How Students are Staying Connected with Each Other

By: Ayla Ozturk

The pandemic has separated us from those we care about for the sake of our safety. It was hard for students to figure out how to stay connected to their peers during a time where it wasn’t possible to go to a football game, a cafe, or anything where they can be physically together.

As time went on, students have found multiple ways to maintain their relationships and stay connected to the outside world while being safe.

Technology has made connecting with others so much easier, even when we weren’t in a global pandemic. From FaceTime to social media, you can see what is going on in others’ lives at the touch of a button.

Many students have been utilizing our vast access to technology to stay safe including Ahsab Alabedin, class of 2021.

“I mostly just text my close friends over social media. Every once in a while I’ll be put in a breakout room with my friends so that’s nice,” says Alabedin.

Technology hasn’t been the only way students are staying connected. Some students have small outdoor gatherings following CDC guidelines or see their friends during school sports practices such as Natalie McDonnell, class of 2023.

“Over this pandemic, I’ve been able to hang out with my friends outdoors and with masks on.  I’ve also been practicing with my track and soccer teams, so I’ve been able to see my teammates through those,” says McDonnell.

The distance and limitations for how people can get together have also affected students’ relationships with each other. Not being able to see your friends as often as you used to is hard. A lot of students have mentioned the fact that they have grown apart from some people.

Jackson Ford, class of 2022 said, “A lot of friends I have had during school I don’t talk to as often, but I still consider them my friends. There are just some friends I connect with more often than others, but those are only my closest friends.”

McDonnell and Alabedin have also shared their experiences. McDonnell states, “I haven’t necessarily lost any friendships over the pandemic, but I definitely have grown apart from some.  It’s hard to maintain a strong friendship when you’re not even able to see each other in person very often.”

Alabedin said something similar along with adding that it can be very awkward, “It’s probably made me more distant from my friends because, during regular school, you would have school friends where you guys would just talk during class, but you don’t really get that anymore. It’s also made it harder to make new friends since no one talks in breakout rooms or anything and it’s super awkward.”

Another thing people wonder is whether putting the effort into staying connected is beneficial or not. Ford says, “Staying connected is completely beneficial because it allows us to socialize with people that we relate to and helps us feel normal in these times that are anything but normal.”

The pandemic has tested our connections for the past year. As the students mentioned, it’s caused us to drift from people and has made finding a way to preserve relationships really hard, but putting in the effort is worth it.

 “It’s important to have that social aspect in your life, even if it’s from a distance.”

Natalie Mcdonnell, ’23

With the partial return to in-person school, some of this will change. Instead of seeing each other in a breakout room, they’ll see each other six feet apart on campus. Students aren’t sure what to expect, but they know that there will be change.

Bailey Burdick, class of 2024 says, “Students will be able to talk to each other much more easily. I’m sure more friendships will sprout. It won’t be the same as it was last year, but I’m optimistic that we will be able to connect normally again soon!”

This time has been crazy, things are changing every day. But as Burdick said, things will get back to normal eventually.

Staying connected has really helped these students get through this pandemic, and they all have different ways of doing it. Make sure you are staying connected in a safe way, it will really help.

Tags: ayla ozturk, clubs & lifestyles, covid-19, Freshman, humans of redwood, juniors, Redwood, redwood gigantea, redwood journalism, redwood rangers, seniors, sophomore