We are far removed from the days where forging a connection with your classmates could be as simple as sharing the same toy during playtime. However, the value is still there. As an adult student, connecting with your classmates can be challenging, especially if you are learning online.
You may only briefly see each other throughout the week, and your classmates’ focus will be on their other priorities and responsibilities. Making in-class connections is not usually high on anyone’s radar. However, it is still a possibility. This guide will show you how to form valuable professional relationships with your classmates and how it can help you get the most of your student career, whether you are taking classes in-person or online.
If the odds are stacked against you when it comes to connecting with your classmates, why bother? Well, just because it is challenging to form relationships with your classmates does not mean it is not worth the effort.
In fact, connecting with your classmates offers academic, career, and personal benefits that can last well after you have earned your degree. Here are the advantages of building relationships with your classmates as an adult student.
Now that you know all that you stand to gain from building relationships with your classmates, it is time to set your plans into action. Not sure where to start? Here are some great tips to help you build relationships with your classmates and expand your network.
No, seriously. Look for classmates that are regularly participating and posting on any class forums. These are typically the students who are deeply invested in their education. If your goal is to form a valuable academic connection, then these are the students you want to connect with.
Additionally, keep an eye out for people who seem like they would mesh well with you. Whether they are sporting shirts with characters from your favorite Marvel film or bring up a shared interest during class discussions, sometimes exploring a mutual interest is the easiest way to form a connection.
Whether you are attending classes in-person or online, the first step to fostering a relationship with your classmates is by introducing yourself. Depending on your goals, there are different ways that you can go about making introductions.
Unfortunately, not everyone is interested in building relationships or participating in study groups. Despite your best efforts, you may not be able to make real connections every time you try. Do not risk being seen as overbearing. If someone does not seem interested, leave them be.
Luckily, if you strike out the first time, there is an entire class full of other prospects with which you can try to form a relationship. Though it may not always be successful, if you can find just one connection, you have already succeeded.
This does not have to be a party, a study session, or anything with a title, but hanging out with your peers outside the classroom is a great way to foster a meaningful relationship. It removes the barriers of the classroom and makes room for genuine friendships to form. Regardless of whether you are attending an in-person or online course, do not be afraid to use technology to your advantage. A Zoom hangout is a perfect way to “meet up” with your classmates for online students. You can even turn it into a “zoom happy hour”. In-person classmates can meet up at a coffee shop, library, or fast-food restaurant.
Once you have forged your connection, don’t let the spark fade. Foster it, and you will reap the benefits that only come from professional relationships with your classmates. It is what makes the effort involved worth it.
At the Institute of Medical and Business Careers, you can be one of the many students who have formed lifelong friendships with your classmates. We encourage students to make the most out of their academic career, including through friendships.
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