16 < BACK TO CONTENTS UNITE STUDENTS | THE IMPACT OF SOCIOECONOMIC BACKGROUND ON THE STUDENT EXPERIENCE These recommendations are for everyone who works with, or designs services for, applicants and students. For the benefit of higher education providers, they have been cross-referenced with the Office for Students’ Equality of Opportunity Risk Register (EORR)11 to enable them to be linked to Access and Participation Plans. The recommendations are deliberately worded in a non- prescriptive way to encourage innovation and co-creation with disadvantaged students themselves when applying them locally. It is likely that you are already doing many of these things, but the message from students is clear: do a little more, and communicate it more proactively. 11 https://www.officeforstudents.org.uk/for-providers/equality- of-opportunity/equality-of-opportunity-risk-register/ RECOMMENDATIONS FOSTER A SENSE OF BELONGING FOR NEW STUDENTS EORR Risk 8: Mental health 1. Create opportunities for new students to meet others from similar socioeconomic backgrounds 2. Ensure that open days and offer-holder days include friendly and knowledgeable students from a wide range of backgrounds 3. Provide appropriate guidance for resident students on diversity, inclusion and being a good flatmate 4. Academic modules should start with a ‘getting to know you’ ice-breaker session so that students can build social connections 5. Consider how to leverage the diverse backgrounds of staff from across different teams when welcoming and supporting students 6. Communicate your inclusive services and practices to potential students 7. Normalise the ups and downs of settling in, but also signpost support for those who are struggling