With most universities having a hybrid or completely online course-load available to students, many students are struggling to figure out how they can have a healthy social life while social distancing. Being on campus typically provides everyone with ample opportunity to meet new people, go new places and try new things. However, most of the things that people would do prior to COVID-19 are not safe to do anymore, given the current public health crisis. It’s a lot more difficult to meet people when you can’t go anywhere physically, but that doesn’t mean that it’s impossible! There are still plenty of opportunities to meet new people, make friends and even potentially find a romantic connection from a distance. Here are three ways that you can meet people from the safety of your own home!
- Join a Social Networking App
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Even before the pandemic began, many people were active on social networking sites because of their convenience, and because it provides an opportunity to meet people you may not cross paths with on a day to day basis. People use these sites for not only dating but networking and making friends as well. Don’t be afraid to create a profile and just indicate that you’re looking for friends, even if most people use it in pursuit of romantic or sexual relationships! Tinder, Hinge and Bumble are fairly well known social networking or dating apps, and they can be a great asset when it comes to meeting students that attend your university or locals in your city. However, if you’re looking to meet people who are farther away and not in your city or state, then those sites may not be the best tool. Instead, try out Hoop or Yubo since they make it simple for users to find and meet people from all over the world! Don’t be afraid to join any of these social networking apps and try to meet new people. We are dealing with a pandemic, and we don’t have many options when it comes to meeting new people, so do what you can!
- Join a Club
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Joining a club or organization at your university is a very easy way to meet new people! Being in the house for an extended period of time can make anyone go a little stir crazy, and getting involved and contributing to something can help prevent that from happening. Now obviously, the experience in a club or organization will not quite be the same virtually as it would be if the meetings were held in person, but it still is a great way to meet people. The other members already share some of your interests, given that they decided to join the same club or organization as you did, so it’s likely that you will be compatible as friends. During virtual meetings, just try to engage in the conversations, ask for phone numbers and participate in activities. All of these things will help you develop friendships over time and allow you to get more familiar with people that you may not know.
- Make Friends in Class
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Virtual classrooms do not usually provide many opportunities for interaction with the way most professors structure their class, but that doesn’t mean you can’t still befriend your classmates. If the professor puts you in breakout rooms or makes you do a group project, actually take the time to socialize with the people you’re grouped with! Ask them if they want to study together and exchange numbers, or even just tell them they seem cool and ask if they want to be friends! Most people are more willing than you’d think to befriend you; you just have to be willing to put yourself out there. If you’re the bold type, you can even send out a mass email to all the students in your class with your number or Snapchat and tell them to text or add you. If you are slightly bold, but not quite on that level, just send out a mass email asking if anyone wants to study together. I’m sure at least one person will be struggling in class and take you up on your offer!
We shouldn’t allow this pandemic to prevent us from having a social life. There are so many opportunities available to you if you genuinely want to meet people, so just put yourself out there! You never know who you could meet or the impact that they could have on your life.