Orientation is an important part of assimilating to a college environment and a well executed orientation can result in higher retention.

Students want to feel they have made a good investment by seeing the professionalism of instructors, the availability of staff and administration and the quality of their peers. 

Creating a culture =that is student-centric is essential for student success and overall health of an institution. 

Being compassionate and empathetic towards students is essential. 

It is sad that education is a business. 

I think meeting students at their level is very important in both academics and social-emotional readiness and development. Everyone is not at the same level so differentiating in the ways we approach and care for students will look differently. 

Staying positive and working as a team while maintaining a kind heart is important.  

We as instructors need to help students with their retention issues

Colleges have gotten better in meeting the needs of students. When I was in college, there was no support for me when I graduated and had to find a job on my own. There was no guidance into the teacher hiring process or knowledge about what to expect. Nowadays, students have better support systems and can easily succeed in their future careers and education. 

Handholding can often lead to learned helplessness which is why there needs to be a right balance between what the institution can and cannot do for students. When you pamper customers, they begin to feel that all aspects of your business will be the same and will get angry when prices or services change. It is the same with colleges. Students need to be given agency so that they are held accountable when it comes to issues that they are responsible for.