A common, and very valid, complaint against Distance Learning is the lack of “socialization”. (if you are a homeschooler, you are used to this complaint!) As a student learning from home, you are not a typical college student. You don’t have professors or classmates in the same way that other students have, and, to be perfectly honest, it can get lonely! You need someone who understands what a CLEP exam is, what a DSST is, and why on earth you don’t have a GPA. Here are some ideas for finding friends…
Join a Forum
Join the Degree Forum for test help and some other distance student fellowship (I’m on there, the Uncommon Student). If you are a CollegePlus student, get involved with the CP forum. They have great stuff on tests, and a lot of fun tests. For fellow Reformed students, a lot of great theological debates go on that are fun to read.
Take Local Classes
Add some course work in from your local community college. They are usually very affordable, and if you have a good ACT score, you might get a scholarship for some courses. These students won’t be Distance Students, but they can become friends.
Ask Your Test Proctor
Ask your test proctor if there are any students they know who might be willing to meet you. Most of my friends take tests at the place I do, and I have a new friend thanks to my proctor. Be bold and just ask. You never know!
Start a Blog
Get a little wordpress or blogger blog and just start journaling your college journey. I added the link to my blog to my email signature and slowly… very slowly… more and more people are reading my blog now! A great way to network!
Get a Job/Join a Team
Not all your friends have to be in college at all, and not all your friends have to be found in an academic setting. Go get a job at Chick-fil-A or join a soccer team. I have many friends doing both of those. It builds comradery and builds great friendships.
Be unique in how you find friends… you never know where God will take you!