When a student meets with you, we want her to feel that she has your full attention—100% presence, no distractions. (And ideally, she’ll show up the same way for you! )

To create an atmosphere where students feel safe, heard, and valued, a baseline of professionalism is essential. 

Here are a few important guidelines to help ensure your meetings are a consistently positive experience:

Meet from a quiet room. Your space should be free from background noise, interruptions, and distractions. This helps the student feel that her time is valued and that you’re fully focused on her.

Use a professional background. A Souled Zoom background keeps the visual focus on you and supports a polished, welcoming atmosphere.

No children, pets, or other adults should be present or interrupting during your sessions. If something comes up (e.g., a child is sick), please reschedule for a better time when you can be fully present.

Make sure your internet connection is reliable. Glitchy or laggy meetings impact connection and flow.

Use a computer, not a mobile device. A laptop or desktop offers better video quality, a stable setup, and shows professionalism.

Frequency & Length of Meetings

You should meet with each of your students weekly or every other week. More than two weeks should not go by without a session, unless there are unusual circumstances. You and the student can decide together what works best.

In general, meetings should last 30–45 minutes. 

Tip: Block off the entire hour slot to meet with your student. That way if it goes over by a few minutes, you still have a buffer to write in your student meeting notes promptly.