"No man is an island." – John Donne
Being quarantined and stuck at home for 8+ months has been hard and isolating. But for those who are starting school as a freshmen or transferring to a new school a new challenge has arose, making friends. So how do we make friends and bonds with our peers to help make our high school years more enjoyable? That's why I'm here, your gurl has 5 tips to get you some friends!
💡Tip #1: Participate
We spend most of our time in class, so its the best platform to show your personalities, likes, dislikes, hobbies, etc. with you fellow peers and exponential friends. If you don't participate in class , even when its optional, your not giving your classmates I chance to you and they will have no reason to seek a friendship with you. So take the leap of faith and show off your intelligence, sense of humor, taste in music, etc. and it will help make finding friends much easier.
💡Tip #2: Interact outside of the (virtual)classroom
Where do most teens go after school? On their phones. (If they aren't already using it during the school day, yes that was a direct sub to you.) So as you start participating in class find ways to get your classmates socials and be sure to follow up with them after school. Don't say you'll follow or add them back and you never do, that's shady. Talking with your classmates on Instagram, Twitter, Snapchat and other social media platforms will allow you to make a stronger bond and connection in a more personal and low-risk environment. And if you're not on social media or not allowed to use social media don't fret, I got you. You can game and text as well and you should be very open to those means of communication.
💡Tip#3: Create study groups
If you feel confused in a class like chemistry or Trig, trust me you are not alone. And this allows you to make friends and work together to solve problems. If you feel really embarrassed, you can email your teacher as well. Teachers can help set up study groups or put you in breakout rooms which could still benefit you. This creates a bond like not other because we all know that Trig is a storm and if y'all can weather that storm you'll be inseparable!
💡Tip#4: Join clubs and other student organizations
One of the best ways to make friends is joining clubs! It allows you spend time doing things you enjoy while meeting and bonding with other classmates who have similar interests. Look at some of the already existing clubs and When you see something you're interested in, connect with the group's leadership to see when and where they meet. If there isn't a club that interest, don't be afraid to start one!
💡 Tip#4a: Join events, mixers,etc.
As an online student, you need to stay in touch with your teachers and peers. You can consider joining chat rooms on discord or other social media platforms to connect with your peers more effectively. There might be online mixers or town-halls organized by your school so that students can interact in a a more relax setting and have fun. Its usually a funny and exciting experience for students.
💡Tip#5: Make it a priority
Remote learning is new and stressful. Many have to juggle jobs/internships, after school programs, family obligations, free time, and homework/studying for classes. And making friends with classmates you barely know how they look like because they refused to turn on their cameras (another direct sub) isn't easy. Its also very time consuming, which is why you should make it a priority. Otherwise, you’ll quickly forget about and be too focused on your busy schedule.
💬 Feel free to comment and react below!