Common Myths and Tips for Socialising at an Online School

When considering an online school, a common question is ‘What does social life look like?’. Socialising is important for well-rounded learning and wellbeing so understandably, it’s a key consideration. However, contrary to misconceptions, it’s very possible to have a thriving social life as an online-based student, so in this blog, we bust those misconceptions and provide some tips for elevating the social experience whilst attending online school!

Misconceptions in An Online School

One of the most significant misconceptions is that online learning is isolating - that students stay at home with little opportunity to interact with others. In reality, the flexibility of online schooling puts students in command of their social lives.

This is a particular advantage for student athletes, performers, those on a path to accelerate their studies or some who may seek a more inclusive school environment. 

Learning online means students can choose how and when they socialise. Students can enjoy a low-distraction learning environment then take advantage of the many opportunities to connect with others both inside and outside the classroom. Whether a student wants to go out and enjoy group activities or have time alone to focus on bolstering their academic profile, they’re in control.

Another common misconception is that it’s difficult to make and maintain friendships when studying online. Socialisation may require a bit of initiative, but there are plenty of ways to make friends which we cover in the tips below! Moreover, taking the first step provides the chance to develop an important social skill, and can create deeper friendships.

Master Learning Online

• Join extracurricular activities

Joining extracurricular activities is a great way to socialise, since extracurriculars connect students through a shared interest and provide means for them to bond. Extracurriculars include sports, music, volunteering and even faculty-led and student-led clubs for shared interests such as nature, so there’s something for everyone. CGA students can get involved in extracurriculars by joining groups within their local community or by participating in some of the school’s clubs, such as the photography club or game development club.

CGA Student Leader, Sophie, is pioneering collaboration among students with a range of initiatives and projects for students to discover their own leadership skills, talents and to discover similar interests.

Ollie, a CGA student based in Australia, is an example of how students can connect through extracurriculars: “I joined a soccer club with other kids from my area, and I've made friends out of that. And it's stuff like the Harvard Model United Nations Conference. I had the chance to meet Carter [another CGA student] in real life, and I met other people that live in Sydney that I'm planning to [meet] with as well”.

• Participate in the CGA community

CGA has fostered a global community of friendly, inspiring students, so make the most of it! There are many chances to engage with the community, for example through assemblies, form times, break out rooms, or social days (such as a recent in-person art meetup in Auckland, a sports day in Japan and a Pharaoh exhibit in Melbourne). During these meet-ups and extracurricular events, be sure to participate in activities and share, so you can get to know others and they can get to know you.

Head Girl of CGA Aoraki campus, Paige, shares: “Everyone in my form time is super close and we use the half hour of form time to really connect, catch-up and share what’s going on in our lives.”

• Reach out

Reaching out can be daunting but it’s the first step in building a friendship. Whether it’s over Teams or in a break out room, if there’s someone you want to talk to, say something! Discussing class, an interest they’ve shared, like Psychology as a subject, club or potential career, or complimenting their outfit can be great conversation starters. It’s easy to get caught up in fears of saying the wrong thing or not getting a response, but it’s a chance to brighten someone’s day and more than likely, they’ll appreciate the effort. Taking that chance to make a new friend is worth it.

• Shared milestones

Despite attending school virtually, CGA offers a full calendar of traditions that unite students in a shared experience. From day one of school and orientation week, to regular assemblies, career fairs and club showcases right up to graduation ceremonies, students have an opportunity to bond over shared memories which are just as vivid when experienced virtually; they’re are sure to last a lifetime.

Despite the misconceptions, there are many ways to socialise as a student at an online school. By taking initiative and making the most of the many social opportunities both in and out of school, students can set themselves up to have flourishing social lives.