Student life

How to support students beyond the classroom. Here you'll find resources to direct student services, foster well-being and build inclusive campus communities 

Two women walk away from the camera, their arms around each other's shoulders

Ease the transition for international students with a holistic peer-mentoring programme

Enlist peer mentors to help make international students’ transition on to your campus a smooth one. Naia Robinson shows how

Naia Robinson

Australian National University

Five students wave national flags

Let’s make the international student experience as valuable as the degree

Given the unique challenges international students face, how can universities create an inclusive and supportive community? Educators share suggestions for helping international students thrive

Multiple authors

The University of Adelaide

Paper plane

Resilience and empowerment: reframing the narrative for first-gen students

First-generation students bring resilience and determination to their college journey. Based on her own experience, Lisa M. Lee explains how universities can support students from a place of strength rather than deficit

Lisa M. Lee

Virginia Tech

A buffet table, groaning with food, stretches nearly as far as the eye can see

A smorgasbord of strategies to help international students feel included

Educators are like seasoned chefs with the responsibility to create harmonious classroom environments that celebrate the flavourful cultural diversity of international students, says John Sinclair

John Sinclair

Colorado State University Global

A young woman boards a plane in glorious sunshine

What will it take to ensure that international students are treated fairly?

Treatment of international students needs to shift to a social justice approach, and the interim report from Australia’s Universities Accord Panel doesn’t go far enough. Here’s how we can do more

Carly Steele, Sender Dovchin, Ana Tankosić

Curtin University

Young Asian student on campus

Helping international students in their transition to US institutions

International students enrich and add value to American campuses. Here, Ashlee Toomey-Flinn offers practical tips for helping them transition successfully into their US university experience

Ashlee Toomey-Flinn

Georgia Tech’s Center for 21st Century Universities

Student in new city

How to help international students prepare for university life ahead of and after their arrival

Ayten Ordu provides five top tips that will help ensure international students have a smooth transition to their new surroundings

Ayten Ordu

Near East University

Group of happy multiracial students

How to support international students’ smooth transition to a new country

Orientation is an ongoing process for international students, so welcome programmes need to extend further than a single day. Here, Mengping Cheng explains how to support new arrivals throughout their adjustment

Mengping Cheng

Te Whare Wānanga o Waitaha | University of Canterbury

Walkway

How to use campus design to nurture a culture of belonging

Brian W. Casey and Graham Wyatt discuss the importance of campus design and beauty in support of the student, faculty and staff experience

Brian W. Casey, Graham Wyatt

Colgate University

Therapy dog

How to combat the mental health crisis on campus

From staff training to nap pods and on-campus emotional support animals, universities have well-established and novel ways to help students to better mental health and well-being

Jonathan Koppell

Montclair State University

A parenting student studies with her daughter in the background

Twenty per cent of US undergraduates have children – we must do more to support them

Dedicating funds and resources to parenting students, most of whom are mothers and single, is also an investment in the prosperity of future generations, writes Sara Goldrick-Rab

Sara Goldrick-Rab

Education Northwest

Well-being and student support webinar

Campus webinar: Student support and wellness strategies for a new term

Academics from Campus+ partner institutions discuss effective ways to support students’ mental health, well-being and more

Helen Rowland, György Purebl, Kevin Friese

University of Southampton, Semmelweis University , University of Alberta

A hand resting on a shoulder in a display of support and care

Trauma-informed care within academic settings

As awareness of trauma and its effects on individuals grows, Imogen Perkins delves into what it means to be trauma-informed, and how its five principles could look within an academic setting.

Imogen Varle

De Montfort University

Woman travelling solo train

New students leaving care need extra support to beat the odds (again)

Corin Barton says universities must recognise the various impacts a lack of family support can have on care-experienced students and offers simple steps to promote success

Corin Barton

The University of Law

Aerial view of students sitting on steps

Perfect doesn’t exist and other lessons from developing a whole-university well-being strategy

Challenges to staff and student well-being are part of university life, regardless of how much support is in place. But iterative strategies can improve the entire community’s experience, write Ben Goose and Cassie Wilson

Ben Goose, Cassie Wilson

University of Bath

Group of students in discussion

Supported social groups and student belonging: how do I get started?

Connecting students who share a lived experience such as bereavement, family estrangement or loneliness can help to foster a sense of community and belonging at university, explains Hannah Moore

Hannah Moore

University of Bath

Two men competing in basketball

How to encourage students to engage in the broader university offering

Getting involved in campus life beyond the classroom brings multiple benefits for students, so how can universities encourage greater participation in the range of activities on offer?

