Sense of Belonging

Feeling connected to others at your institution

For many students, thinking about college involves two things: studying hard and making lots of friends. However, once arriving at college, many students can feel like they don’t belong. If you find yourself feeling this way, the first thing to understand is that you are NOT alone.

It is very common for new college students to feel like there aren’t other students they can relate to, or that the problems they’re facing are unique. Rest assured, there are many students who have faced what you’re facing - both right now and in past semesters. Making an effort to reach out to other students and learn about them is a good first step to feeling less isolated. Learning from experienced students who have faced and overcome those challenges is even better.

It’s also common to feel like the people at your college or university aren’t there to help. Faculty and staff can seem busy, important, or disinterested. However, nothing could be further from the truth. Those people work in higher education just to help students like you. So if you’re feeling isolated or like a problem is too big to handle, asking a faculty member or advisor is one of the most helpful things you can do.

If we have no peace, it is because we have forgotten that we belong to each other.
Mother Teresa

How can I improve my Sense of Belonging?

Strategies to Use

In each course you’re taking, try to spark up a conversation with just one student you don’t already know. Appreciate both the ways in which you are similar and different. Regardless of those things, it’s likely that you both have similar goals (i.e., a college degree) and similar challenges to face to get there.

Resources at Creighton

Creighton’s residential experience is designed to provide engaging activities, new connections, and personal growth. The Department of Residential Life facilitates honest discussions about current events, relationships, and spirituality to what comes after life on campus.
The John P. Schlegel, SJ, Center for Service and Justice at Creighton University seeks to spark a passion for truth and justice and nourish courage and lives of commitment. The SCSJ engages students in community service, reflection and action on behalf of justice and sustainability as an integral part of their Jesuit, Catholic university education.
CU Involved is your go-to source to discover new events and student organizations and to maintain rosters and other aspects of club involvement. It's the go-to place to apply to join a club or organization or discover events in your areas of interest.
Rooted in Catholic identity and the Ignatian tradition, Campus Ministry accompanies members of the Creighton community into an ever-deepening relationship with a God who calls us to a life of love and service.

Online Resources

“Getting involved” doesn’t always have to include things on campus. Try Meetup.com to explore volunteer opportunities in and around your community.