When times are tough, we look for someone to have our back. For someone we can turn to when we need to express how we are feeling. For someone to hold our hand or make us smile. Because we are pre-designed to live in a society, to be in contact with those around us, we are always looking to form support systems that will keep us going. We need to have that one person–or that group of people–who is able to understand us and motivate us to keep going no matter what the circumstances are. Support systems can be extremely helpful.

Support systems are not limited to our personal life. We need to have one as we experience our years in college because it will not always be a smooth ride. Normally, we would confide in those classmates who became friends. Spend time between classes hanging out with them and forgetting how tough life can get. However, as the learning experience changed in the last few months, these kinds of connections were not easy to form. The vast majority of students continue their classes online and are unable to be in touch with their friends, with the people who pushed them to stay motivated and inspired.

Knowing how to connect with your classmates to form a support system while everything is done online can be extremely hard. Nevertheless, you should try to establish a relationship with them in order to have a group of people behind you who will be there when you feel like giving up. For that reason, here are three ways to build your system up:

1.       Reach out When Help is Needed

Because everything is done online, communication with your peers can be easier. If you feel like your class has become overwhelming or you are unable to cope with the current situation, do not hesitate to reach out to your classmates. A short text asking for advice or wondering how they are coping with the circumstances might lead to an unexpected friendship. These bonds we build over shared experiences are guaranteed to last a long period of time. Your support system is on the other side of the screen, experiencing the same uncertain feeling.

2.Try to Contact Classmates in Need

When you are in class–even if it is done through Zoom–or reading your classmates’ comments, it is easy to tell when someone is struggling. If you notice this is happening with one of your fellow students, contact them outside of an online classroom setting and let them know you are there for them. Sometimes receiving a message out of the blue asking if we are okay is all we need to connect with our inspiration and keep going. Do not be afraid to reach out to classmates in need; we all appreciate it from time to time.

3.       Form Groups

A sense of community is usually extremely helpful in times of need. Knowing you are not alone and there are others experiencing a situation like you are, can be a relief. If you are struggling or notice one of your classmates is struggling, create a group chat to connect with others. Having a group to talk to, send memes to, and even play games online with, is a great resource right now. Going through tough times with others makes everything a little bit easier to cope with.

Although we all deal with the circumstances in our own way, it is always helpful to have a support system. Knowing you will not be facing the next few months alone, can help deal with anxiety and stress. Do not hesitate to reach out to your classmates if you are struggling or notice they are. It is time we encourage each other to create support systems among classmates.

Want to become a Noodle contributor? Email: contributor@noodle.com