Tips for Student Support Systems

How Support Systems Can Help Students Thrive During the First Year

Whether your student is close to home or hours away, your support can make a meaningful impact. You don’t need all the answers—just be present, curious, and encouraging.

Stay connected by asking about their involvement in Light Your Path, student organizations, and campus events. These experiences help them grow—and show that you're invested in their journey.

Here’s how you can support your student during each month of their first semester:

Month 1: Get Curious, Not Controlling

  • Ask about Light Your Path—What activities have they done? What are they learning?

  • Find out if they’ve explored any student organizations or campus events. What are they enjoying so far?

  • Gently check in on how their classes are going. Are they connecting with the material? Do they feel supported?

Month 2: Encourage Independence and Exploration

  • If they visit home, give them a warm welcome—but gently encourage them to stay on campus more often to build new relationships and get involved.

  • Respect their growing independence. Instead of giving advice right away, ask about their decisions and the “why” behind them.

  • Start career conversations early. Have they discovered new interests or confirmed their current major? Keep it open and pressure-free.

Month 3: Support with Empathy and Encouragement

  • Midterms are here! Celebrate both the big and small wins. If they’re struggling, remind them it’s okay to ask for help—and point them to resources like:

    • Student Success Center

    • Math Academic Resource Center

    • Writing Center

    • Professor office hours listed in each course syllabi

  • Let them face challenges and problem-solve. Offer a listening ear, help them think through next steps, and empower them to advocate for themselves.

  • Be a sounding board, not a fixer. Ask thoughtful questions that help them reflect on their growth.

Month 4: Reflect and Plan Ahead

  • Ask about next semester—Have they registered for classes yet? What are they looking forward to?

  • Reflect with them on this semester: What went well? What would they like to improve?

  • Encourage a mindset of continuous learning and growing, not perfection.

Final Tip:

Your presence, even from a distance, matters. Keep sending the encouraging texts, the “thinking of you” memes, or even a small care package. Sometimes the little things are what students remember most.