How does coaching help cultivate a learner’s sense of belonging?

Understanding belonging — and why it’s so crucial to a student’s success

The first days of college are a blur of new faces, unfamiliar classes and endless possibilities. While many students look forward to the growth and opportunities associated with higher education, the reality can be daunting. The pressure to succeed academically, coupled with the fear of social isolation, can make it difficult for learners to find their footing. In fact, studies have shown that a strong sense of belonging is crucial for students’ mental health and academic performance.  The challenge, then, is how can we help all learners — from the 18-year-old freshman to the working mom returning to finish her degree — navigate this complex landscape and foster a sense of community that supports their well-being and success?

For a firsthand take, hear from learners who have cultivated community and a sense of belonging as they worked with a student success coach.

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Unpacking the layers of belonging

Belonging isn't as simple as it may seem. It's a multifaceted concept, composed of interconnected factors that significantly influence a student's motivation to stay in school and continually progress toward achieving their goals. Here’s how researchers explain the importance of fostering student belonging on learner success.

Sense of Belonging is an important non-cognitive construct (a belief) that is considered a basic human need and is included in a variety of theories focused on achievement and motivation.  

According to Dr. Terrell Strayhorn, a noted researcher on factors that influence persistence, “A college student’s need for belonging must be satisfied before any other higher-order needs such as knowledge and self-actualization.” 

In the literature, Sense of Belonging is associated with higher academic performance and achievement, persistence and retention — especially for minority students and students who have been socially disadvantaged. Simply put, attaining a sense of belonging is imperative for learners to achieve positive student outcomes.

To better understand the concept of belonging, we turn to the groundbreaking work of Dr. Vincent Tinto, a renowned expert in student retention. His findings indicate that students need integration into four key areas of college life in order to persist: 

• Formal academic systems (academic performance)
• Informal academic systems (interactions with faculty and staff)
• Formal social systems (extracurricular activities) 
• Informal social systems (peer group interactions)

Layered together, belonging includes connecting students with their peers, the institution and staff around them, their academics and major, and all other aspects of their college or university.

To put it into context, a student who feels a sense of belonging at their college or university is likely to be actively engaged in both academic and social aspects of campus life. Imagine a learner who attends class regularly, seeks help from professors, joins a club and has a group of friends to study and hang out with. This student is more likely to feel connected to their institution and, as a result, more likely to stay enrolled and succeed.

This complexity is precisely why one-on-one personalized coaching can be a real help for students struggling with belonging. 

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Insights from KSBs and the connection to belonging

At InsideTrack, our coaching methodology is designed to work with students to develop a sense of belonging. One of the ways we tap into a learner’s sense of belonging is by helping them to identify and hone their KSBs — knowledge, skills and beliefs. The KSBs capture what students are able to know, think or do as a result of an intervention — in this case, InsideTrack coaching. 

Knowledge refers to the information students need to be able to navigate school and life. For example, “What resources are available to me and where can I access them?”

Skills reference the student’s ability to carry out specific tasks essential for student success — such as time management, communication and problem-solving.

Beliefs are thoughts and values that shape the student’s view on their ability to succeed — including feeling a sense of belonging, as well as strong self-awareness and a growth mindset.

KSB data are important because they identify student knowledge, skills and beliefs — information which can help student support staff and administrators:

• Showcase what students gain as they progress through school
• Recognize ways we can support students to improve and succeed in relevant focus areas
• Demonstrate efficacy and ensure we deliver on our mission to advance learners

By fostering a strong sense of belonging, students are empowered to grow and leverage their other KSBs. When students feel more at ease and connected to their school community, they are more likely to believe in their abilities, seek out new knowledge and develop essential skills. Ultimately, a sense of belonging is the foundation upon which students can thrive — both inside and outside the classroom.

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How success coaching cultivates belonging

Let's say you're a student who's feeling a bit lost. Maybe you're struggling with imposter syndrome, questioning your fit at a school you really wanted to attend, or yearning for deeper connections with your peers. These are all aspects of belonging, and a success coach can help learners navigate them.

