Ask what groups they’re (or were) involved in. Is there any way St Margaret’s could help continue this for them? If the Member has no outside involvements, strongly suggest options, consider whether they are at risk as a lack of involvements other than study may lead to stress.
How do you take time out for yourself? (good way to identify interests to explore, or procrastination habits to avoid)
Who do you hang out with? Who do you go to meals with? (Come sit with us!) How do you spend time with friends? Who do you go to lectures with? (identify socially struggling Members)
How have your parents (or friends) been coping with you living away from home (identify homesickness issues, can bring this back to the previous question about making friends)
Have any major changes in habits occurred recently?
Encourage the Member to participate in more of the four “social connections”
Learning
Giving (you can ask “Who did you help last year and how did this affect you” or “Who are you hoping to help this year”)
Being active
Mindfulness
Are you enjoying your subject? What papers do you like the most (very good lead into “plan B”)
What are you hoping to achieve out of this year? (not “Do you have any goals for the year”), What’s plan B and plan C? Explain that keeping an open mind for other opportunities is highly important for both motivation and a better time at University. If this is a struggle for the Member, talk some more about their interests.
What are you most worried about? (this is a good question to identify family pressures, pressure from University, or a fear of failure – good areas to provide support in)
How do you enjoy studying? (a good way to identify healthy and unhealthy study habits and provide suggestions)
Are you feeling healthy? (food/exercise/mood)
Steaming of lectures is a last resort! (This pushes people out = fresh air, have breakfast, shower, etc.)
Have you tried the library?
How much free time do you get?
How much of that time do you spend relaxing?
How often do you feel stressed, worried, or on guard?
What’s something new that you would like to try this year?
What gets in your way of studying? What makes your goals harder to achieve?
What helped you overcome these barriers in the past?
Who supports you with these barriers? (a good place to mention College Leaders again)