At a time when COVID-19 threatens to break down valuable student support networks, we can clearly see that it is a stressful and uncertain time for all applicants and offer holders.

The pathway to university has shifted significantly with the usual pre-enrolment activities of open days, induction, orientation and welcome events being replaced by digital alternatives.

With growing concern in the sector over this cohort’s mental health and wellbeing (given such limited opportunity for social interaction), is the digital approach sufficient to ensure that applicants are successfully integrated into their new learning environment?

While like-for-like interpersonnel human elements are impossible to recreate completely, what we can do is give applicants and offer holders new ways to connect with peers and build networks and friendships.

1. Make the network pool of possible connections much deeper

Historically within the peer to peer space, it was sufficient to provide a prospect with one to one, one-off access to an ambassador/current student to talk to regarding the university, the course, the city etc.

Instead, incoming students now want to network with a whole range of other students, alumni, and staff for a host of different reasons.

We see a trend where prospects are joining not only for Q and A,  but also to build valuable networks of connections that they can turn to for support on a variety of issues as they arise over this period. 

The challenge from our side and for each university team we work with is to find scalable and repeatable processes in building a network pool that is deep enough to support this type and level of activity.

The early signs are very encouraging with those current students and alumni who have joined providing tremendous support and giving so much of their time and efforts adding so much value to other applicants and students within the CampusConnect community. 

2. Facilitate much greater connectivity within the network

Making it much easier for students to actually find and connect with those they need to talk to, and providing a facility that prompts different connections has been a key focus over the past number of months.

Grouping students by course, by country, and by student type has always been the most effective way to bring same type prospects together to allow for networking and peer to peer support. The occasional ‘Shout out’ often highlights that there are myriad different connections possible within the community. 

Conscious that there will be fewer networking opportunities, interconnectedness is a key theme across the sector and a priority for all of us working in this space.

3. Ramp up response time!

We’re seeing more university staff members actively using the CampusConnect service, this means that response time is down and applicants are getting more immediate value and reassurance.

Having a readily available community of engaged users, in contrast with having to wait for an individual to answer your question, vastly speeds up response time, in effect you’re crowdsourcing the response.

Push notifications really come into their own when speed of response is such a critical factor in supporting applicants, as it clearly is during this period.

We know that supporting offer holders through this period will require contributions from all parts of the university community and can’t simply be solved by any individual or team, however, we feel that these steps can contribute toward alleviating some of the issues applicants may experience due to the absence of the usual pre-enrolment events and activities in the lead in up to September.