As the university experience has moved online, there have been a lot of changes to our regular school lives. From faulty Internet connections to endless Zoom meetings with professors who can never quite seem to share their screen audio, it’s not surprising that we are facing a lot of unique challenges. One of the biggest reasons that students choose to attend a large university like SFU is to make connections and, hopefully, gain life-long friends. However, this whole online situation is making it hard for students to stay connected. This situation is especially tough on first-year students who were hoping for an effortless transition to post-secondary life but feel lonely or isolated instead. It’s even true for students like myself who have been here for years but are adjusting to online classes. Some of us might be asking: What am I supposed to do? How can I get involved in the SFU community? Here is a list of ways that have really helped me:

1. Join a student union

Joining the Communications Student Union is one of the best ways to meet other like-minded CMNS students. I would highly recommend joining the executive team as you can improve the CMNS student experience, plan cool events, and gain teamwork skills. Although the executive hiring period for this semester has already passed, the CMNSU holds various events throughout the semester that any CMNS student can attend. In addition, you may be a member of a student union even if you’re not majoring in that subject. For example, the Criminology Student Association extends their membership to all students currently enrolled in one or more courses offered by the Department of Criminology. So if you’re taking CRIM 101 as an elective, you can take part in events held by the CSA.

2. Volunteer at a charity

Are you interested in marketing? You can volunteer as a Social Media Intern. Volunteering can teach you skills you would use in a workplace and give you a boost on your resume. It can also teach you more about the position so you can have a better idea of your career goals. I would highly recommend volunteering so you can make connections while helping out a good cause. Many positions have transitioned online. Some websites you can use to find volunteer postings are myInvolvement for positions at SFU and myExperience for positions in the external community.

3. Take courses with group projects

Yes, I know, I know. Everybody hates group projects. Everyone has a horror story about how their group member stopped replying to their texts after a week. Maybe you were that group member. However, there’s a good reason why professors love assigning group projects. They get you working in a team and practicing your communication and conflict-resolution skills. Meeting up with the same people week over week and collaborating on a project is bound to create connections. For your next group project, don’t be shy and reach out to your group members. They might become your new best friend.

Remember that everyone feels awkward and alone sometimes. While this is a tough time, there are steps that you can take at SFU to create a feeling of belonging. Connecting with the wider community and making others feel less alone is one of the most important things in life. Take care of yourself, keep an open mind, and don’t be afraid to try new things.