It’s the beginning of the semester. Students come into class and sit down in the seat they will likely occupy for the next several weeks. Other students come in and sit down, too. And frequently, they don’t know each other.

Consider taking 5-10 minutes of your first (or second!) class meeting, and asking students to exchange phone numbers with the students sitting near them. Encourage them to call each other if they want a study partner, or if they miss a class and need the notes.

Helping students make connections with peers is a simple way to help them feel a sense of belonging. And when students believe they belong — in a class, in a degree program, at New York Tech — they are more likely to succeed.

Resources:

• Crosling, G. And M. Heagney. (2009). Improving student retention in higher education: Improving teaching and learning. Australian Universities Review. 51(2): 9-18. Accessed online at: https://files.eric.ed.gov/fulltext/EJ864028.pdf
• O'Keeffe, P. (2013). A sense of belonging: Improving student retention, College Student Journal. 47(4): 605-613. Accessed online at: https://researchbank.rmit.edu.au/view/rmit:33763/n2006055432.pdf
• Owolabi, E. (2018). Improving Student Retention, Engagement and Belonging. Lutheran Education Journal. Nov. 13, 2018 issue. Accessed online at: https://lej.cuchicago.edu/secondary-education/improving-student-retention-engagement-and-belonging/
• Zepke, N., L. Leach, and T. Prebble. (2006). Being learner centred: One way to improve student retention? Studies in Higher Education. 31(5): 587-600. Accessed online at: https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Nick_Zepke/publication/248963062_Being_learner_centred_One_way_to_improve_student_retention/links/0c96053c6d3505dd2e000000.pdf