This keynote will draw upon the seven principles within the Social Media for Learning Framework (Middleton and Beckingham 2015) as a lens to highlight the different aspects that have informed some of my approaches to learning and/or teaching. I will share my experiences as an educational developer, lecturer, academic adviser and as a returning student. Stepping into these different shoes, the one constant is the importance of making social connections. This can be transformational personally and for the staff or students you work and learn with.