Irina Shcheglova

Xi’an Jiaotong-Liverpool University

An eviction notice on a student's rented accomodation

Food insecurity and homelessness affect all our campuses. Here’s what we should do about it

Nearly a quarter of undergraduate students will experience food and housing insecurity in the US. Sara Goldrick-Rab suggests ways faculty and institutions can intervene before it’s too late

Sara Goldrick-Rab

Education Northwest

Group of multiracial students

A whole-campus approach to boost belonging for student success

Joint efforts among faculty, staff and students themselves can support first-year and transfer scholars to feel included and engaged, write Lorett Swank and Catherine Thomas

Lorett Swank, Catherine Thomas

Georgia Tech’s Center for 21st Century Universities

A male student moving into his college bedroom

How to create a home from home for students at university

Supportive steps that a university can take to help students adjust to life away from home

Adeola Matthew , Kerrie-Faun Nathan

The University of the West Indies

Teen with fingers on lips indicating a quiet space for autistic students

Five steps to support autistic students on their higher education journey

As we strive to create inclusive environments, it’s essential to implement strategies that assist and cater to the unique challenges faced by autistic students, says Jane Dashwood

Jane Dashwood

The University of Warwick

Students drinking coffee

From cohort to community: how to support student-led initiatives

Building a strong cohort starts with supporting students directly. Here, we, as student and staff co-authors in the humanities, share insights on how to encourage solutions designed for students by students

Ranita Thompson, Joanne Walmsley, Ben Graham

The University of Queensland

Statue of blindfolded Justice against the gay LGBT rights rainbow flag

How can universities support global LGBTQI+ human rights?

From more research to clearly signposted support for international students, UK campuses can do more to advance inclusivity worldwide. Drew Dalton offers four strategies

Drew Dalton

University of Sunderland

American football team starting a new play

Making male athletes key players in preventing sexual assault on campus

Young sportsmen have the influence to shift campus attitudes away from rape culture and misinformation towards accountability and support for survivors. A US-wide programme aims to empower them to do so

Tracey Vitchers

It’s On Us

Group activities can help HDR student belonging

We must help HDR students experience a sense of community and belonging

A University of Adelaide team on what can be done to enhance community for higher degree by research students and how to ensure they see this culture from the outside

Multiple authors

The University of Adelaide

Bag of groceries

A ‘grocery store’ model can help your campus food bank reduce waste

A move from pre-packed hampers can make university food banks more efficient and the space more welcoming – and build a stronger community. Erin O’Neil offers tips for switching to a grocery-store model

Erin O’Neil

University of Alberta

Student ROI is becoming a major factor in study abroad decisions

Is your university worth the investment for international students?

International student concerns have changed in recent years, and traditional study-abroad destinations need to keep up

Cagri Bagcioglu

Cintana Education

Paying cash for academic help

How can we encourage students to seek academic assistance ethically?

Following years researching paid academic support methods, Joel Heng Hartse suggests solutions that can help beat “academic help” companies at their own game

Joel Heng Hartse

Simon Fraser University

Architecture and new university buildings at Oxford University

Lessons learned from building a new university premises

Rick Trainor reflects on the trials and tribulations of constructing a new, multipurpose building from scratch at the University of Oxford

Rick Trainor

University of Oxford

Back view of students walking in autumnal park

Student support takes a village – but you need to create one first

To support students from diverse backgrounds, universities should actively foster supportive communities. For the University of Auckland, this meant creating a ‘village’ on campus, as Melissa Leaupepe explains

Melissa Leaupepe

The University of Auckland

How to help students and staff with online harms

Rather than waiting to be told, here’s how to do something about online harms

Emma Bond and Andy Phippen outline what institutions can do to better support their students (and staff) when tackling online harms

Emma Bond, Andy Phippen

University of Suffolk, Bournemouth University

Outreach campaigns can help signpost students to university wellbeing services

How to run an effective student well-being campaign

From reaching out to the local community to making it interactive, Christina Chant offers seven tips for effectively promoting your university’s well-being services

Christina Chant

Edinburgh Napier University

The tastes of home can help international university students settle

Five tips for helping international students settle in their new surroundings

Ganna Pola and Önay Aktunç offer advice based on their experience as advisers to international students in North Cyprus

