Strikes may mean fewer nine-a.m.'s and more lie-ins, but they don’t have to mean losing touch with your coursemates.
With ongoing university strikes, you might find yourself with less time-tabled time together, making it harder to support each other and maintain friendships. If you’re struggling to stay connected during this period, you’re not alone! The promise of fewer in-person lectures and seminars gives way to the potential for one to feel less engaged, disconnected and consequently isolated, with fewer social interactions.
Regardless of strikes, Gov.uk finds that loneliness is experienced by a staggering 92%, though nearly half admit to being worried about being judged for admitting this. In any case, maintaining friendships proves to be important for both academic and personal well-being.
Here are some ways to stay connected:
- Shared activities – attending society events, gym sessions or even cooking together. All I’m saying is doing a food shop with a friend is a lot more fun than going by yourself; why not extend an invitation?
- Social catchups – from coffee dates, and pub quizzes to group walks, reaching out to make plans like these are more than likely to keep friendships strong.
- Study groups – not only does this help with keeping up with friends, but these meet-ups allow an opportunity to discuss course material and learn together. This is perfect for those who might also be concerned about their academics taking a hit in this period.
- Online chats and calls – keeping group chats active and Facetime are great lower-effort ways to check-in. So, whilst strikes may disrupt the usual routine, friendships don’t have to suffer. Reaching out to others and being proactive about staying in touch makes such a big difference. University is about more than just academics; the people you meet along the way are just as important.
