How Will College Be Different After COVID-19?
As colleges and universities design and implement new safety procedures, COVID-19 may escalate one of the most frequent challenges college students face—isolation. Many college students struggle with figuring out where they “fit in” under normal circumstances. With social distancing and a limit on social gatherings, there is the potential for students to feel even more isolated during this time.
Some tips for making connections at college during COVID-19:
Accept invitations to coffee, lunch, or dinner: Take a risk even if you feel afraid to say yes.
Engage in collaborative activities: Work out with friends or start a basketball group, have a trivia night or movie night, join a club, suggest reading a book with a small group of people, cook an easy group meal (taco night is a popular choice).
Get out of the apartment: Go for a walk, run, or bike ride.
Be on the lookout for signs of self-sabotage: Thoughts such as I don’t think this person really likes me can keep you from meeting people with good intentions.
Remember, you and your classmates are all in this together. With the shared experience of COVID-19, everyone has even more in common than they might have in previous years. You’ve gone through a significant shared experience, which can create a very strong bond. The outcome may be an even greater opportunity for connection.
To learn how a therapist may help you foster greater connections with your classmates, please contact Dr. Eileen Wynne today.