As the world increasingly embraces online education, one concern you might have is losing connection to campus life. The traditional college experience encompasses academics but also social interaction, extracurricular activities, and a sense of community. However, with a bit of creativity and initiative, you can still stay closely connected to campus, despite the physical distance. Here are some ways we suggest staying in touch.
Join virtual clubs /organizations
THE HUB is a social platform where you can join clubs and organizations and create them yourself. You can also see news and what’s going on around campus. You can also participate in virtual leadership opportunities (for example, campus ambassador roles). Try these ideas:
- Create a study group online
- You can do this by visiting THE HUB and creating a group or by making a social media post to see who would be interested in joining the group you’re making.
- Join an online gaming group
- Online gaming is a popular community that anyone can get involved in.
Take a look at THE HUB for additional clubs and organizations that catch your eye.
Student Government
You do not need to be physically on campus to impact student life and policies. Student Government is a great way to learn about what’s going on around you with your peers. Participate in Student Government, gain leadership skills, and change campus life.
Attend virtual office hours
Attending virtual office hours helps you to stay in touch with professors and other students. You can discuss assignments, ask for feedback, or even study. Staying in touch with your peers will help you feel connected and motivated to achieve your goals. You can find these by contacting whomever you choose to do office hours with or check out the instructor’s syllabus.
Attend virtual career fairs and networking events
Check out Student Career Services and Professional Development to learn about networking events and career fairs. These events offer valuable opportunities to establish connections, gain insights into different industries, and explore internship opportunities. Kickstart your career and expand your professional network early on.
Volunteer—virtually
Do you enjoy teaching? Online tutoring might be right up your alley. Regionals Tutoring and Learning Center. This can help you get a head start if you are interested in tutoring, and it would be a great piece of information to include in a teacher portfolio or a resume!
How do I find out about virtual events?
Access the Miami University Calendar to find virtual events. Find upcoming and current events with different themes that interest you. How to find virtual events—view the quick video tutorial on the right or follow these steps:
- Visit events.MiamiOH.edu/calendar.
- Click or tap the red button, “Filter.”
- Scroll down until you see “Experience.”
- Click or tap “Virtual.”
See what is happening around the virtual campus. Search for different activities such as:
- Book discussions
- Lectures
- Health and Wellness workshops
- Cultural celebrations.
Get Social. Anytime, anywhere
Did you know you can find student tips, stories, resources, and virtual event announcements on our social media sites? Like-minded online students are there, too. Follow us on Instagram, Facebook, X, Formerly known as Twitter, and YouTube. @ us in your reels or tag us in your tips and stories.
How will you stay connected to campus?
Staying connected to campus as an online student is more than just accessing resources. By maintaining ties with your campus community, you forge relationships, access support systems, and engage in collaborative learning experiences. Whether participating in virtual clubs, attending online events, or connecting with professors and peers, staying connected ensures you remain plugged into the vibrant pulse of campus life.
Miami University Regionals E-Campus thanks and acknowledges Grace Osterberger for compiling and writing the content of this blog. Grace is a first-year student studying Applied Biology. She plans to further her career as a safety manager upon completing her degree.
