Student Care and Outreach assists thousands students across a variety of contexts.  In our experience, each student and situation is unique, but the themes involved are often similar.  Below, we have attempted to pull together the most common scenarios we encounter and have included some candid, straight-forward starting places for student and parents.

For more information and a comprehensive set of resources, check out our Student Resources page.  Still need assistance?  For significant concerns, use the “Share a Concern Now” link above.

I'm having trouble connecting with others...

  1. Start locally:
    1. Introduce yourself to your neighbors; find casual ways to connect with them – “Is anyone heading out to grab food soon?”, “Anyone need a ride to Target?”
    2. Email or text your RA or AM to meet for lunch.
    3. Hang out in your hall; attend hall programs, and respond to group chats to offer help when asked.  Generally, make yourself accessible.
    4. Attend building program and volunteer events.
  2. Join a Club:
    1. Browse and search clubs online.  Join the ones you like or email the president to learn more.  What did you like doing in high school…we have that here.
    2. Ask for an involvement consultation with an involvement ambassador to get individualized suggestions.  They will even go to interest meetings with you!
  3. Find Unique, Small-Group Experiences:
    1. Volunteer with the Kernodle Center – small group activities with a high focus on social connections. Email elonvols@elon.edu to get started.
    2. Attend an Alternative Fall/Spring Break trip through Elon Outdoors or Elon Volunteers.
    3. Attend an upcoming event with someone you know already.
  4. Connect with Your Personal Identities:
    1. Reach out to staff and offices who support specific identities on campus.
    2. Participate in Sisterhood Circle (ALANAM women and non-binary), MIA (ALANAM men and non-binary).
    3. Participate in the GLC’s Lavender Circle.
    4. Connect with a multi-faith group through the Truitt Center.
  5. Find a Mentor:
    1. Get a job on campus to meet others and gain some work experience.  Check out the Elon Job Network to get started. SMART Mentors help to ease the transition of students of color to Elon.
    2. Disability mentors provide academic and accommodations support for students with registered disabilities.
  6. Take Care of Your Basic Needs:
    1. Make sure you’re exercising, getting sleep, and eating regularly.
    2. Maintain a balanced schedule – some study, some social, some downtime.
    3. Consider counseling or other support if you find that mental health or medical needs are interfering with your ability to connect with others.

I'm behind in my classes...

  1. Attend class and don’t stop:
    1. If you’ve been missing class, now is the time to attend.  Show up, whether you know the material or not.
    2. If you find that you can’t attend classes out of guilt, shame or anxiety, consider talking to your advisor about adjusting your schedule (see Step 4, below).
  2. Ask for help:
    1. Email your professor to ask for a meeting…or stay after class to talk to your professor. Use our “How to Talk to Faculty” site for sample emails.  Explain what’s going on and your goals.  Ask for assistance and options.  Ask for an honest assessment of your chances for success.
    2. Start using a tutor:
      1. Content Tutors help with the course itself – Elon has drop-in tutoring and by-appointment tutoring.
      2. Learning Assistance Tutors help with study skills, can review your calendar, and assist you to prepare for tests and projects.
    3. Talk to your advisor.  They can provide advice on whether to remain in the class and what other support might be useful.
    4. Talk to your RA or Orientation Leader for assistance with academic and other resources.
    5. Register with Disability Resources (if applicable). Accommodations are designed to provide equitable opportunities for students with recognized disabilities.  Register as early as you can and use the accommodations provided.  Your disability diagnosis remains confidential and is not shared with faculty.
  3. Consider trimming your schedule:
    1. Look at each class individually.  How often are you attending?  What is your most recent grade.  How many missing grades do you have.  Does the syllabus allow for late work?  Do you view the professors as being willing to work with you?
    2. Depending on the timing involved (see academic calendar) and how far behind you are, consider whether you should drop or withdraw from a course.  For a tool that can help you decide, see our “Academic Strategies and Timeline” page. (NOTE: Dropping below 12 has implications for financial aid and housing – so talk to your advisor first).
    3. If you are behind in all classes and if there is a medical or mental health concern involved, consider a medical leave. If there is a personal hardship reason involved, consider a hardship leave. (NOTE: There are important considerations – check in with your advisor or the Dean of Students).
  4. Know your academic policies:  In the worst case scenario, it’s helpful to know what a bad grade might mean – Elon has a very flexible set of academic policies.
    1. Repeats allow you to retake a class and replace the grade in your GPA.
    2. Transfer credits allow you to transfer credits from an outside school.  But they don’t replace the grade in your GPA.
    3. Medical Leaves allow you to withdraw from all courses for medical or mental health needs.
    4. Retro-active Medical Withdraws allow you to withdraw from a prior semester’s courses based on medical or mental health needs.
  5. Take care of your basic needs:
    1. Make sure you’re exercising, getting sleep, and eating regularly.
    2. Maintain a balanced schedule – some study, some social, some downtime.
    3. Consider counseling or other support if you find that mental health or medical needs are interfering with your ability to do well in your courses.

My mental health is getting in the way...

  1. Take care of your basic needs:
    1. Exercise: take walks, go for a run, go to the gym – raise your heart rate.  Exercise reduces anxiety and depression, reduces stress, and improves mood.
    2. Sleep consistently: Set-up a regular sleep and wake time and remain as consistent as possible – even on weekends.  Avoid caffeine, nicotine and alcohol late in the day. Relax before bed and avoid distractions right before sleep.  Most adults require between 7-9 hours of sleep each night.
    3. Maintain a balanced schedule: some study, some social, some downtime.
  2. Know Your Self-Help Resources
    1. Take an anonymous mental health screening to know whether you should connect with a behavioral health professional.
    2. Download Elon’s Welltrack App for interactive self-help tools (track moods, learn coping strategies, etc.)
  3. Talk to Someone:
    1. Start with a friend, parent or trusted adult.  Share what’s going on and bounce ideas off of them.
    2. Consider connecting with a counselor.  Elon has staff counselors or you can connect virtually with a counselor through Elon’s TimelyCare App.  You can also search for a counselor off campus using Psychology Today or Elon’s Off-Campus Referral database.
    3. Not sure where to start?  Let us help.  Click “Share a Concern Now” in the menu above.
  4. If things get unsafe (thoughts of self harm), make a call:
    1. Elon Counselor on Call: 336-278-2222
    2. National Suicide Hotline (Chat Now) or 1-800-273-8255
    3. The Steve Fund (Crisis Chat Line for Persons of Color) (Text STEVE to 741741)
    4. The Trevor Hotline (for LGBTQ Youth) (866-488-7386)