Taking the time to ask the right questions and learn about the prospective student is very important to ensure that the student is a right fit for the educational programs and that the college is right for the prospective student. 

"What happens in the classroom during the first week will reinforce a student's decision or cause them to seriously doubt their desire and ability to succeed." This resonated with me. 

Orientation should make the student feel prepared and confident in the staffs ability to teach, mentor, and encourage them throughout their academic journey. It's important for faculty to be there to provide support.

It's important to make the student feel valued and encouraged. Keep a positive attitude and show them exactly why they chose the school they did. 

We have to remember to be "customer obsessed". The students should take priority and be made to feel like one, not just in words but with our actions. 

I learned that ensuring the student knows who to contact for whatever issue or need they have along with ensuring they know the resources available to them to contribute to their success and ours as an institution. 

There were two probes mentioned to aid in getting to the root of the students' behaviors/barriers. Each student will be different but the end result of launching them with positive and planned actions will aid in their success. 

It's detrimental to the overall students learning experience to ensure that they know they have support. The more support and encouragement they receive, the more the stress or lack of self-confidence diminishes, the better the students can perform and obtain their goals. 

I learned from this section that early communication and often will be paramount in helping the students succeed and removing barriers to their learning. It's best to be proactive vise reactive, and student services staff has many tools and resources.