University student life

How to support students beyond the classroom, in all facets of university life. Here you'll find resources to help enhance student services, foster well-being, support a rich extracurricular offering and build inclusive campus communities and student societies.

Greeting first-year university students with ‘structured serendipity’

Students start university with a mix of excitement and uncertainty. Institutions should address that emotional landscape early – to help incoming cohorts adjust to newfound independence, discover what it takes to succeed academically and find their place to belong

Stephen Biscotte

Virginia Tech

Designing inclusive welcome experiences in creative education

In creative education, where students’ confidence in identity and self-expression are central, their question at induction might not be ‘Where’s my timetable?’ but ‘Do I belong?’ This consideration is key for universities welcoming diverse cohorts

Sachan Williams

University of the Arts London

A warm welcome for new students

Advice on how to roll out the welcome mat for the new intake, on campus and in the classroom

Kiera O’Brien, Campus contributors

Campus

‘Every faculty member should go on campus tours’

When one university professor went undercover to find out how different colleges welcome prospective students and their parents, he found out what institutions should, and should not, do in their visit programming

Robert Talbert

Grand Valley State University

Students gather on campus for the first time

Connect new students through the three Ts: teams, talking and Telegram

Find out how to help new students build connections with their peers and communicate with their professors, using these three tips

Kenneth Wai-Ting Leung

Hong Kong University of Science and Technology

Design thinking can transform first-year orientation

Design thinking offers a student-centred approach to orientation. By following these five steps, universities can strengthen first-year experiences and set them up for academic success

Jarell Alder

The University of the West Indies

From salary to strategy: why universities must teach financial literacy

Universities teach communication, critical reasoning and research methods, so why not also provide basic financial skills to all students, regardless of discipline?

Manjari Sharma

Christ (Deemed to be University)

An unseen woman doing sums with a calculator

How university financial support teams can bolster student mental health

Universities must treat financial support as central to student well-being. By fostering open conversations and offering proactive, tailored guidance, institutions can ease financial stress, build resilience and improve the student experience

Ian Ashley

University of Chester

Six ways to welcome students to university life

Find out how to design meaningful welcome experiences for first-year students as they arrive at university, and equip them with the tools to start their academic journey

Aikerim Daurenbayeva , Aina Nurtanova, Aruzhan Yergali

Nazarbayev University

Multiracial group of university students

The transfer student advantage: soft skills in motion

Transfer students bring more than credits to their new institution; they come with resilience, self-advocacy and real-world experience. With soft skills more essential than ever, it’s time to see these learners not as behind the curve but ahead of the game

Lauren Thomas

Virginia Tech

A podcaster interviewing a guest speaker

The power of podcasts to enhance student support

A university podcast can help cut through the noise of traditional communications. By meeting students where they are, it can be a powerful way to build community, reduce stigma and ensure support services reach those who need them

Shaunagh Moss

University of Chester

Multiracial group of three university students

How student feedback and planning shape a high-impact orientation programme

Orientation week should not be about institutional formality but about human connection, writes Anusha Nataru. An engaging, effective programme requires careful pacing, warmth and inbuilt capacity to respond to student feedback

Anusha Nataru

Aditya University

A person selling baked goods at a fundraising event

How community events can improve staff and student well-being

Regular, inclusive community events can play a vital role in improving mental health and well-being for both students and staff in higher education. Read about how simple, low-cost activities can foster connection, ease pressure and build a stronger university culture

Janine Wilkinson, Jean-Charles de Coriolis

The University of East Anglia

The evolution of student onboarding

On-demand, just-in-time digital onboarding can help students filter the vast array of information they receive when they start university, and set them up for success

Cory Elfrink

University of Canterbury | Te Whare Wānanga o Waitaha

Easing students into higher education at the shallow end

The culture shock of starting university can be acute for those who left school early or who are returning to study after years in the workforce. Here, Gareth Morgan explains a programme that sets students up for success

Gareth Morgan

University of Canterbury | Te Whare Wānanga o Waitaha

International students laugh together on campus

Tips to help international students feel at home from day one

Tim Hewes-Belton offers advice on designing bespoke welcome activities for international students to help them settle into UK university life

