Care begins with understanding: How Parami builds a culture of support

On International Day of Care and Support, Parami students and staff reflect on the everyday ways they help one another learn, cope, and belong.

For many university students, academic work is only one part of daily life. Students may also be managing family responsibilities, work, financial difficulties, changes in where they live, or uncertainty about the future. These experiences can affect their well-being and their ability to study, even when they remain committed to their education.

At Parami University, care and support can begin with a simple conversation. It can mean an academic advisor taking time to understand a student’s circumstances, a Student Affairs team member helping a student find the right resource, or a peer creating a safe space for someone to speak openly.

This is the spirit of the International Day of Care and Support, observed on October 29. The day recognizes the importance of care work and calls for support systems that respect both the people who provide care and those who need it. At Parami, the day offers an opportunity to look at how care is practiced across the university community.

Seeing the whole student

Academic Advisor Eaint Thet Hmu says that a student’s academic performance cannot be separated from their personal circumstances. “Students’ academic performance cannot be separated from their personal circumstances and the environments in which they live,” Eaint says. “At Parami, students may be navigating academic deadlines while also dealing with family responsibilities, financial difficulties, work commitments, displacement, or uncertainty about their futures.”

These challenges can lead to emotional exhaustion, anxiety, and difficulty concentrating. They can also make it harder for students to take part in discussions, complete assignments on time, or ask for help.

For Eaint, academic advising becomes a form of care when it looks beyond grades and deadlines. Advisors can start by asking students how they are doing and what challenges they face. They can then work with students to set realistic goals, plan their academic workload, and explore available support. “Sometimes, having someone who listens without making assumptions can make a significant difference in helping students feel less isolated,” Eaint says.

This approach also respects students’ ability to make decisions about their own lives. Instead of deciding for students, advisors can help them understand their options and create a plan that reflects both their academic goals and personal responsibilities.

Academic Advisor Kedhar Wallace Bartlett says this is especially important in an online university community, where it can be difficult to see the person behind the screen.

“In an online university community, it can be harder to view people holistically, as the human beings we are,” Kedhar says. “Building a caring and supportive learning environment means reaching through the screen to get to know the person behind it.”

Getting to know students as people helps advisors, faculty, and staff understand the experiences that shape students’ lives at Parami. It also helps students feel connected, even when they are learning from different places.

Support that helps students belong

Care also depends on the systems and relationships that make support easier to find. Student Affairs team members help students access information, participate in university life, and build connections with others in the Parami community.

For Stellar, a Student Affairs team member, care and support mean “checking in with students, listening to their concerns, and making sure they know they have us to turn to when they need support.”

The Student Affairs team also recognizes that students have different responsibilities beyond their studies. Some may be working, caring for family members, or managing personal challenges. The team works with students to understand their individual circumstances and find suitable ways forward.

Saw Khun Thike (Theo), a Student Affairs team member, says the work includes supporting students’ academic, personal, and emotional well-being. The team shares important announcements and learning opportunities. It also works with other university teams when students face challenges related to their learning environment, internet access, or study facilities. Student meetups, orientation sessions, student clubs, and student-led initiatives give students opportunities to build friendships, develop leadership skills, and feel part of the community.

Emotional support begins with creating a safe and approachable environment. Students can book one-on-one meetings with the Student Affairs team to discuss their concerns. When a student needs specialized help, the team can connect them with appropriate resources, including the Counseling Corner. The team also shares mental-health information and support opportunities through its regular communications. Theo defines care and support as “creating an environment where every student feels heard, valued, included, and supported throughout their university journey.”

Making it easier to ask for help

Peer support is another important part of care at Parami. Through EvolveMinds, a student-led club, students can talk about mental well-being and connect with peers who understand the pressures of university life.

The EvolveMinds Club president, Pone Nyet Aung, says care and support should be available to every student, regardless of their situation or background. “No student at Parami should have to wonder whether their struggles are serious enough to seek help,” the club president says. “Support should be available to every student, whatever their situation or background.”

For many students, speaking first with a classmate or friend can feel easier than approaching a formal support service. EvolveMinds aims to make those conversations feel normal and judgment-free. “As a student, we often find it easier to open up to someone who understands our daily struggles, like the same classes, the same pressures, or the same vibes,” the club president says. “We make that kind of conversation easy and judgment-free, so reaching out feels normal rather than something to hesitate over.”

Online learning can sometimes feel distant. A student may feel that everyone else is managing well while they are the only one falling behind. Peer conversations can help students recognize that they are not alone.

“Sometimes we feel that everyone else is doing fine and that we’re the only one falling behind, but we never know how others are really feeling until someone gives us a chance to speak up and gives others a chance to listen,” the club president says.

EvolveMinds was created in response to this need. The club president explains that many students quietly experience academic stress and personal challenges, but may hesitate to seek formal support. A safe and inclusive peer community can make it easier to ask for help while also reminding students that mental well-being and academic success are connected.

Peer support does not replace professional care. Instead, it can help students begin a conversation, find connection, and reach the right support when they need it.

Care for everyone

The people who support others also need support. Advisors, Student Affairs staff, and student leaders all give time and attention to help others navigate university life. Their work is more sustainable when they also have guidance, clear boundaries, and opportunities to care for their own well-being.

For Kedhar, “care and support for all” means recognizing that every student comes from a different background and has different life experiences. Students are responsible for working toward their education, while the university is responsible for meeting students where they are and offering support and guidance.

“Building a culture of open communication and trust between students, faculty, and staff is probably the most important aspect of this,” Kedhar says. “Communicating challenges, confusion, and struggles is the first step to overcoming these obstacles together.”

At Parami, care is not limited to one office, one service, or one day on the calendar. It grows through everyday actions: listening without judgment, noticing when someone may be struggling, sharing reliable information, and helping people find the support they need.

Care begins with understanding. When students and staff make space for one another’s experiences, the Parami community becomes a place where more people can learn, participate, and move forward with support.