When a dedicated success coach proactively reaches out, it sends a clear message: the school cares about you and your well-being. Coaches empower students to tap into a wide range of institutional resources, from clubs and activities to tutoring and writing centers. While academic success is often a primary focus, coaches also address challenges beyond the classroom, such as building friendships, balancing school and life, and developing essential soft skills, such as time management, problem-solving, communication and teamwork.

For nearly 25 years, InsideTrack’s dedicated coaches have been empowering all learners to thrive. Through our research-proven coaching methodology, we've developed effective strategies to create a supportive learning environment. By fostering a sense of belonging, we empower students to reach their full potential and become confident, well-rounded individuals. Here are some of the ways coaching helps foster belonging:

• Provides personalized support and shows students they are valued
• Empowers students to access and leverage campus resources
• Helps students address challenges beyond the classroom, such as building friendships and balancing life with coursework
• Creates a safe space for students to openly discuss their experiences and consents, allowing them to build trust, be vulnerable and overcome challenges 
• Builds confidence and communication skills necessary to engage with faculty, student support staff and fellow students
• Lets students know they have a go-to ally in their corner — someone there to actively listen and work together on problem solving

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When belonging is a challenge

When a student confides in their coach about feeling isolated or struggling to find their place, a collaborative partnership can be a game-changer. Together, they can develop a personalized plan to foster a stronger sense of belonging. The coach can serve as a dedicated ally, providing support and accountability as the student:

• Implements specific strategies to integrate into college life
• Tracks progress and assesses the effectiveness of their approach
• Celebrates milestones and successes
• Adjusts their plan as needed to address new challenges

Ultimately, by working closely with their coach, students can build the confidence and connections necessary to thrive in their academic and social lives.

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How can you fuel belonging among your student body?

Having supported millions of students at schools of all shapes and sizes, our coaches are a wealth of insights on how to help build and strengthen belonging. 

Here are a few actionable tips to get things started:

• ‍Start with an assessment. Put yourself in the shoes of the learners you work with to gauge their sense of belonging. A multifaceted assessment could include asking them questions about things like perceived peer support, classroom comfort, isolation and faculty support. Instruments with psychometric evidence, such as the Sense of Belonging Scale developed by M.B. Hoffman et al, provide concrete examples of an assessment that can be used to gauge where students feel a strong sense of belonging and where they may need more resources.‍
• Ask them to respond to the prompt: “Do I feel like I belong…”
  • In my classroom? (in person or online)
  • In the financial aid office?
  • With the rest of my cohort/peers?
  • In my major?
  • Talking to my advisor?
  • In campus public spaces (like the dining hall or library) or online forums?
  • In student housing?
  • In hosted events?
  • When receiving school communications?‍
• Actively listen. Don’t assume you know what your students are going through or how they feel. Listen. Really listen.‍
• Let students lead. While you might have a plan or an idea for where your talk will go, let your students guide the conversation. Their priorities should be at the forefront.‍
• Make sure communication is proactive, not just reactive. Proactive communication shows genuine care. Reach out to your students to make them feel welcomed, rather than waiting for them to initiate contact when they’re lost and feeling overwhelmed. ‍
• Plan for progress. Work together to set actionable goals with deadlines. This keeps students motivated and provides a clear path forward.‍
• Connect them to their field of study. Encourage students to engage with their major through professor-led discussions and office hours, as well as  internships, study groups and clubs.‍
• Explore  beyond the classroom. Help students discover their passions and connect them to extracurricular activities, civic organizations and campus clubs.

By implementing these success coaching strategies, you can create a more inclusive and welcoming campus community where all students feel valued and supported.

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The power of belonging

Belonging is more than just feeling accepted. That’s why it’s crucial for institutions to ensure students feel valued, supported and invested in. By creating a welcoming environment and treating students like the individuals they are — rather than a number on a spreadsheet — you can empower learners to thrive and reach their full potential.