Starting a New College Course? Tips for Settling In and Feeling Included (National Inclusion Week 2026)
Posted: 14 September 2026 at 11:03 am | Author: CAW Business School
Starting a new course can bring a lot of change at once. There are new people to meet, different routines to get used to and plenty of information to take in. While some students settle in quickly, for others it can take a little longer to feel comfortable and part of their new college community.
National Inclusion Week, taking place from 14–20 September 2026, is an opportunity to think about what it means to feel included and the small things we can all do to help create a welcoming environment.
If you’ve recently started your course with us, here are some things to keep in mind as you find your feet.
Remember, lots of people are new too
Walking into a new class where you don’t know many people can feel daunting. However, it’s worth remembering that many of the people around you are probably experiencing exactly the same thing.
Even someone who appears confident may be nervous about starting their course, making friends or keeping up with their studies.
You don’t need to make a group of friends immediately. Something as simple as introducing yourself to the person sitting next to you, asking someone about their weekend or chatting about an assignment can be a good starting point.
Give yourself time to settle in
Try not to put pressure on yourself to feel completely settled straight away.
Everyone adjusts to a new course differently. You might make friends during your first week, or it might take a few weeks before you start to find people you connect with. Both are completely normal.
The same applies to getting used to your course. New timetables, teaching styles, online learning platforms and expectations can take time to become familiar.
Look for opportunities to get involved
Getting involved can help you get to know other students and feel more connected to college life.
This doesn’t necessarily mean signing up for everything available. You could contribute to a class discussion, work with somebody different during a group activity, attend a student event or simply spend some time getting to know the people on your course.
Small interactions can gradually make unfamiliar surroundings and faces feel much more familiar.
Think about how you can help others feel included
Inclusion isn’t only about whether we personally feel welcome. It’s also about how our actions can make other people feel.
There are plenty of simple ways you can help create a more inclusive environment. You could invite someone to join your group, make space for quieter classmates to contribute to a conversation or check in with someone who seems to be on their own.
It’s also important to remember that your classmates may have different backgrounds, experiences, responsibilities and ways of communicating. Being open-minded and avoiding assumptions can go a long way towards helping everyone feel comfortable being themselves.
Don’t compare your experience with everyone else’s
It can sometimes seem as though everyone else has already made friends, understands exactly what they’re doing and has college life figured out.
Try not to compare your first few weeks with what you see from other people. Everyone will have different experiences, and what you see in class or on social media doesn’t necessarily tell you how someone is really feeling.
Focus instead on your own progress. Things that feel unfamiliar during your first few days are likely to become much more routine as the weeks go on.
Ask for support when you need it
Starting a new course is a big adjustment, and you aren’t expected to manage everything by yourself. If you’re struggling with your studies, finding it difficult to settle in or experiencing something that is making you feel uncomfortable or excluded, speak to someone.
At The College of Animal Welfare, you can speak to your tutor or head of course for advice and support. Students can also access up to six free, confidential counselling sessions, as well as Togetherall, a 24/7 online mental health and wellbeing service. You’ll also find a range of health and wellbeing resources in the Living Well area of the VLE.
Find out more about the support available on our Health and Wellbeing page.
National Inclusion Week is a useful reminder that creating an inclusive college community isn’t down to one person. We all have a part to play.
As you settle into your course this September, think about one small thing you could do to help somebody else feel welcome. It could be starting a conversation with someone you haven’t spoken to yet, inviting someone to sit with you or simply taking the time to listen to another person’s point of view. Those actions might seem small, but they can make a real difference to someone’s experience of starting college.
If you’re still finding your own feet, give yourself time. Starting somewhere new can take some getting used to, and there are plenty of opportunities ahead to meet people, build connections and make your college experience your own.