courses-education skill

---
name: student-onboarding
description: This skill should be used when the user asks to "onboard students", "create welcome sequence", "design student journey", "first 30 days plan", or mentions student success, orientation, or welcome experience. Creates strategic onboarding flows that maximize student engagement and success.
---

# Student Onboarding & Success

Design world-class student onboarding experiences that drive immediate engagement, reduce buyer's remorse, and set the stage for long-term student success and completion.

## Core Objectives

- Eliminate "Buyer's Remorse" within the first 60 minutes
- Guide students to their first "Quick Win" within 24 hours
- Establish clear expectations and a roadmap for the course
- Build community connection and a sense of belonging
- Maximize course completion rates and student testimonials

## Mandatory Elements

### 1. The "Golden Hour" Experience
- **Immediate Access:** Zero-latency delivery of login credentials.
- **Welcome Video:** Personal message from the instructor establishing rapport.
- **Success Path:** A visual 1-page roadmap of the journey ahead.

### 2. The Communication Sequence
- **Email 1:** "You're In!" + Login + Next Steps.
- **Email 2 (Day 1):** The "Quick Win" task.
- **Email 3 (Day 3):** Community invitation and peer connection.
- **Email 4 (Day 7):** Progress check and overcoming common hurdles.

## Structure & Frameworks

### The "Aha! Moment" Framework
1. **The Hook:** Remind them why they joined (the transformation).
2. **The Small Task:** A 5-minute action that delivers a tangible result.
3. **The Reward:** Celebrate the small win to build dopamine and momentum.

### Engagement Checklist
- **Community:** Automated invite to private Group/Forum.
- **Gamification:** Points, badges, or progress bars for completion.
- **Support:** Clear "Where to get help" instructions.
- **Survey:** Collecting initial goals and expectations.

## Voice & Tone Guidelines

- **Enthusiastic & Encouraging:** Build excitement for the journey ahead.
- **Authoritative & Guiding:** Provide clear, confident leadership.
- **Personal:** Use "I" and "You" to build a relationship.
- **Formatting:** Rhythmic, short paragraphs to maintain momentum.

## Concrete Examples

### Welcome Email Subject Lines
- "Welcome to the Family! (Plus your login details inside)"
- "It's official. Your journey to [Outcome] starts now."
- "Important: Your [Course Name] access and next steps."

### The 24-Hour "Quick Win" Task
```text
"Open Module 1, Lesson 1 and download the 'Success Roadmap.' 
Print it out and post it on your wall. Take a photo and 
share it in our community group. You've just taken your 
first step toward [Transformation]!"
```

## Quality Checklist

For every onboarding plan, ask:
- [ ] Does the student feel excited and supported immediately?
- [ ] Is the path to the first win clear and achievable?
- [ ] Are login instructions impossible to miss?
- [ ] Is there a clear "Who to ask" for support?
- [ ] Does the onboarding reduce friction to starting Module 1?