If I hear one more time that we’re living in unprecedented times…
If you thought finding community on a commuter campus was hard, welcome to an all-inclusive, full-time, never-ending pandemic extravaganza! Free masks! Free anxiety! Can you name a better situation for university students?
Never fear, for I am here to guide you through some ideas to meet new people and combat loneliness during the pandemic. It’s important to provide a disclaimer here: I am in no way qualified to make these suggestions, nor can I testify to their effectiveness. Here’s what I can say: This pandemic sucks. It is frustrating and lonely and exhausting. I’ve been considering the cost and possibility of creating a time machine so I can time-jump into the future and leave COVID-19 behind me. No luck.
When I sat down to write out some “tips and tricks” for finding community during COVID-19, most of my suggestions seemed to be shallow attempts at looking positively at this pandemic. I’m still going to list these suggestions, but keep in mind that nothing I provide will get to the root of the issue: COVID-19. No, the root of the issue is not the social distancing protocols or your anti-masker uncle who seems dedicated to single-handedly spiking the curve — blame the virus.
Without further ado, here is a list of strategies to stay (figuratively) close to your loved ones and find community in these times. Don’t worry — I’m not going to suggest that you start baking bread or write an entire novel. We’re university students. Nobody has time for that in a pandemic.
- Call up friends and family. I know it’s been a suggestion since day one, but it’s important to check in with relatives and others you may have lost touch with. Remember: you’re not alone in this. If you’re sick of connecting over Zoom (who isn’t?), an old-fashioned phone call does the trick — plus, you can walk around your apartment or bedroom as you chat. Bonus points for exercise! While you’re at it, snail mail some Christmas cards to your loved ones. There’s nothing better than receiving mail (as long as it’s not a bill).
- Join UFV clubs and associations. I’m 100 per cent serious about this one. Clubs are a great place to meet new people who have similar interests! Take a break from your studies once in a while and virtually hang out with people. MyCampusLife is a good starting place for finding clubs and events.
- Make an effort to know your classmates. Many classes have discussion boards or office hours to connect with your professors and classmates. If you have a group project, be interactive! It makes the class more personal and interesting to know the people in the same position you’re in. Have I connected with my classmates this semester? Nope. Am I being a hypocrite by suggesting this? Probably.
- Create a study group with your friends. Gather up some friends or classmates and find a space to study. You don’t even have to be studying the same thing. You can do this virtually by setting up a Zoom meeting and keeping the program open as you study. Or, once the temporary restrictions lift, you could carefully expand your bubble and meet in a cafe or public library, as long as you adhere to their safety protocols. I didn’t create a study group this semester, and I’m reaping the consequences.
- Volunteer in real life. Virtually volunteering for a club or organization is very important, but nothing compares to being in person. If you’re comfortable with in-person volunteerism, the Abbotsford Food Bank is looking for volunteers for their food hampers and Fresh Food Recovery program.
- Remember that lockdowns are temporary. This is what I’m hanging on to this week. University alone can be difficult, and going to university during a pandemic is even harder. But you’re going to get through it. Take a deep breath, call up a good friend, and remember that this won’t be forever.
Lately I’ve been considering what it means to be an optimist. I’ve been struggling to think of the “good” things that have come out of COVID-19. But somewhere between my second breakdown and my sixth handful of chocolate chips to snack on, I’ve started to think that it’s okay. I don’t have to be okay with this. I don’t have to be “happy” about this because, quite frankly, it’s exhausting trying to think positively all the time.
Instead, I can focus on what I can do to make my days a little more bearable. Following these suggestions is not going to turn your life around overnight. If you’re super busy (is that even a question?), aim to do one thing to reach out and get connected. Call up your grandma this week. Study for finals with a friend on Zoom. Go to one UFV club event. Baby steps, am I right?
You got this!
(Simon Abrams/Unsplash)
Danaye studies English and procrastination at UFV and is very passionate about the Oxford comma. She spends her days walking to campus from the free parking zones, writing novels she'll never finish, and pretending to know how to pronounce abominable. Once she graduates, she plans to adopt a cat.