Ganna Pola , Önay Aktunç

Near East University

Woman casting a vote in a US election

Voting counts: how to get more students to the ballot box

Young people are less likely to vote than any other age group, so what can institutions do to engage students with the most fundamental of democratic processes? Rebecca Deegan shares some lessons

Rebecca Deegan

I Have A Voice

Students recording a video

Amplify the authentic student voice in university marketing

Any university can claim to be the best, but in the end, people will believe the students who study there. Here are tips on collaborating with students to create marketing content that amplifies their authentic voice

Ari Badlishah

The University of Edinburgh

International students require help when travelling to new countries

How to champion the international student experience from admission to graduation

An international student’s experience at your institution can be very positive with mindful handling every step of the way, says Preeti Aghalayam

Preeti Aghalayam

The Indian Institute of Technology Madras

Student support

A holistic approach to student support

Student support, particularly for care-leavers or estranged students, is vital throughout their university journey – from pre-application to beyond graduation. Here, Fran Hornsby and Rebecca Clark offer tips for demonstrating genuine care as you do it

Fran Hornsby, Rebecca Clark

University of York

Image depicting the financial burden of higher education

Pay it forward: how to help students secure financial aid

How college administrators can help prospective and enrolled students secure financial aid to see them through higher education, by Aimee Huffstetler

Aimee Huffstetler

Gwynedd Mercy University

Supporting university students in recovery

Universities must acknowledge the value of students in recovery

University throws up many temptations, but if we offer the right support for addiction we are often rewarded with strong, tenacious students and staff

Simon Lee

University of Sunderland

Hands with 'hello' in many languages in speech bubbles

Welcome events make the transition to hybrid

A hybrid orientation programme can be immersive, flexible, interactive, engaging and fun. These tips offer a path to developing a blended online and on-campus programme that makes students feel they belong

Annabella Stover, Alicia Menendez Tarrazo, Rob Lowney

Dublin City University

Basket of pumpkins with sign "buy local"

Food for thought: advice for building a university-community collaboration

Planning and communication can turn good intentions into lasting benefits for students, faculty and the community. Joshua Gruver shares his advice for successful outreach, based on his experience developing a local farmers’ market

]oshua Gruver

Ball State University

Women posting anti-harassment posters

Collective voices, zero tolerance

Universities can use their ability to engage with students to effect cultural change, as the Bystander Intervention initiative to combat sexual abuse has shown. Louise Crowley explains how they did it

Louise Crowley

University College Cork

Cancelled as a lecturer in university

What I learned from nearly getting cancelled

Being the subject of student complaints was a very difficult experience for all involved – one that I am trying to learn from

Anonymous

Campus

A female student writing in her diary

Student diaries as a tool to improve the university experience

Do you really know what your students experience during their studies? It is more complex than many surveys suggest. Using student diaries may support deeper understanding to improve student experiences, as Dan Herbert explains

Dan Herbert

University of Birmingham

Digital access is crucial and help is required for students to combat digital exclusion

We must remove technology worries from the student cost-of-living crisis

Students and parents cannot be left to make up the shortfall when it comes to financing their studies and tech needs – they need help from universities and government

Sarah Purdy, Steve Hall

The University of Bristol

Woman holding up her hands against someone or something

What does ‘taking sexual violence seriously’ look like at universities?

Rates of sexual violence in universities are the highest in society, ONS data show. So what actions must universities take if they are serious about tackling this pernicious problem?

Graham Towl

Durham University

Dinosaurs taking over the city

Safeguarding conferences are becoming the land that change forgot

The lack of a firm steer from the universities regulator means a sector left in limbo when it comes to tackling sexual misconduct – and events covering the same issues year after year

Emma Bond, Andy Phippen

University of Suffolk, Bournemouth University

How universities can ensure first-generation students and their families feel connected

How universities can ensure first-generation students and their families feel connected

A first-generation college student herself now working in enrolment, Aimee Huffstetler, shares insight into what administrators can do to ensure first-generation students and their families feel connected to their university

Aimee Huffstetler

Gwynedd Mercy University

Image depicting institutional branches scattered around the globe

What determines the success of an international branch campus?

What do successful international branch campuses have in common? Nigel Healey outlines the key characteristics that institutions wishing to extend their presence overseas should take heed of

Nigel Healey

University of Limerick

Image representing creative inspiration

Creative projects as a way of bringing students together

An institution-wide creative project is an opportunity for students to make friends and learn from one another, writes Karen Amanda Harris. Here, she shares tips for developing an extracurricular language-art project

Karen Amanda Harris

University of the Arts London