Initial challenges were the announcements weren’t posted as scheduled and considered to need to be more frequent. As I mentioned in a previous posting, we adjusted the announcements to run daily and then approved flyers through the IRB. The flyers were successful. We had a good turnout for the first lunch and learn. I know hind-sight, I wish there had been more time to have more interventions and possibly incorporate specific activities outside of learning. My main goals are for the participants to feel as though they learned something they didn’t know about improving overall health. I feel like the participants are already excited about participating and have a good grasp of the program. The participants that keep coming to the on campus activities are a lot of fun and truly enjoy participating. I have to be comfortable in the fact that the number of participants is fewer than expected but that at least those participating are learning tips to benefit overall health and achieve lifetime goals. There’s not much I could adjust at this point of the project. I definitely know the changes I would make to possibly help a future student with a similar project. I would encourage them not to start at the beginning of the school year and begin during the spring semester instead. I feel like participation would be greater during that timeframe. Also I would encourage daily announcements instead of weekly blogs.
Although the turnout is not what you had hoped for, at least you do have some participants. And the fact that the participants are enjoying themselves and learning tips that they will use the rest of their lives is very positive. The adjustments by running the announcements daily were successful…pat yourself on the back. Is your project implementation completed as of this time?
Vicki- It sounds like you were on top of the challenges and were able to overcome them. It has been a challenge but those participate are gaining excellent knowledge from your project.
Thanks ladies! My project is about 60% completed as of today. The rest should be smooth sailing. I am taking pictures at the events now to add to my project presentation and trying to keep the color flyers so that I can minimize them and add color to the poster at the end of the spring semester. I’m pretty excited to see it all get completed.