Create a class group chat

Odds are, if you’re not taking an independent study, you are in class with at least one another person. This being so, considering making a class group chat for your classmates and find some camaraderie for the semester. Group chats are a great way to ask casual questions about the class, host study sessions, or have a space for folks who know exactly what you are doing. For a seminar or small classes, be sure to include all members of the class by gathering email addresses from a class Coursework page or sending the link to join during class. For larger lectures, considering making a group chat with people in a breakout group that went well, classmates you've worked with on an assignment, etc.

Attend department and campus events 

Most departments have been hosting various events or speakers throughout the academic year. If you have the capacity the day of an event, try to attend! Students can attend these events in a low-stakes way and this can be a way to meet new people through conversations about insights shared at the event. If you play a role in organizing an event, inviting classmates who you feel would be interested is a great way to get connected. 

Utilize the chat feature!

While it can be hard to establish new friendships via Zoom, you could offer moments of connection or support via the chat feature. A small message of “really loved the point you just made, thanks for sharing!’ or “you gave a great presentation!” can go a long way and can create a greater sense of community.

Check-In when you have questions

When you have questions that your classmates may not be able to answer, your TA is there to the rescue! Connecting with your TA during their student hours/office hours for questions about the class may feel less intimidating, since your TAs can help break down complex topics in ways that are easier to understand. Your TA will likely also want to get to know you better over the course of the semester. These moments of learning can be great moments of connection as you celebrate your learning and growth! 

Helpful questions you could ask during TA office hours might include: 

• What are my strengths in the course thus far? Are there areas I should try to improve? 

• What’s the ideal place to be in our (assignment/essay/final project) at the moment? 

• What’s a topic/subject/reading that you are looking forward to in the course? Do you have any tips that might help me in this course?

Ask for their wisdom 

Oftentimes, your TA is a graduate student who knows what it is like to experience the stress of undergrad. They have also undergone the application process of graduate school and are actively navigating schoolwork, just like you. With this in mind, attending student hours/office hours and asking them about their tips and strategies for thriving in college could be a great way to connect with your TAs. 

Some topics to chat about might include:

• How they decided their course of study 

• What the grad school application process was like, especially if you have an interest in graduate school

• How they went about finding a faculty mentor or how they connected with faculty as an undergraduate student

Share class insights 

The connection with your TA can be a two-way street: as TAs can assist with coursework and insight for undergraduate/graduate work, you can also shar insights about what’s working really well in class. This form of feedback can help your TA know how the class is going for you and your peers and offer an opportunity for you to connect over new ideas on how to engage in the course.

You could bring up anything that’s working really well is the course (such as there always being 10 minutes at the start of class for questions or the flexibility of deadlines). If you are struggling with an aspect of the course, you can also use this time to ask for additional support or guidance.

Ask about them and their research or interests

In order to build a more meaningful connection with your professors, you might consider asking them about the work they do and why. During a professor's student hours/office hours, consider asking them about what sparked their interest in their field of study and how they came to love their subject matter. This is also a great chance to connect over your shared interest in the subject (especially if the professor is in your department!) and gain more insight about the field as a whole. People usually talk about their passions, and it's always fun to listen.
 

Possible starting points for your conversation could be: 

• What was your dissertation about? Why did you choose that topic to study? 

• What made you choose to do research and instruct at Barnard/Columbia? 

• Could you tell me about your current project(s)?

Attend their events and ask for supplemental readings 

Another way to connect with a professor is through seeing them in action! Outside of class, many professors partake in events or talks centered on their research or subject matter. This can be a fun way to see your professor engage with people outside of the classroom and learn more about their subject of interest. A professor may share an event they will be featured in. If that would be too much Zoom for you (completely understandable!), consider asking your professor for other texts they found interesting relating to class, their own scholarship, or if they have any suggested readings for you based on your interests. A connection based on a shared love of a subject can last longer than a semester’s class.