Tim Hewes-Belton

Loughborough University

Every student can benefit from an entrepreneurial mindset

To develop the next generation of entrepreneurs, universities need to nurture the right mindset in students of all disciplines. Follow these tips to embed entrepreneurial education

Nicolas Klotz

Al Akhawayn University

Who’s the most sustainable? Get your students competing to be climate champions

Tap into your students’ interests and make climate action fun and competitive. Elliott Brown outlines how

Elliott Brown

Loughborough University

Three ways to address students’ climate anxiety

While higher education has made progress with greener campuses and remote working, providing students with an education that can respond to the climate crisis will be more challenging. Here’s how educators can tackle climate anxiety

Rob Amos

Birkbeck, University of London

Students walking through campus laughing

Use welcome workshops to build student belonging

A guide to creating induction workshops in collaboration with students – with practical tips on building student confidence and trust

Sarah Hadlow

Build belonging, with or without a centralised campus

How can young universities foster a sense of belonging in their students, given they may be operating across several different campuses? Here are some of the ways you can create community

Asmidah Ong, Darren Tan, Duane Ong

Singapore Institute of Technology

Campus Talks: The complex factors that drive students’ sense of belonging

An expert in student belonging and engagement in the digital environment explains the nuances of belonging, mattering and inclusion as well as how to foster well-being in higher education

Karen Gravett

University of Surrey

A student with a guitar surrounded by others smiling

Make your Freshers’ Week activities sing

Songwriting sessions, treasure hunts and biscuit decorating are among the creative Freshers’ Week activities that help students build self-confidence, connect with others and ease the transition to university life

Helen Eadon-Sinkinson

University of Chester

A woman holds her head in her hands over a laptop screen

Be aware of the invisible baggage of poverty your students carry

We need to acknowledge the realities of poverty and inequality, and the trauma it leaves our students with. Here are six principles to make higher education more inclusive

Jordan Donnelly

University of the West of Scotland

Spotlight graphic for How to build belonging at your institution

How to build belonging at your institution

Advice and strategies for creating a university campus where all students and staff feel accepted, valued and respected

Eliza Compton, Campus contributors

Campus

A happy group of students pose on a flight of steps

Three strategies to build student belonging from the start of their academic journey

Many students struggle with the jump from school to university life. Here are three ways to help them hit the ground running

Siu Yau Lee

Hong Kong Baptist University

‘Resilience isn’t innate – it is a skill that can be learned’

Core aspects of university life – education, encouragement and experience – are key to cultivating belonging and resilience in students. Here, Paulin Straughan explains how a framework of programmes and activities brings them together

Paulin Straughan

Singapore Management University

An illustration of hands untangling threads in someone's head

Graduate apprenticeship students are facing a perfect mental health storm

Graduate apprenticeships are booming, but the pressure of holding a full-time job while working towards a degree can take a toll on apprentices’ mental health. Here’s what universities and employers can do

Gary Gillon, Alan MacDonald

University of the West of Scotland

A women's sports team from behind holding a trophy

Extracurricular activities are powerful tools for building belonging

Encourage students to get involved in societies, participate in sports and engage in formal extracurricular programmes to foster a sense of belonging within the student community

Natalie K. D. Seedan

The University of the West Indies

Make social groups work for under-represented students

Collaborate with students to create social groups that foster connection among those with shared lived experiences. Above all, ensure these groups have a clear purpose and focus on inclusion, rather than emphasising difference

Ian Norman

The University of East Anglia

Coco the Therapy dog in the Templeman Library on University of Kentcampus

Ask students what mental health support they need

A student-led advisory board can help universities understand what services students will use and how they prefer to engage with support

Ryan Wong

University of Kent

Principles and practicalities of partnership working with students

For effective co-creation with students, university leaders need to move beyond surveys and get them involved in decision-making. The Russell Group institutions together set out best practice steps for doing this

Deborah Gill, Simon To

University of Southampton, UCL

A teacher guides students through an activity

Build empathy with your students – and grow as an academic

Find out simple ways to develop empathy in your interactions with students, and the effect it can have on your teaching as a whole

