5 Building a Support System
Learning Outcomes
- Identify support services offered at your college or campus that are most relevant to you.
- Use at least two support services this semester.
Support Systems
Every student needs a support system, a group of people who can help them reach their academic goals. These individuals serve as mentors, advisors, and encouragers as they assist students with problem solving.
Some students receive that support from family and/or friends, but that is not the case for every student. Although support from family and friends may differ from student to student, every college offers supports that students can access.
College Resources and Services
Services at most colleges include supports like tutoring, career counseling, libraries, and academic advising. They may include resources for financial emergencies, such as a food pantry or emergency grants. Services for specific populations like veterans, students needing accommodations, and international students should be available, as well.
Complete the following exercise to learn about the supports available at your college and to identify the resources that you can add to your support system.
Activity: Research Support Services
Visit your college’s website. Most colleges have a section that references words and phrases like “student services” or “student support” on the page. What types of supports are available to students at your college? Familiarize yourself with the various supports at your college.
- Which supports would be most useful to you? Make a list.
- If you are a distance learner, find out how to access those supports online. If you take in-person classes, visit the locations of those services on your campus. Reach out to the staff to learn more about the available services.
- Choose at least two support services to use this semester that you do not already use. In what situations do you plan to access these services? Make this a short term goal.