Safely Connecting With Friends This Semester

With the start of the fall semester, it’s understandable that a lot of college students returning to campus are excited for a change of scenery and seeing their friends. However, with COVID-19 policies still in place, it is important that we keep ourselves and our friends safe this semester.

Since the connections and relationships we have with friends are still such a meaningful aspect of the college experience, there is no need to fret, because there are still plenty of safe and fulfilling ways to connect with your friends this semester!

Socially Distant Picnic

Nothing says summertime like a picnic, and this summer classic can still happen during quarantine. You can soak up some summer sun and get some fresh air with as many friends as you want with a virtual picnic!

Everyone can bring their laptops, phones, or tablets to video chat each other as they set up their own picnic spread in whatever area they’d like. This allows you to still enjoy a fun picnic while also keeping you and your friends safe by ensuring that everyone is social distancing. Plus, you get to invite as many people as you want, and they can be anywhere in the world!

Virtual Dinner Party

One of my favorite things to do is host dinner parties or brunches for my friends. But in order to stay safe this semester, I’m planning on hosting some virtual dinner and brunch parties where my friends and I all get to be our own host. A virtual dinner or brunch party is super easy to do, and there are so many ways to make it as fancy or as casual as you want.

Have everyone agree on a dress code or theme for the party, and show off everyone’s outfits (or even room decorations!) at the beginning of the video chat. You can also use this theme to decide what food everyone will cook or order in for the day. Everyone can cook the same thing and see who has the most interesting recipe, or everyone can do their own thing. Just don’t forget to get any of your favorite recipes from your friends before the party is over! 😉

Virtual Game or Movie Night

There are so many apps and websites out there that allow people to play games together or watch the same movie or TV show, and now is the perfect time to take advantage of them. Get a few friends together on your preferred video chatting platform and play a game of Scribble, or start watching a TV series with your friends every weekend.

The best part of this social gathering is that it takes so little time to plan—perfect for when finals start and you just need some time to relax!

There are so many other ways that you can connect safely with your friends and loved ones this semester, so keep the ideas flowing. Don’t be afraid to find creative ways to recreate some of your favorite activities this semester!