1. Arrange for classmates to share contact details and agree on best times for informal contact.

Remember, students in a class are not necessarily friends – they are together in classes by the quirks of subject selection and timetabling.

2. Use the agreed times to arrange multiple Zoom sessions each week where classmates can come together, without the lecturer/tutor, to discuss topics and learnings.

This replaces the time they would spend together in the student hub or library so don’t worry if no one attends in week 1 – they will warm up to it.

3.  Prepare times where small groups of two to three students can engage the lecturer/tutor.

This is the online version of dropping in at the lecturers office – again, don’t expect anyone in week 1.

4.  Where international students are in student accommodation, use the university to help accommodation providers create shared work areas where students can work together while still adhering to social distancing rules.

5.  Finally, as universities start to open up again, ensure spaces are available on campus for group learning while still meeting social distancing rules.