Oshan Uluşan

Near East University

Make your university a home away from home

International students need a strong support system to settle them into their new environment. Find out how to provide one with these tips

Aray Saniyazova

Nazarbayev University

The path towards a tobacco-free campus

For the health of students and staff and the good of the planet, a tobacco-free campus is the only option for a modern university. Özen Aşut shares how the efforts of her students prompted real change in northern Cyprus

Özen Aşut

Near East University

Spotlight guide: Make mental health a university priority

Make good mental health a university priority

With poor mental health now rife across higher education, what can be done to create a supportive campus environment that strengthens well-being and resilience among university students and staff?

Laura Duckett, Campus contributors

Campus

A young woman puts her hand to her temple at her laptop

What will it take to find a real solution for the student mental health crisis?

Fixing the student mental health crisis will require systemic change, not just individual coping strategies. Here’s how to take action and foster a culture that puts well-being before academic achievement

Sadaf Majeed, Umamah Rehman , Maria Faisal

Dubai Medical University

Students holding hands around a glowing orb

Not all students want to fit in, but every student wants to matter

Making students feel they matter can dramatically improve lecture attendance. Here are ways to do it

Celine Caquineau

The University of Edinburgh

Students in a group walking together on campus

Creating a culture of belonging with inclusive pedagogy

Building cultural humility and meaningful relationships with students are two of several strategies to foster belonging in students from minoritised backgrounds

Yusra Siddiqui , Musarrat Maisha Reza

The University of Exeter

A young woman talks to a therapist earnestly

How to scale up well-being and support services

With demand for student support services skyrocketing since the pandemic, how can universities address this need? Discover five ways to scale up

Kate Wigham

Loughborough University

Bridging the gap between academia and local communities

Institutions that integrate public engagement into their core mission will contribute to stronger, more connected communities. Here are lessons from running an on-campus science bazaar

Ellie-May Beaman

Oxford Brookes University

A lecturer explains a concept to students using a whiteboard

Connect with your students inside and outside the classroom

Empathy is essential for creating a supportive learning environment. Here’s how to cultivate compassion in your teaching and address common challenges faced by students

Philip Y. Lam

Hong Kong University of Science and Technology

The power of positivity: how a simple question went viral

The viral success of a social media post offers insights on how universities can use simple, authentic and emotionally resonant content to drive engagement and strengthen community

Andrew Lam, Riley Phillips

University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Building a culture of care to support students’ mental health

Mental health support is a community-wide concern, which includes easy-to-access counselling, staff awareness and training, an empathetic environment and community hubs, writes Amy Epperley

Amy Epperley

Virginia Tech

Vibe Lounge event at Turner Sims at the University of Southampton

How civic arts programmes can make students feel welcome

Empowering students to co-create music events with peers can foster a sense of belonging in their university and city. Here’s how a student-community collective breathed new life into a 50-year-old venue

Jessica Santer, Carley Divish

University of Southampton

Providing the right resources for students who work alongside study

Student services and scholarships are among the support systems that can help students manage a job in tandem with their university education

Cheong Fan

Macau University of Science and Technology

How to know when students need mental health assistance

Academic institutions have a rare opportunity to intervene to help students with mental health challenges, but this requires support and training for staff and faculty, writes Amy Epperley

Amy Epperley

Virginia Tech

A group of students sat in a circle having a discussion

How to start a support group for students with disabilities

In regions where universities place less emphasis on equity, diversity and inclusion, supporting students with disabilities requires a proactive approach

Asri Saraswati

The University of Indonesia

A adult works at a laptop, while a small child plays with dinosaur toys on the keyboard

The small steps that can make a big difference to student parents

Juggling academic and parental commitments is no easy feat. Here’s how universities can make small, programme-level adjustments to relieve the pressure on student parents

Rebecca Gordon

University of the West of Scotland

How universities can use research to develop effective digital products

Tips on developing a user-led digital approach at your institution, based on the University of Exeter’s success

Helen Cocks, Amelia Johnson

The University of Exeter

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