in order to receive a positive grade in seminar, for example, an updated mission statement and resume. Slacking and procrastinating will not get a student anywhere. Waiting until the last minute, thinking that throwing a portfolio together is going to work - think again.
Ideally, all portfolio exhibits come from coursework in a student’s major classes. Each department has its own portfolio requirements, in addition to the six college-wide outcomes: academic writing, oral presentation, group work, reasoning and critical thinking, and exhibits of individual and social responsibility.
Consider yourself warned. Motivate yourself to get work done, a little at a time each semester. It’s part of the plan.