While the stereotype of students going off to college is that they are excited to “finally” be on their own, the reality may be different. For a variety of different reasons, many students struggle to feel comfortable, included, and “welcome” in their new college experience.
3 Common Reasons Students Struggle to Feel Welcome at College
- First time away from home. While some students have spent time away from home at camps, vacations, even grandparents’ homes, there are a segment of students who have not spent more than a night or two away from home and/or their caregivers. This may be particularly exaggerated as the current generation of students has experienced an uncommonly high number of hours at home due to years in the pandemic.
- Missing their old identity. Some students had a strong social system and identity about who they were, what they liked to be involved in, etc. before they came to college. It is very common for these students to seek to recreate this experience when they come to college. While they may or may not ultimately accomplish this, they may feel a bit “adrift” until they settle this incongruence.
- Seeking a new identity. Alternately, some students experienced dissatisfaction with their identity and belongingness before college and they are seeking something completely different with their entrance into college. They may have a strong sense of who they want to be or they may be unsure. It can be difficult to feel welcome when you aren’t sure of who/what you want to be a part of in this new experience.
5 Ways to Help New Students Feel Welcome
Belongingness is a core psychological need for humans, central to feeling safe. Additionally, we are working in a culture that is at an all time high for reported experiences of loneliness as well as digital communication that can fuel disconnection. While these statistics can feel insurmountable, the steps to helping students feel welcome, less lonely, and more connected are often small and simple.
- As a college counselor, one of my favorite lessons to share with new students was the concept of “lollipop leadership.” In a TedX talk that has been viewed 1.5 million times, Drew Dudley talks about how the simple act of sharing a lollipop with some new students led to a complete reframing of those student’s experience of college. Watch for inspiration here:
- Eye contact and smiling. It sounds simple but gosh, this is an area where we have really started to struggle often due to looking at our devices. On a recent trip, I found myself going without eye contact from another person over quite a bit of time and distance. A smile and making eye contact with new students can help them feel acknowledged.
- Measure “welcome to campus” and “I’m glad you’re here.” Everyone from professors to administrators to staff to students is often stressed and trying to take care of their well-being and to-do lists in those early days of the semester. Sometimes we simply need the intention to get our focus off of ourselves and onto the needs of others. Make it a goal the first week of school to say these phrases to others at least five times a day.
- Teamwork makes the dream work. It can be super uncomfortable for one individual to approach another to invite them to eat, walk to class, study, etc. However, pairing up with a friend or even a group whose intended purpose is to create opportunities for connection or gatherings of like-minded people can make the welcome experience for students more effective.
- Don’t reinvent the wheel. New students coming to college and needing connection is not new. That means there have been bright, creative minds at work on this challenge for decades and they leave a treasure-trove of ideas all around the internet (and likely the history of your particular college) that you can draw from. Here is an example of just one link to (75!) ideas!
College retention efforts benefit everyone from staff, professors, and students, to the financial bottom line of an institution. Efforts towards helping students feel welcome and find their place of connection and belonging reward all involved. Whether it is an individual effort or a collective campus experience, take the time to help your students feel welcome today!
Published August 26, 2024. By Anne Rulo, Author, Speaker, Therapist. www.annerulo.com. FB/IG/Twitter @annemrulo