Since 2020, Natasha Winnard (UCL Geography BA 1994) has been a committed alumni volunteer, helping to support, guide and empower UCL’s student and alumni communities.
Natasha draws upon over 25 years of experience as an educator, guidance and future pathways counsellor, mentor, and volunteer in international schools and communities around the world. Here she shares her advice for how parents and families can best support their students at university.
How families can positively shape the UCL student experience
As both an educator and a parent, I’ve come to understand something vital: when families engage meaningfully with their child’s university experience, students tend to thrive. This isn’t about taking control or solving problems for them. It’s about recognising the ongoing influence we have, even as our children move into adulthood, and using that influence to help them make the most of what’s ahead.
When my own son recently began his university journey, I found myself drawing not only on my background in education but also on my life as a globally mobile professional. Having worked across different countries and cultures, I know the value of intercultural understanding. Universities like UCL are truly global spaces and the ability to connect respectfully and meaningfully across cultures is one of the most important skills students can develop.
Because I understand the challenges and rewards of working across cultures, I’ve been able to guide my son as he learns to be part of a diverse university community, something UCL fosters so well. I’ve encouraged him to engage with people from different backgrounds, to be curious, and to listen more than he speaks. And I’ve reminded him that building intercultural competence isn’t just enriching, it’s essential preparation for life beyond university.
In my professional research and personal experience, I’ve seen time and again that students who have engaged, supportive families enjoy better outcomes, academically, socially, and emotionally. One reason is that we, as parents and support networks, continue to be some of the most trusted and influential voices in their lives. When we express interest in their studies, reinforce key messages from the university, or encourage them to access the resources available, they’re more likely to act. At a place like UCL, where the opportunities are vast, that guidance can be transformative.
For me, staying engaged has meant reading university communications, attending parent webinars, and having open, two-way conversations with my son. Because I understand what universities like UCL are offering, I can help him make the most of it, encouraging him to attend events, explore support services, or simply reach out when something doesn’t feel right.
Most importantly, family engagement helps students feel grounded. University is a major transition, and students who know their families are present, informed, and supportive are more resilient and confident.
Families don’t need to hover, but we shouldn’t disappear either. When we engage with intention and empathy, we help our children connect more deeply, grow more fully, and embrace the transformational potential of their university years.
