How to Make Friends at School in an Online Setup?

Starting any new thing has never been an easy task but if we don’t give up and continue doing it by following the necessary steps, it becomes possible.

The same goes for friendship at school if one is in a new place or does not know people staying around. Enrolling in a new online school and making friends is exciting yet intimidating too.

School is not solely a place where study or academic learning is the core purpose, rather, it ensures the all-round development of a child.

First, it is a place where a student interacts with others and gets acquainted with the other culture, shares and gets new information, and builds friendships that can continue for a lifetime.

Having a companion makes your school-going experience exciting and makes the journey more meaningful. As we are being more particular about constructing friendships, you must understand that today’s topic is going to revolve around it.

No matter whether you are in a new school/environment or willing to expand your circle, the primary things to make friends lie in being approachable, genuine, and open to new experiences.

Let’s understand precisely the steps you need to follow to build friendships in online school.

Simple Steps to Build Friendships at School

1. Use Conversation Starters to Break the Ice

The first time one meets someone new can be quite awkward, however, it must not be so.

Try to come across common icebreakers. For example, observe how the person you want to interact with is interacting with other people. 

Sometimes you may decide to comment on something that is happening around you or the videos you watch, you can ask for help with a particular topic or subject, or you may just wish to congratulate or compliment any of them for something special that you like about them.

For example; You can say, “I like your backpack, where did you purchase it?” or “Did you get the maths homework”? These small starters help to ease a dialogue and make a friendly start.

2. Spend Time with Your Friend’s Friends

Once you make one or two friends, the next step is to make new friends by going around with your friends’ friends.

This leads you to come across more people that you can have things in common with or even share the same temperament as you.

Online group projects/activities are also a good way for individuals to know more about the other person and want to make new friends because this way you will have ample time to spend together and thus will understand each other.

The longer you remain in each other’s company the more comfortable you get, and in no time at all you get to be comrades.

3. Look for Common Interests

If the things you like are the same as what someone else likes, it makes the friendship stronger and it is the basis of good friendship.

It can be anything like maybe you two have common interests in sports, music, gaming, or some kind of hobby, etc, looking for something common helps in making the bond easily and remains stronger once made.

Take part in school clubs, sports teams, or any other extracurricular activities where you meet with like-minded individuals. Once you meet such a person, it becomes easier to share things and deepen your connection. 

Also, read Top 5 Benefits of Co-curricular Activities for Students to understand how it helps in the holistic development of your child. 

4. Create a Study Group Online

Sometimes it happens like what we find hard to understand from teachers, our friends make us understand that part easily.

Therefore, in a virtual education setup, it is important to create a study group where students can discuss what is being taught, solve and ask queries of others, get along in some kind of group projects, etc.

Some students feel comfortable sharing their points in front of friends instead of the teacher and this way they learn better. 

Read, Benefits of Studying Online During the Recession Period to understand how you utilise your time more effectively towards study. 

5. Ask Open-Ended Questions

Instead of asking questions that may be responded to with ‘yes or ‘no’ use more probing questions that have more in-depth answers.

It may take time to complete but it makes conversation continuous and even develops some level of rapport.

For example, instead of asking for example “Did you like the movie?” tell, “Which part of the movie did you enjoy most?” That leads them to speak more about their ideas and perceptions.

6. Be a Good Listener

Of all interpersonal communication skills, one that may probably require most practice is listening, which is critical in the development of friendship.

Active listening means that you give the other person a sign that you respect their opinion or idea.

Just listen to all that they have to say, occasionally offering a nod in affirmation and then referring back to things that have been said in subsequent discussions.

People value friends who take an interest in them and the things that they have to say.

Also, check The Importance Of Skill Development in School Education to know why you need to work on developing skills. 

Conclusion

In conclusion, obtaining life skills is considered as one of the important inputs that facilitate opportunities to make friends within schools and therefore, enhance social relationships. 

Such skills are not scholarly but help the students to intervene, bargain, reason and deal with others. These skills if developed the students are prepared to face the future both socially and academically and lead a very fulfilling life.