Earning your college degree as an eLearner and attending school online may seem challenging if you want a social life.
It doesn’t have to be.
Here are 4 ways you could cultivate a social life while working hard towards your degree:
1. Email
You could use your .edu address. It may be a great way to communicate with professors and peers. Since you are an online student, you might have to go out of your way to introduce yourself to other people. It’s okay and it could be worth it in the long run.
Remember, however, to think of each email you send as a way of communicating your professionalism.
Therefore, be specific in the subject line, address your contact formally—unless he or she is a peer, state what you are writing about in the first couple of lines, and sign off with “Sincerely” or “Best.” If you are writing to a study buddy, you may drop the formality.
2. Hobbies
Since you are an online student, you may find that you have more time to do the things you love. Whether it’s signing up for a cooking class or taking kite sailing lessons, you could meet people with similar interests in your area.
By using a tool like Meetup.com, you may search for events taking place in your locale. Then pick and choose which ones interest you and try a couple.
If you’re worried about safety, pair up with a friend to attend the meeting. You could connect with people who enjoy the same activities you do as well as expand your social network.
3. Social media
Most students have social media profiles. If you are enrolling as an online student for the first time, ask your professor if there is a Facebook group for your class or a Twitter account.
This way, you may get in touch with classmates throughout the week and interact. Remember, every tweet you send out into the virtual universe could be viewed by potential employers and current professors so keep them classy.
Netiquette when engaging online is just as important as manners in real life. You probably want to portray yourself as an intelligent person who is conscious of others’ feelings since you hope to be employed after graduation, right?
4. Message boards
You may have to participate in regular discussions via message boards as an online student. You might as well make the most of it.
If you are required to log in at specific times, note them on your calendar as soon as you obtain your syllabus. By participating with classmates, you could make friends and even study buddies.
Being an online student and having a social life may be possible. You might have to go out of your way a bit more than a traditional student to make friends but the end results could be well worth the effort.
What’s your social life?
I’d really like to hear about your social life, what have worked or not worked for you as an online student or blogger or writer.
Have you tried anything above?
Please leave a comment and let me know. All ideas are welcome!
Hi Pamela,
I kind of had to chuckle when I read this because I came online about six years ago to start my business and I haven’t had a social life since. It took so much time to learn all of this and then implement it as well plus start making some money so I had no life outside this computer.
I can only imagine going to school online and studying as well so we all know that life does get in the way at times but I still keep in touch with my friends. The best part is I’ve met a lot of people since coming online but most of that was through blogging.
These are great ways though to meet people if you are studying or not able to get out as much.
Thanks and hope you both are enjoying your week.
~Adrienne
About 3 years ago I finished traditional master degree in electrical engineering. Among these 4 ways Pamela mentioned, the most important were e-mail and social media.
Because even on traditional schools there are plenty activities going online like homework, lists of tasks and results, material from lectures etc and without an e-email and social media the communication (and socialization) between my colleagues would’ve been unthinkable.
Thanks Adrienne for stopping by, I appreciate it.
Hi Adrienne,
I hear you. I returned to college as a nontraditional student and mother of two, great kids. Fortunately, social media, discussion boards, and emailing enriched my college experience and permitted me to multi-task. Heck, I even managed to throw in a hobby somehow.
Running your own business while going to college can be tough. However, if we utilize technology like some of the tips mentioned above, we may be able to remain in touch with our friends and have an online social life.
Thanks for weighing in. Sending you successful business vibes!
~Pamela
Hi Pamela,
All seem like helpful ways and means to be social.
In college email was just getting to be a big thing.
I am dating myself 😉
So for me the internet was a small factor in me being social.
I had to do it the old fashioned way.
Using my legs lol!
Thanks!
Hi Ryan,
We all could use some old fashion social tools like legs ;). Talking face to face instead of Facebook etc.
But the world is rapidly changing and we just need to stay on track with modern changes.
Thanks Ryan, appreciate your comment and your visit. I hope I’ll see you again soon.
~ Dragan
Hi Ryan,
The first time around, when I attended college straight out of high school, having an online presence wasn’t too important.
However, with my second time as a nontraditional student, it helped make my life easier and I was able to stay in touch with friends and family.
I don’t think online connections can ever replace face-to-face or in-person contact–as Dragan suggests. It is important to have a balanced social life–on and offline.
Have a great evening and thanks for dropping by!
~Pamela