5 Tips for Reconnecting

People from different parts of the world have been grounded for 18 months since 2020 due to the pandemic. Although people understand the importance of isolation, they are still tired of staring at computer and phone screens and eager to get out and socialize. However, it could be hard for them to get used to the normal life again. Reconnecting with the outside world becomes a huge problem.

In order to solve this problem, we invited several international students from Trinity College and schools from other countries to see how they feel during the pandemic and how to solve these problems and reconnecting with the outside world. Here are 5 tips that we gained after the interviews.

Tip1: Going out and communicating with others after lockdowns

Once the lockdown is finished, people would be allowed to go out and have fun with friends. According to Luka, a graduated high school international student studying in Sheffield, England, “after lockdowns, I went back to school and often hung out with my classmates, that made me find the lost social ability and embrace the familiar world”. He only increased the frequency of meeting friends. One Trinity student studying offline in Melbourne, Emma went to the gym punctually after lockdowns and met some like-minded friends or partners who enjoy fitness. Even though Emma did exercise during lockdowns, she still prefers doing it in the gym due to the opportunities to communicate with others. You might understand her, right? She also went to some of special festivals or events in Melbourne like Mumba. 

Emma also suggests just walking. For instance, you could visit the gallery, museum, to meet interesting people. You would be able to talk with someone even just go to the supermarket, that must be a completely different feeling for you compared with online chatting. Travelling without purposes or destinations is also a good idea, maybe you could meet new friends on the way? Do anything that breaks up the online chatting.

Tip2: Paying attention to news

Because of the impact of the pandemic, many students have not gone out for a long time, have not had enough contact with teachers or classmates and cannot intuitively contact with external information. At this time, it is particularly important to pay attention to news reports. They can help people better understand the outside world and keep up with the actual social situation, so as not to separate us from modern society or be too bored at home. Huang from Trinity College who is studying online stated that “paying attention to news through phone or TV helps me keep up with the current circumstances. By doing this, I barely feel the sense of disconnected.”

Tip3: Participating in class actively

Most international students cannot go abroad to study offline courses, but can only take online courses, which is a huge challenge for many students. Here’s an interview we did with Wangzi, a student at Trinity College. He thinks the pandemic has had a big impact on his life because he is a person who does not like to stay at home and likes making friends very much. “Now I can only stay at home, and the only way he can communicate is with his classmates in online classes”. After a long period of adjustment, he believes the key to communicate with the outside world is to be positive. “Because we cannot go out, language communication is the main way of contact, and language communication needs to be active. Taking the initiative to communicate with each other can shorten the distance between people faster, to get in touch”

Tip4: Asking for help if necessary

Universities around the world are also taking steps to help students affected by the pandemic. Some delay school applications, some offer useful advice and guidance, and some focus on students’ mental health and provide counseling services. Like Emma said, she didn’t feel disconnected from the world during the pandemic. Because of the welfare support she received from Trinity College, the University of Melbourne. ‘I live with my family in Melbourne, so I could communicate with them, as well as my friends and teachers through the Internet. Furthermore, the well-being of our school gave us much support（Emma， 2021）.’ So, if you feel lonely and depressed, asking school for help is also a good way to reconnect with the world.

Tip5: Taking full advantage of social media 

Social media is a useful platform that helps people with their reconnection as it contains information from all aspects. During the interview, a Trinity College student Zhang mentioned that “I posted short videos on TikTok about me cooking. I was proud that many people left positive comments below which gives me an opportunity to communicate with strangers from all over the world.” In addition, he suggests that “I recommend everyone post something on any social media platform, and you can even do it during the lockdown. It makes you feel less disconnected.” Indeed, social media brings us many advantages. By posting content that you are interested in, you can find people with common interests. 

Besides, chatting with friends through internet is also a good way to reduce the feeling of disconnected. Amy, an international student currently studying in Toronto University, reflected that she spent almost 40 days in quarantine. During these days, she chatted to friends through social network. “I was stuck in a small hotel during these days, and I felt like dying when I was there. I tried to connect with the outside world by news on my phone and TV and I got in touch with my friends in China through Internet.”

Hope these tips above help you reconnect with the outside world during or after the pandemic.