How Online Students Can Build Bonds With Professors and Peers
Posted: March 15, 2024 | Author: Madelyn Bushman | Read Time: 4 minutes
Do you feel as if you are going through your online higher education journey without a support system? Or find yourself wishing you were creating bonds and personal connections with peers and professors as if you were on campus?
Developing bonds with your professors and peers online can help establish a sense of community while attending SUU. It can also help increase your educational success and motivational outcomes. As an online student, it can be a bit more difficult to build relationships with your peers and professors because you are completely online and aren’t in class 2-3 times a week, face-to-face with one another. But don’t let that discourage you.
Here are some tips for building relationships with your professors and peers as an online student at SUU:
1. Participate in online discussions
Online discussions are structured to encourage interaction and engagement. Collaborating with peers back and forth and furthering the discussion beyond requirements can help create personal connections through the screen.
SUU alumnus Tawny Hammond explained how participating in online discussions helped provide a sense of community while obtaining her degree.
“I was concerned I wouldn’t feel connected to people,” said Hammond. “But when professors were involved with students, and the students participated in discussions, the online experience was great. I was sad when students didn’t participate in those because I would have enjoyed getting to know them.”
2. Utilize office hours
Professors’ office hours are reserved for students, meaning this can be a good time to meet with your professors when needing help on assignments or wanting more clarification on what is expected for the exams or projects. It’s important to note that you shouldn’t wait until the last minute to talk to your professor about an exam or assignment. The sooner you contact them, the more time there is to resolve issues.
This also is a chance for you to talk to your professors and strengthen your bond as they see your willingness to improve and hear feedback. You may be surprised how much your work will improve and how much more connected you feel toward your college experience.
There are also alternatives to office hours, such as emailing your professor with questions or setting up an alternative time to meet with them. Balancing familial responsibilities, full-time employment and various other commitments can pose challenges when trying to attend the professor’s daytime office hours. Advocate for yourself by emailing your professor and working with them to find a good time for both of you.
3. Form study groups
Reach out to peers through canvas messages and start a virtual study group!
This can be resourceful when needing clarification about an assignment or topic. This can also be a great way to create relationships with fellow students and empower one another to succeed. You can use video conferencing tools like Google Meet or Zoom to facilitate your study groups and build relationships.
4. Join optional Zoom meetings
Some professors will host weekly optional Zoom meetings to go over the week’s material and content, answer any questions students may have and clarify any confusion on assignments or exams. This is a great resource to virtually interact with your professors and peers, building bonds and support systems.
5. Connect with peers on social media
Almost everyone is on social media nowadays, allowing online students to utilize social media platforms to connect with peers. Follow your classmates on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram or whatever platform you prefer. SUU also has an SUU Online Community Group on Facebook where online students can join and connect with others.
6. Participate in the introduction discussion
Many online classes involve an initial get-to-know-you discussion. Share a little about your life, be authentic and share aspirations.
Additionally, you can learn about others by reading their posts and making connections that way. This can help establish a personal connection with both your professor and peers as they learn more about you behind the screen. Plus, the networking done here might present future employment opportunities.
Experiencing a sense of connection with the campus and fellow students has the potential to positively influence your educational journey. While establishing connections may pose challenges, especially as an online student, it is achievable! Consider implementing any or all of these suggestions to connect with your professors and peers, relieving stress and fostering a sense of community through your educational experience at SUU.
Tags: Student Life SUU Online
