{"id":65773,"date":"2025-11-06T12:15:33","date_gmt":"2025-11-06T12:15:33","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/kortext.com\/stream\/?p=65773"},"modified":"2025-11-06T12:15:39","modified_gmt":"2025-11-06T12:15:39","slug":"how-much-support-is-too-much","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/kortext.com\/stream\/blog\/how-much-support-is-too-much\/","title":{"rendered":"How much support is too much?"},"content":{"rendered":"

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How much support is too much? Balancing help and autonomy in student success<\/span><\/span><\/h1>\n

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Student <\/span>advising:<\/span> from <\/span><\/span>for<\/span><\/span> to<\/span> <\/span>with<\/span><\/span><\/h3>\n

Each autumn, campuses come alive with new students \u2013 and with them, a familiar question: <\/span>how much support is the right amount?<\/span><\/i>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Over the years, student induction has evolved. Once something universities did <\/span>for<\/span><\/i> students, then <\/span>to<\/span><\/i> them, it\u2019s now increasingly done <\/span>with<\/span><\/i> students \u2013 from planning to execution.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The idea of the \u2018traditional\u2019 student has also evolved. It\u2019s more useful to <\/span>talk about different generations<\/span><\/a> of new entrants, each with distinct expectations, experiences and needs.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

This shift demands a more personalised, responsive approach to support \u2013 one that adapts to who students are and how they learn.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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The personalisation challenge<\/span><\/span><\/h3>\n

Personalised support is the goal, but <\/span>it\u2019s<\/span> not always easy. Academic and support staff juggle teaching, research, advising and countless other responsibilities. Creating individualised experiences for every learner can feel impossible.<\/span><\/p>\n

That\u2019s<\/span> why partnership and insight matter. By working <\/span><\/span>with<\/span><\/span> students and using engagement data to inform when <\/span>\u2013<\/span> and how <\/span>\u2013<\/span> to reach out, staff can provide just-enough support while encouraging independence.<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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Different approaches for different students<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/h3>\n

Like many, my own experience of university advising was quite paternalistic <\/span>\u2013<\/span> and, at times, that was exactly what I needed. I <\/span>didn\u2019t<\/span> know what a journal was, or why it mattered<\/span> in assignments<\/span>. I had no idea where to start with career planning.<\/span><\/span> Guidance from my <\/span><\/span><\/span>p<\/span><\/span><\/span>ersonal <\/span><\/span><\/span>t<\/span><\/span><\/span>utor to navigate university life was vital.<\/span><\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Further, <\/span>the advisor role must shift <\/span>\u2013<\/span> expert, guide, coach, friend, mentor <\/span>\u2013<\/span> depending on the student themselves. Advisors must adapt their approach to offering and providing support as students mature in their knowledge and understanding of what it means to be at university. <\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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\"A<\/p>\n

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Everyone needs support<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/h3>\n

Developing<\/span> academicall<\/span>y<\/span> purposeful behaviours takes time. Students must learn how to learn, understand their <\/span>environment<\/span> and discover how to thrive. <\/span>Some students settle quickly; others take longer to find their rhythm.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

What matters is having the right conversation at the right<\/span> moment.<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Kortext supports student success by enabling staff to use engagement data to <\/span>identify<\/span> and <\/span>assist<\/span> students early, especially during the critical first weeks.\u00a0<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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How Kortext stream supports meaningful conversations<\/span><\/span><\/h3>\n

Kortext stream is a learning engagement platform that helps staff use student engagement data to <\/span>identify<\/span> when someone might need a check-in <\/span>\u2013<\/span> whether <\/span>it\u2019s<\/span> low activity, a sudden <\/span>dip<\/span> or early signs of struggle.<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

This data <\/span>isn\u2019t<\/span> just for staff. When students can <\/span><\/span>see<\/span><\/span> their own learning journey through stream\u2019s dashboards, it changes the conversation. They understand why staff are reaching out and can take a more active role in deciding what support they need.<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

For current Kortext stream users, small shifts in how data is shared can make <\/span>a big difference<\/span>.<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n