Ongoing Support
Staying connected through conversation
As your student settles into college life, your support continues to play a vital role in their college experience. Open, thoughtful conversations can continue to have a meaningful impact on their success, well-being, and sense of connection.
We encourage families to remain a steady source of encouragement and guidance, while also honoring the independence your student is developing. Your reassurance—especially during times of transition or challenge—can remind them that they’re not alone, and that you’re with them every step of the way.
To help you stay connected and engaged, we’ve put together a list of conversation starters designed to spark meaningful dialogue with your student.
Decide together how you’ll keep in contact
College life comes with more freedom—but also more responsibility, choices, and stress. One of the best ways to support your student is by having a conversation about how you’ll stay connected and supportive through it all.
- How often would you like us to check in with each other?
- What’s your preferred way to stay in touch–texts, calls, video chats?
- Are there certain kinds of decisions or situations where you’d like my input?
- What are your personal or academic goals this year–and how can I best support you in reaching them?
Physical, mental, and emotional well-being
College life brings ongoing experiences, responsibilities, and challenges. As your student navigates academics, social life, and personal growth, regular check-ins can help them feel supported and grounded.
- How can I (or we) support you from afar?
- What’s something you’re really looking forward to right now?
- Is there anything that’s been weighing on you or causing stress?
- How are things going with your classes, friends, or other commitments?
- Are there times when you’re feeling overwhelmed?
- What strategies help you manage stress in a healthy way?
Physical health
The Student Health Center is staffed by board-certified physicians, nurse practitioners, physician assistants, and nurses. Offerings include routine medical appointments, same day care, counseling, psychiatry, nutritional counseling, health promotion programs, x-ray, and full laboratory and pharmacy services on site. All registered students have access to the Student Health Center regardless of insurance plan.
Mental health & well-being
Students contact Counseling and Psychology Services (CAPS) for many reasons, including stress, anxiety, academic pressures, relationship concerns, identity exploration, trauma, and adjusting to university life. Our goal is to support their mental health and overall well-being—so they can thrive both personally and academically. Encourage your student to reach out if they’re struggling. Connecting with support early can make a big difference.
Additional well-being resources on campus
Students have access to a wide range of additional wellness and support resources designed to help them thrive. Programs like the Center for Advocacy, Resources & Empowerment (CARE), Slug Mentor Network, On the Margins virtual coaching sessions, SHOP Talk peer mental health education, and 24/7 healthcare kiosks offer accessible, student-centered support. UCSC is also home to the Campus Mobile Crisis Team—the first of its kind in the UC system—providing immediate, compassionate response to students in need.
In addition, UC Santa Cruz adopted the Okanagan Charter and officially became a health promoting university. Today, the UCSC Well-Being Collective brings together departments, programs, and student leaders across campus to promote holistic well-being, mental health awareness, and a culture of care through coordinated campaigns and initiatives.
Academic success and career planning
College academics can be a big adjustment, and your encouragement can make all the difference as your student builds strong study habits, explores new interests, and begins thinking about life after graduation.
Regular check-ins can help your student stay focused and feel supported. Here are some questions to guide your conversations:
- What’s something you’re really looking forward to right now?
- Is there anything that’s been weighing on you or causing stress?
- How are things going with your classes, friends, or other commitments?
- Are there times when you’re feeling overwhelmed?
- What strategies help you manage stress in a healthy way?
- How can I (or we) support you from afar?
Undergraduate Advising
At UCSC, students are supported by college advisors for general academic planning and major advisors for guidance within their chosen field. Many also connect with faculty mentors to help them navigate opportunities and stay on track for graduation.
Learning Support Services
Learning Support Services (LSS) offers peer-led tutoring, helping students strengthen academic skills and build community. LSS promotes educational equity by training undergraduate tutors to provide culturally responsive, inclusive support that helps students catch up, keep up, and excel.
Career Success
Career Success helps students build career skills, connect with employers, and explore opportunities through coaching, career fairs, internships, and campus jobs. Our mission is simple: prepare Banana Slugs to change the world—wherever they are, however they can.
Navigating choices around substances
College can present new choices around alcohol and other drug use. Families play an important role by having open, honest conversations. Encourage your student to understand campus policies, local laws, and available resources, and to think ahead about how they’ll make safe, informed decisions.
- How will you decide whether or not to drink?
- How will you handle pressure from friends?
- What do you know about the effects of alcohol, cannabis, and other drugs?
- Are you aware of the consequences of illegal use and UCSC’s policies on alcohol and other drugs?
Substance use support
Counseling & Psychological Services (CAPS) offers support for students navigating concerns related to alcohol, drug use, and other addictions. Through counseling, education, and referrals, CAPS helps students make healthy choices and succeed academically.
Know the policies
UCSC enforces strict policies: no underage drinking, no illegal drug use (including marijuana), and no smoking outside of designated areas. Violations can bring serious academic and legal consequences. Encourage your student to stay informed and make safe choices.
Healthy relationships and communication
Talking openly about relationships and intimacy can help your student navigate a world filled with mixed messages. Encourage honest conversations about respect, boundaries, and consent. Setting positive goals and having clear communication are key to building healthy connections and preventing harm.
- What are you hoping for in a relationship or partnership?
- What kind of partner do you want to be?
- Are you comfortable identifying and communicating your own boundaries?
- Do you know how to ask others about their boundaries in a respectful way?
- What does consent mean to you, and how can you practice asking for it?
- If someone says or implies no, how can you respond thoughtfully and respectfully?
UCSC supports healthy relationships and student well-being
Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) is here to support your student’s mental health, including through CARE (Center for Advocacy, Resources & Empowerment). CARE provides confidential, free support for students impacted by sexual assault, relationship violence, stalking, or harassment. They also offer prevention education to help foster a campus culture of respect, safety, and belonging.
Navigating roommates, friendships, and campus life
Building strong relationships — whether with roommates, friends, or others — can be one of the most rewarding parts of the college experience, but it can also come with challenges. Learning how to navigate conflict, communicate effectively, and stay connected is an important part of student growth.
- How might you approach this difficult situation if roles were reversed?
- What’s something you could say to a friend to start resolving a conflict?
- Is there anything you might do differently to help improve the situation?
- Have you talked to your Resident Assistant (RA) about strategies for resolving the issue?
- What activities or plans are you and your friends excited about?
- How are you getting involved and building community on campus?
Living with roommates
Living on campus provides your student the opportunity to form lasting friendships with peers from around the world. Encouraging your student to communicate early with their roommates about expectations can help ease the transition. Resident Assistants (RAs) are available to support students with roommate agreements and conflict resolution. While sharing space may be challenging at times, it’s a valuable and rewarding experience.
Finances
The cost of college can be overwhelming, and financial conversations with your student are key to helping them plan effectively. Open discussions about budgeting, income sources, and financial expectations can help ensure a smoother college experience. Encourage your student to think about their financial goals, including managing debt, applying for scholarships, and balancing spending with long-term plans.
- How do you plan to manage your budget while at college?
- What sources of income will you rely on (family support, scholarships, loans)?
- What amount of debt do you feel comfortable taking on for your education?
- How do you plan to handle expenses for programs like study abroad?
- Which scholarships will you apply for this year and next?
- What are your personal values around money and financial security?
- What’s your approach to managing debt, and how do you feel about it?
- What financial goals do you have, and how do you plan to work toward them?
- How do you differentiate what you want and what you truly need?
Financial aid and scholarships
The UCSC Financial Aid and Scholarship Office supports students and families by minimizing financial barriers to education. We offer scholarships, grants, loans, and work-study opportunities, assisting over 12,000 students each year.