Table of Contents
Overview
The first year of college is a turning point in a student’s academic journey. In a recent TimelyCare webinar, leaders from Elon University, Texas State University, and the National Resource Center for the First-Year Experience shared research and strategies to help campuses support student belonging, mental health, and persistence. Learn more about the insights shared during the webinar and the key best practices for first-year student success.
Starting college is one of the most pivotal transitions in a student’s life. It’s a pivot point — the fragile space between excitement and exhaustion, between arrival and stop-out. In TimelyCare’s recent webinar, The First-Year Pivot Point: Where Persistence Is Won or Lost, leaders from Elon University, Texas State University, and the National Resource Center for the First-Year Experience shared insights on how institutions can support students during this critical transition.
What is the Emotional Journey for First-Year Students?
Incoming students are eager to succeed. Nearly two-thirds describe themselves as “thrilled and optimistic” or “cautiously excited” about starting college. However, beneath that optimism lies a significant strain, as revealed in TimelyCare’s 2025 survey, New Class, New Conversations: What Incoming Freshmen Want Colleges to Know.
The time between arriving on campus and stopping out is where meaningful connection, care, and belonging can change a student’s path entirely.
What Barriers Do First-Year Students Face?
During the webinar, panelists emphasized that the challenges first-year students face are multifaceted, from finances to belonging.
Belonging and early connection
“One of the lesser-known barriers is when students arrive and don’t know anyone else from their high school or community. That lack of connection can quickly impact persistence. We’ve found success in intentionally creating early cohorts so those students feel supported before they even step foot on campus.”
Jana Lynn Patterson
Associate Vice President for Student Life
Elon University
First-generation experiences
“Forty-three percent of our undergraduates are first in their families to attend college. That means they’re not just navigating new academic and social environments, but also learning how to explain the college experience to families back home.”
Victoria Black
Assistant Vice President for Student Success
Texas State University
Campus-specific challenges
“We can’t assume the reasons students stop out are the same everywhere. Sometimes the data reveals surprising trends, like honors students at one institution being more likely to leave because they saw the school as a stepping stone.”
Kate Lehman
Executive Director
National Resource Center for the First-Year Experience
University of South Carolina
The discussion highlighted the critical need for comprehensive support addressing the hurdles in front of students that can keep them from meeting their academic goals.
How Are Identity and Belonging Evolving?
One audience question was asked about how the elimination of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives might affect students.
Black responded, “The verdict is still out. But we know community and belonging will always be central. We must keep creating spaces where students feel supported regardless of policy shifts.”
Lehman added, “Higher ed doesn’t exist in a vacuum. This is a chance to rethink how we build equity into the fabric of our institutions, so that every student feels they belong.”
Even as DEI initiatives are removed, the discussion during the webinar emphasized the importance of college and university campuses fostering community and belonging by integrating equity into institutional practices.
Why Does Cross-Campus Collaboration Matter in Higher Education?
Another consistent theme from the panelists’ discussion was the importance of collaboration across departments.
Integrated communication across campus departments
“Student success has to be an integrated, holistic effort. Financial planning, housing, counseling, academics; if those areas aren’t communicating, then one barrier can derail a student’s whole experience.”
Jana Lynn Patterson
Associate Vice President for Student Life
Elon University
Using real-time data to quickly address student issues
“Even our housing staff has a dedicated assistant director for strategic interventions. When we saw students not logging into the [learning management system] LMS, we cross-checked with dining and rec center data. Sometimes it’s as simple as asking if a student has a working laptop.”
Victoria Black
Assistant Vice President for Student Success
Texas State University
By being intentional with collaboration in communication and leveraging resources like real-time data, colleges and universities can remove barriers for students, ensuring a seamless and supportive campus experience.
How Are College Campuses Addressing Loneliness?
Loneliness is one of the most pressing issues facing first-year students. Even with abundant programming, many students opt out of engagement opportunities.
Technology plus outreach
“Our six-week surveys help advisors pinpoint students’ needs early. It’s not just technology, it’s technology plus personal outreach.”
Jana Lynn Patterson
Associate Vice President for Student Life
Elon University
Peer-to-peer support
“The power of a peer is huge. Sometimes students don’t want to sit down with an administrator, but they’ll open up to another student who’s been in their shoes.”
Victoria Black
Assistant Vice President for Student Success
Texas State University
Building community
“Helping students build strong peer relationships isn’t just about persistence; it’s about preparing them to be good neighbors and citizens.”
Kate Lehman
Executive Director
National Resource Center for the First-Year Experience
University of South Carolina
Texas State University’s peer-to-peer support program, “Bobcat Chats,” offers students the opportunity to meet with resident assistants in their hall twice per semester. This is just one example of how colleges and universities are taking a variety of approaches to combat loneliness and build connections among students.
How Can Institutions Remove the Stigma of Struggle?
Students often arrive believing their college experience should be flawless. Panelists agreed that institutions must take steps to help change that perception.
Normalize imperfection
“Our students come in thinking everyone else is having a perfect experience. We need to normalize that challenges are part of growth, not signs of failure.”
Jana Lynn Patterson
Associate Vice President for Student Life
Elon University
Build confidence
“Fear of failure is real. Our job is to empower students with confidence, show them that it’s okay to stumble, and encourage them to keep going.”
Victoria Black
Assistant Vice President for Student Success
Texas State University
By creating an environment where growth is encouraged, mistakes are viewed as learning opportunities, and resilience is celebrated, institutions can help students transition from surviving to thriving on their educational journey.
5 Evidence-Based Practices to Establish First-Year Success for College Students
Based on the panelists’ insights, consider these five evidence-based practices that your college or university can implement to boost first-year student success:
1. Make Belonging Essential
Create intentional opportunities for students to connect with peers, faculty, and mentors.
2. Address Basic Needs
Ensure students can access what they need to stay on track, such as food, childcare, and financial resources.
3. Adapt to Diverse Learners
Offer flexible options for support for online, adult, and first-gen students.
4. Pair Data With Human Connection
Use early alerts and dashboards that combine the insights of real-time data with personal outreach.
5. Normalize Struggle and Take Steps to Build Resilience
Help students reframe setbacks and failure, giving them the tools and resources necessary to develop persistence.
By weaving together a strong sense of community, comprehensive student support, and a growth-oriented mindset, institutions can build a campus culture where first-year students can stay engaged and minimize risk of students stopping out.
How TimelyCare Helps First-Year Students at the Pivot Point
The transition into college will always come with challenges. But with the right support, students can turn those challenges into opportunities for growth. As Lehman said, “The image of a college student is no longer a monolith. Today’s learners are diverse, and higher ed must be agile enough to meet them where they are.”
TimelyCare partners with colleges to ensure every student receives the care, connection, and community they need to thrive.
Contact us to learn how we can help your campus thrive.
Key Takeaways
- Belonging is one of the best predictive factors of first-year student success
- Collaboration across campus departments is essential for the early intervention necessary to keep students enrolled
- Normalizing struggle can reduce stigma and build resilience among college students
- Peer support and early outreach help prevent loneliness and the risk of stopping out
- Institutions must adapt to serve diverse student populations with flexible support options
FAQs
The first year of college sets the tone for student persistence, academic success, and well-being.
Through mental health care, peer support, and tools that help campuses respond early and often.
Social withdrawal, missed assignments, or a drop in engagement with campus services can all be signs that a student may be disengaging and considering leaving school.
Integrated support, proactive outreach, and a campus culture that normalizes struggle can help first-year students when they have the pivot point of having arrived on campus and considering stopping out.
