The first year of college is one of the biggest transitions most people ever make. Blackburn Mentoring supports students from the summer before they leave through the first semester and beyond, with one dedicated mentor who meets with them by video weekly or several times a week, with text and phone contact in between and helps them build a life that works on their own.
Before they leave
- Practicing the routines college requires: waking up, planning the week, managing money
- Setting goals for the first semester
- Knowing where to find help on campus before it is needed
- Talking through worries about roommates, workload and being away from home
The first semester
- A weekly plan built around a new class schedule
- Staying on top of deadlines when nobody is checking
- Using office hours, advising and campus resources
- Making friends and finding a community
- Noticing early when things start to slide, and adjusting
Why the first year matters so much
Habits formed in the first few months of college tend to stick, good or bad. A student who builds a working routine early has much more room to enjoy everything else college offers. A mentor helps make that routine real, then steps back as the student takes it over.
For parents
It is hard to watch from a distance. With the student’s permission, mentors share progress updates, so you know how the transition is going and can support it without managing it.
How to start
- Take a short assessment. Tell us about the student or yourself and the goals. It takes about five minutes.
- Have a free intro call. Our team reviews it personally and sets up a short call.
- Meet the mentor. We match each person with a mentor whose experience and style fit.
- Start the plan. 30 or 60 minute video sessions on a weekly or monthly plan, scheduled in your local time.
Related
Questions about first year mentoring
When should we start?
The summer before college is ideal, so routines are in place before classes begin, but mentoring can start at any point in the first year.
Can the student keep the same mentor all year?
Yes. Students work with one dedicated mentor for as long as they want support.
Does it work at any college?
Yes. Sessions are by video and scheduled in the student’s local time, wherever they study in the US.
Get started
Getting a student ready for college? Call (888) 305 5422, email contact@blackburnmentoring.com or start with a short assessment. A member of our team reviews every assessment personally and sets up a free intro call.