Your incoming students have already used Community to stay connected during the offer process and to help them decide that your institution is the right fit. But how can your Community continue to support and guide them as they transition from offer acceptance to fully enrolled students, navigating campus on day one?
A little planning will ensure your incoming students feel supported at every stage of their journey. Here’s a sample timeline you can adapt to your own academic and arrival calendar:
8–10 weeks before arrival → set the tone
Share an icebreaker Poll, something along the lines of “Where are you joining us from?” or “What are you most excited about?”
Share an Update outlining what students can expect from Community as they transition from offer holder to enrolment.
The aim is to make sure that your Community feels alive and approachable from day one. For incoming students, sharing experiences with others who are in the same boat, and also having a dedicated place to go with questions, makes them all the less likely to lose momentum and drop out of the process.
6–8 weeks before arrival → build engagement
Add academic or housing-based To-Do’s - for example: “Submit your housing preferences,” or “Complete your online preparation modules”
Share student spotlights or stories in Updates and relevant Spaces - link to interviews with Student Ambassadors, have Ambassadors create bitesize content (i.e. 5 things I wish I had known to pack), or feature Student and/or Staff Ambassador takeovers within the Community.
Ask for input for new Spaces in a Poll - (favourite music genre, hobbies, or sports) to spark peer-to-peer connections.
Asking your Community members for input into Spaces and the kinds of content, AMA threads, etc that are shared helps them to find common ground and start forming friendships.
4–6 weeks before arrival → prepare practically
Share an Update on key dates and deadlines (orientation, move-in, tuition payments).
Add a packing or arrival checklist to To-Do’s.
Post an AMA thread in relevant Spaces, where Student Ambassadors can answer common questions.
Giving practical tips and takeaways reduces pre-arrival stress with actionable guidance.
2–3 weeks before arrival → create excitement
Share a welcome message in academic Spaces from staff, or post links to exciting research undertaken by the department.
Post a Poll about which Welcome Week activities students are most excited for.
Share an Update highlighting campus traditions or upcoming events.
Small measures can build anticipation and a sense of belonging - making students feel part of the lore and tradition of your university, and reminding them about the exciting things coming up.
Arrival week → stay connected
Use Updates to share orientation schedules, campus maps, and last-minute reminders.
Add To-Do’s for first-week essentials, e.g: “Pick up your student ID”.
Encourage students to introduce themselves in Accommodation/Halls of Residence or Welcome Week Spaces.
Arrival week can be a stressful time, as students navigate meeting new people, familiarising themselves with a new town/city or country, and getting used to uni life. Help them feel supported as they settle in, and provide a centralised hub via Updates and To-Do's where they have everything they need to stay on track.
After arrival → keep the momentum going
Share ongoing Polls and Updates to encourage reflection, such as “What’s been the highlight of your first week?”
Post To-Do’s for joining societies, accessing student support services, or upcoming welcome events. Your Student's Union and student societies may even want to be involved in the Community, with their own Spaces and input!
Maintaining engagement can go some way towards ensuring students continue using Community as part of their daily campus life. This is some give and take to this, however; you will need to manage the Community, keep up a steady cadence of Updates and To-Do's, and continue to provide value - in order for students to continue to make use of it.
By pacing your welcome messages, Polls, Updates, and To-Do’s across the pre-arrival timeline, you’ll keep students consistently engaged, informed, and excited about joining your institution.