Students must maintain professionally appropriate relationships with instructors, characterized by clear and regular communication, to succeed in individual courses. Unlike primary and secondary education, the responsibility for maintaining that relationship falls primarily on the student, and must be cultivated.
Positive relationships with peers provide students with basic academic tools for success; for example, peer study groups for final exams. Senior students can provide excellent role models for incoming students, and in general, good peer relationships can reduce the stress associated with advanced study.
College advisors, including faculty mentors, financial aid officers, and so on, provide key guidance to students that helps students progress toward degree completion, and play a key role in coaching students to develop appropriate academic relationships with instructors, peers, and the administration.