Uni-Life Blog

Read all about our latest news, insights, best practices and other tips & tricks!

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Behind the Scenes of College Admissions: What Really Matters

February 22, 2023

Colleges and universities receive countless applications every year, making the admissions process an incredibly difficult task. What are the key indicators of future success? Are good grades in high school a guarantee that students will also perform well in college? How important are extracurricular activities?

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Why Alumni Are More Than Just a Number: Unpacking the Enduring Impact of University Alumni on Campus and Beyond

February 21, 2023

Alumni are a vital part of any university community. Although they may no longer be roaming around the campus as they used to when they were students, they are still valued stakeholders of the institution. They provide a sense of continuity and tradition that connects current students with those who came before them. But universities also care about their alumni for more tangible reasons. Here are just a few of the ways that alumni impact their alma maters:

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The Power of Data: How Tracking Can Improve Student Retention

February 6, 2023

Student retention has been a struggle for many universities, especially with the pandemic concerns over the last few years. To tackle the issue, more and more universities have started implementing new tools to track, monitor and analyze the data to reduce dropouts.

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Promoting Inclusivity and Diversity in the University Community

February 14, 2023

Diversity and inclusivity are important values for any university community, and chances are you’ll find those words within seconds when scrolling on a university’s homepage. But why are these qualities so important?

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How much does studying cost in each country?

February 20, 2023

When selecting a university and study, financial considerations are still one of the biggest factors that students take into account. Although the exact cost will depend on many factors, such as type of institution, location, lifestyle choices, and personal spending habits, we have tried to give an approximate estimate for the average total cost (including tuition, cost of living, accommodation, etc.) of a three-year bachelor's degree program for an international (EU) student in the following countries:

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The Time of Your Life: Embracing the Student Adventure

February 15, 2023

Sometimes, when we’re so preoccupied with life, we forget to stop and appreciate it every once in a while. It’s often only when we look back, that we realize a moment was truly special. Student life might be one of the best examples of this. While studying, it can be so easy to stress over the everyday hassle of meeting deadlines, revising, taking care of ourselves or even being social enough, that we forget to live in the moment.

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From Ivory Towers to Innovation Hubs: How Universities have Transformed Most

February 13, 2023

Universities have been around for centuries, and in that time period, they have undergone significant changes. A century ago, universities were still largely seen as posh, exclusive institutions only accessible for the very bright and wealthy. Today, they have rebranded themselves as much more cutting edge innovation-hubs preparing the workforce of tomorrow. At the start of the 20th century, universities were primarily focused on providing students with a liberal arts education, emphasizing subjects such as history, literature, and philosophy.

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Dutch vs. Belgian Universities: A Side-by-Side Comparison

February 7, 2023

Both Belgium and The Netherlands are popular destinations for students pursuing a degree in higher education. With approximately 632.000 students enrolled in both countries for the 2022/2023 academic year, there are more than enough studies to choose between. However, despite their close proximity, there are some significant differences between universities in the two countries.

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Maximizing Your College Experience: Tips and Tricks for Making the Most of Your Student Years

February 8, 2023

Studying at university is becoming accessible for more and more students around the world. There have never been more students enrolled at a higher education institution, who are a first generation of students within their families. Starting university can be an exciting but overwhelming experience, with a whole new world of opportunities and challenges to navigate. To make the most of your student years, especially for those first-generation students, having a plan in place can really make the difference. Here are some of Uni-Life’s favorite tips to help you get off to the best possible start:

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The Biggest Threats that Universities are Facing

February 3, 2023

Universities have been around for centuries, with some even suggesting that the first university was established in 859 A.D. Throughout its rich and ever growing history, universities have faced many challenges, but what are some of the biggest threats they are currently facing?

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What are the Most Important Considerations when choosing a University?

February 1, 2023

Choosing which university to study at is one of the first big decisions most people make in their life, and the implications of that decision can be massive. Not only will it have an influence on your career, but it will also likely affect who ends up becoming your life partner, who your best friends will be and what experiences may change the course of your life (for better or worse).

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The Main Differences Between Universities and Universities of Applied Science

February 2, 2023

When finding the right university to study at, some institutions are simply called ‘universities’, whereas others are referred to as ‘universities of applied sciences’ (also known as polytechnics or technical universities). Although they may seem the same, these are two types of higher education institutions that offer different types of programs and focus on different goals.

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The Best Strategies to Get More Members for your Student Association or Organization

January 31, 2023

Lots of universities are home to many student organizations. Whether it’s a sports club, fraternity, political organization, social group or community, there’s usually something for everyone. But how do you make your organization stand out among all others?

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Five Best Practices for Universities to Manage Student Wellbeing

January 30, 2023

As mentioned in earlier blogs, ensuring the wellbeing of students is (and rightfully should be) a top priority for many universities in Europe.

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Dutch vs. German Universities: A Side-by-Side Comparison

January 26, 2023

When it comes to choosing a university, one of the first questions you might be asking yourself is which country you prefer to study in. In this blog, we’ll give a quick rundown of the differences between two popular and bordering destinations; The Netherlands and Germany.

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What are the Benefits of Joining a Student Association?

January 25, 2023

There’s much more to student life than just studying, and student associations are one of the best ways to get involved socially.

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The Benefits of a Lively & Vibrant University Campus

January 23, 2023

During the worldwide pandemic, the importance of having a central campus became even more eminent. While classes and exams were able to transition to online environments (some universities were better at this than others), student engagement and interaction was not.

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Why do so many University Students Suffer from Mental Health Issues?

January 24, 2023

Mental health has been an issue that has come up everywhere in the last few years, but why has it become such a matter of grave concern? And why has mental health been particularly alarming among students?

