As students return to campus, they’re bringing more than course schedules and dorm essentials. They’re also bringing expectations about who belongs, who succeeds, and who gets to ask for help. For many, particularly first-generation or historically underserved students, these assumptions can create real obstacles. Academic support may be available, but if it doesn’t feel accessible or welcoming, it often goes unused.
This isn’t about lack of need. It’s about perception. Students may assume tutoring is only for those who are falling behind or failing. They may not want to be seen walking into a support center or sending that first message to a tutor. The result is a widespread underuse of services, especially by the students who stand to benefit the most. Too often, asking for help feels like admitting defeat instead of taking a smart step forward.
The early weeks of the semester are critical in shifting this mindset. During this time, students are still forming habits, learning the campus culture, and deciding which resources feel “for them.” Institutions that embed support into that experience—making it visible, normal, and easy to access—set the stage for stronger engagement throughout the year. This is not just a retention strategy. It’s a culture-building opportunity.
Peer tutoring offers a particularly effective way to normalize help-seeking. When students receive support from someone who has taken the same class, navigated the same challenges, and found success, it removes the stigma. It reframes the experience as collaborative rather than corrective. Peer support doesn’t just meet academic needs. It builds connection, confidence, and a stronger sense of belonging.
At Knack, we help institutions make this shift. Our peer tutoring model is designed to meet students where they are: academically, socially, and logistically. That means support is available beyond traditional hours, online or in person, and always from peers who understand the experience firsthand. We also partner with campuses to proactively identify high-impact courses, ensuring support is offered in the places students need it most. As a result, more than half of Knack users report it was their first time using academic support. That first step becomes easier when the entire system is built to welcome it.
This fall, support services should not be treated as a backup plan. They should be part of the core student experience. Asking for help should feel as routine as registering for classes or joining a study group. When institutions build this culture intentionally, more students take advantage of the resources available, and more students succeed because of it.
Looking to build a culture of support on your campus this semester? Visit JoinKnack.com.
