How To Maintain Your Social Relationships During Online School (for Kids and Teens)
Not being able to see your friends every day is one of the challenges that comes with online school.Maintaining relationships with people virtually can be a challenge, and it might take a little extra work than if you were going to school with them.Even if you aren't at school every day, you can still make time to connect with your friends, as long as you focus on your studies.
Step 1: Study with your friends.
You can arrange a time for you and your friends to meet up over video chat to work on your homework or classwork.You can help each other out with tough problems if you invite anyone who is available.Make sure you finish your work.It is possible to chat with your friends for the whole time, but also to work on your homework.
Step 2: Group discussions can be had online.
You may be able to chat with your classmates in your online class.If the opportunity arises, you should talk to your classmates about your assignment and what you need to do for the class.If you were in a classic school setting, what would you say to your classmates?
Step 3: Discuss what you are reading for class in a book club.
It is helpful to talk your assigned readings with your classmates to get a new perspective.Set goals for each meeting to get a certain amount of reading done and try to schedule specific meeting times with your peers.If you have trouble putting together a book club, reach out to your teacher.
Step 4: You can connect with your friends on social media.
Social media is a great place to stay in touch with your friends and family.Talk to your parents about setting up a social media presence for you.If you do have one, make sure you follow your friends on all of your accounts.You must be at least 13 years old to sign up for most social media sites.Your friends might be using some of the popular social media sites.You might not feel connected with your friends if you scroll aimlessly through social media.If you can have private conversations or comments on their posts, you may be able to connect.
Step 5: Text your friends.
There is a good chance that your friends have a phone as well.If you want to know how your friends are doing, send them a few texts during the day and ask how they are.If you want to text all of your friends at the same time, you should put multiple people into a group chat.You should take a break from your phone when you are doing school work.
Step 6: Talk to your friends on the phone.
Texting and social media are great, but nothing beats talking on the phone.Text your friend and ask if they can talk, then call them up and have a conversation about how you are both doing, and how school is going.It is okay for some people to not like talking on the phone.You can use text or video chat.
Step 7: Schedule online calls with friends.
Video chatting is a great way to have face-to-face communication.When your friends are available, try to schedule a video meeting.You can play games or work on homework together.Video chat apps can host multiple people at the same time.
Step 8: Write a letter to your friends in the mail.
It is fun to get stuff in the mail when you are stuck at home.Send your friend a sweet note, a postcard, or a box of treats if you ask for their address.Send a package with a stamp off via the postal service to start a pen pal relationship.If you don't have stamps, you can buy them at the grocery store or post office.
Step 9: You can play online games with your friends.
Online board games are fun to play on your own, but they are even better when you play against your friends.A game where you can all play at the same time is what your friend group likes.There are a few online video games that you could try.You can use online apps for Catan, Monopoly, and Scrabble.UNO, Solitaire, and Texas Hold ‘Em are online card games.
Step 10: You can add music to the collaborative playlist.
It's likely that your tastes differ slightly between your friends.If you want to see what your friends are listening to, you can make a collaborative playlist where everyone can add their own songs.On Apple Music, you can make a collaborative playlist.
Step 11: Together with your friends, join in on safe social media challenges.
You can still participate in the social media challenge even if you can't be with your friends.Then film yourself doing it and tag your friends on social media.Hopefully, they will do the challenge and upload it.It's fun and safe to pick a challenge.The Tide Pod challenge can be deadly, the outlet challenge creates electrical sparks that can lead to a fire, and the salt and ice challenge has resulted in burns and scarring.You can even participate in an educational challenge like #SafeHands from the World Health Organization that challenges users to upload a video of themselves washing their hands.
Step 12: If you can, meet up with your friends over the weekend.
You might be able to meet up in person if you and your friends have taken the right precautions to protect their health.Talk to your parents about getting together with your friends outside.You can play a game, throw a ball, or chat with each other.Finding a way to see your friends in person can be helpful for your mental well-being.Talk to your parents before you head out to make sure you follow the guidelines set by your state or county.If you're within 6 feet of someone who isn't part of your household, you should wear a mask.It's fine that some of your friends aren't comfortable hanging out with you in person yet.