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The Greatest Benefits of High Student Retention Rates

January 4, 2023

Unlock the key to university success: High student retention rates. Discover how it leads to financial stability, a higher number of graduates, a strong reputation, and best-ranking positions.

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Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion at Universities

November 8, 2021

University campuses have become more diverse over the last decades. However, increasing the number of students that belong to minority groups is not enough. University leaders must break down barriers to ensure everyone feels included. After all, social belonging and inclusion lead students to perform to their highest capacity. Today, we share some tips to make your campus more inclusive.

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Student Life Over The Winter Break: How to make the most of it

December 21, 2021

After the stress of finals is over, many students are excited to enjoy the winter break. However, with the latest coronavirus restrictions, it can be tough to keep yourself entertained or active. Today, we share a small list of things students can do during their holidays, which might help you make the most out of this period.

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Webcast Blog 4: Best ways to have a year-long plan

In this episode, we will share some the best ways to create a year-long plan that supports the student journey. Why are holidays such a vulnerable time of year for so many students?

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Webcast Blog 2: Best ways to use students' voices to support the student journey.

In this episode, we share some of the best ways to use the voice of students to create the best possible student experience. How can you really make sure to incorporate the needs of students into your communication program?

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Top 10 Universities Based on Student Happiness & Engagement

October 11, 2021

Most University rankings are based on academic reputation, teaching, or research. Seldom are they focused on student well-being and experience. Therefore, we have compiled a list of the top 10 universities based on student happiness and engagement to make sure students can enjoy the best of both worlds:

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Webcast Blog 1: Analyzing student trends and needs is often ineffective

In this episode, we will be explaining why student it is difficult and slow to detect student trends and needs. How can you make sure that you always know what's going through the minds of students?

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Top 5 tools Universities Use To Provide Their Services

December 6, 2021

For a few decades now, universities have relied on online tools and platforms that help them improve their services. The coronavirus pandemic only made the need for these tools more apparent, as institutions were forced to adapt to a 100% online system. As we slowly move towards a blended or hybrid education system, academic and management staff need to explore new tools to keep their students engaged. Today, we share a summary of the different platforms or tools universities use.

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Student Engagement in Europe

August 25, 2021

In this post, we explore the strong positive correlation between high student engagement and improved academic performance and dive deep into the realities of student life in Europe during Covid-19.

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How Uni-Life Contributes to a Healthier Student Life

In early 2021, we asked students at our partner universities what positive impact Uni-Life has made on their student life. The results are in: Uni-Life helps students be more socially active and engaged.

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Uni-Life Selected to the GSV Cup Elite 200!

January 18, 2022

Uni-Life has been selected to The Elite 200, the acclaimed list of semifinalists in The GSV Cup — the world’s largest pitch competition for EdTech startups run by female-led, multi-stage venture capital firm GSV Ventures. Companies selected to The Elite 200 represent the top pre-seed and seed stage startups in digital learning across the “Pre-K to Gray” space. Uni-Life will now compete for up to $1M in cash and prizes in San Diego this April at the ASU+GSV Summit, the annual education technology event hosted by Arizona State University and GSV Ventures.

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Uni-Life and Student Pulse Join Forces to Achieve the Best Student Experience

November 9, 2021

Uni-Life is proud to announce the official partnership with StudentPulse! Together, we will help universities find their way towards an improved and enriched student experience.

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Webcast Blog 3: Best ways to reach students effectively to support the student journey.

In this episode, we will share some the best ways to effectively reach your students. Why are some communication platforms so successful, and why do others not seem to work at all (anymore)?

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Webcast Blog 6: Onboarding Students Matters

In this episode, we will share some of the best ways to ensure you have a successful onboarding strategy. How can you ensure that students get welcomed properly, get confirmation that they chose the right university/study and instantly form a connection with the institution?

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What Data is Telling Us About Student Life During Covid-19

February 25, 2021

In times of Covid-19, being a student is not always the easiest thing to be. But as our users have shown us in these past months, student life never truly stops - it just adapts.

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Hybrid Campus - What does it look like?

September 1, 2021

The beginning of a new academic year is approaching and, after being hit by the unfamiliar circumstances of a pandemic, many institutions now wonder: What will the future of higher education look like?

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A Quick Guide To Student Engagement

September 14, 2021

Successfully engaging students can be a challenge for teachers and universities. How do you promote participation both inside and outside the classroom? How do you maintain a sense of community with online learning becoming more and more prevalent? Today we share some ideas on how to boost student engagement, and help students get the most out of their university experience.

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Top 10 Events Hosted by Universities in the Netherlands

September 28, 2021

We have curated a list of our Top Ten Events hosted by universities in The Netherlands. Some of these events are aimed towards students, while others aim towards higher education professionals. However, all of them have one thing in common: the goal of improving the student experience. Take a look and get inspired!

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University Life: North America vs. Europe

November 22, 2021

Understanding the primary differences between North American and European universities not only helps prospective international students decide where to follow an education, but also allows institutions to identify what areas they can improve. Today, we talk about the main differences in university life in North America vs. Europe.

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🚀 Learn about the new Uni-Life app features!

We are proud to announce that the Uni-Life app has released new features this month, check out our Association Profiles and the News Tab!

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University life in the 90's

October 25, 2021

So many things have changed over the past few decades. Today we are looking back at a time when most students didn’t have mobile phones, computers, or the Internet at home. How different was the student experience when instant communication wasn't a thing? Today, we will talk about university life in the 90s.

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Webcast Blog 5: Ensuring successful student engagement

In this episode, we will share some of the best ways to create a year-long plan that supports the student journey. Why do so many universities struggle to create a strong student engagement plan/phase?