Life has been incredibly hard for everyone since the pandemic struck last year, but it has been especially tough for college students. College is supposed to be the most exciting time of your life—you finally get to go out in the ‘real world’, enjoy your independence, make friends from all over the world and learn lots of new things! Sadly, students who started college in 2020 have not had the opportunity to experience any of these wonderful things. While classes and other events are still happening online, let’s admit that it is definitely not the same! If you’re a new college student who is yearning for the proper ‘campus experience’, we’ve got some fantastic tips for you!
Join A College Club
Ask anybody who’s attended college and they will say the best part about their student life was the clubs! Of course, thanks to the pandemic, many clubs like sports or dance cannot resume activities, but don’t lose hope—there are plenty others to choose from. Your college’s literary society, music or debating team might have all gone online, but that doesn’t mean they are any less fun. So find an activity you really enjoy and attend its virtual group session. This is a great way to meet students from other courses as well!
Catch Up With Professors Via Email
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As a new student, making a good impression on your professors is important. After all, they are the ones who will guide you for the next three years, as well as grade your assignments. While it may not be possible to meet them in person, send an introductory email to all your professors and tell them about yourself. This will make you come across as someone who takes their studies seriously and will also help build a good rapport with them.
Make Use Of College Resources
One of the best things about college is that you have access to some of the best educational resources. Once classes begin, your college will give you access to online libraries and virtual lectures for other departments. Take advantage of this opportunity and use your extra time at home to expand your horizon. This way, when you finally return to campus, you will be a more well-rounded individual.
Always Keep Your Camera On
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If given a choice, most of us would prefer to keep our cameras off. After all, who wants to make the effort to dress up and look put-together every morning? But when you’ve just joined college, it might be a good idea to leave your camera on during online lectures. This will familiarise you with your classmates and professors, and interacting with them while looking at their faces might help you bond faster.
Host After-Class Study Sessions
Personally speaking, my favourite college memories were made during the post-lecture study sessions with my classmates. It was a fun way to exchange knowledge, discuss ideas and share a few laughs along the way. But just because classes have been virtual since 2020, it doesn’t mean you can’t have your own study session. If you can’t do it in person, take your study groups online! And if nobody has done it so far, take the initiative to host one yourself, and invite all your classmates—they will be thankful you took the first step.
Help Out New Joinees
If you have already spent some time at the college, help out newcomers by taking them on virtual tours and offer to be their online ‘guide’. This will make you feel a sense of pride and belonging towards your college. Plus, the freshers will also feel more at ease being guided by someone who has gone through exactly what they are feeling. And who knows, you might even make new friends!
Attend All Virtual Social Events
Most colleges will host virtual events like a ‘fresher’s night’ for their new students, and we highly encourage you to attend each and every one of them. This is a good way to get to know all your new classmates and break the ice. You might also get a chance to interact with your seniors and professors, which is a win-win situation!
Your college years are certainly the most formative years of your life—so don’t let the pandemic take them away from you! Try to bond with your classmates in fun ways so that when you finally meet them in person, it will be like meeting long-lost friends.
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This article is part of a social initiative called #KhayalRakhna by Philips. We hope to provide you with some comfort, relief and guidance as we power through these tough times. If you are finding it hard to cope, we encourage you to get in touch with a mental health professional.
