Holistic Student Success Platform
sense of belonging
A strong sense of belonging can significantly enhance your college experience. Feeling connected to others fosters personal growth, academic success, and overall well-being. This guide provides actionable strategies and resources to help you cultivate a sense of belonging.
For many students, thinking about college involves two things: studying hard and making lots of friends. However, once arriving at college, many students can feel like they don’t belong. If you find yourself feeling this way, the first thing to understand is that you are NOT alone.
It is very common for new college students to feel like there aren’t other students they can relate to, or that the problems they’re facing are unique. Rest assured, there are many students who have faced what you’re facing - both right now and in past semesters. Making an effort to reach out to other students and learn about them is a good first step to feeling less isolated. Learning from experienced students who have faced and overcome those challenges is even better.
It’s also common to feel like the people at your college or university aren’t there to help. Faculty and staff can seem busy, important, or disinterested. However, nothing could be further from the truth. Those people work in higher education just to help students like you. So if you’re feeling isolated or like a problem is too big to handle, asking a faculty member or advisor is one of the most helpful things you.
If we have no peace, it is because we have forgotten
that we belong to each other.
Mother Theresa
General Tips and Strategies to Improve Sense of Belonging
Get Involved on Campus
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Join clubs and organizations: Explore student groups that align with your interests, hobbies, or cultural identity.
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Attend campus events: Participate in lectures, performances, or recreational activities to meet like-minded peers.
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Volunteer: Engage in community service projects through your university to connect with others and contribute meaningfully.
Build Personal Connections
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Connect with your peers: Strike up conversations with classmates, roommates, and people you meet in common spaces.
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Form study groups: Collaborating academically can help build friendships.
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Make time for casual interactions: Spend time in shared areas like lounges or cafeterias where informal connections often happen.
Utilize Campus Resources
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Visit resource centers: Many colleges have multicultural centers, LGBTQ+ centers, or other affinity spaces designed to foster inclusion.
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Engage with academic advisors: Advisors can provide guidance on navigating your college environment and suggest ways to get more involved.
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Attend wellness programs: Participate in mental health workshops or peer support groups to connect with others facing similar challenges.
Sense of Belonging Resources at SIPI
Provide confidential, one-on-one sessions to help students balance school, work, and personal life, improving academic success. Students are encouraged to meet with counselors early and often, especially if facing academic challenges or needing support. Services are offered in a friendly environment at the Student Success Center, Building 101, Rooms 150 & 151.
SIPI's Student Government Association
Empowers students by fostering leadership, amplifying their voice, and enhancing campus life through various activities, with updates for Spring 2025 coming soon.
Joining a student club at SIPI
Offers opportunities to build leadership, teamwork, and communication skills while boosting self-confidence, networking, and giving back to the community, fostering personal and professional growth.
Offers housing for 256 students in traditional-style dorms, promoting a safe learning environment with social and academic support, fostering personal growth through diverse interactions and activities. Housing applications are reviewed on a first-come, first-served basis, with a $75 fee required upon acceptance; waitlisted students must be enrolled full-time.