Staying connected and active

Despite it being a bit more challenging than usual, there are still plenty of ways you can stay connected with your friends and family as well as ways to stay active and look after your physical health. This page has lots of top tips and suggestions on how to stay connected and active during the distruption caused by COVID-19.

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Recent graduate, Rufaro, talks about what she's learned about balancing her social media activity.

Ways to stay connected

It's really important for our mental wellbeing to stay connected to our friends and family. We've listed some ideas of how to stay connected when you're separated!

  • Video call - we're all very familiar with video calls by now, but it's a great way to see your friends and family. If you would usually meet on a Friday evening, why not schedule in a fortnightly Friday video call?
  • Doing things together, online - video calls can be draining when we're online most of the day. Sometimes it's nice to mix up activities - why not cookalong with your friend on a call? Or watch a Netflix film together? Or maybe a game or virtual hangman or charades!
  • Remember to celebrate - just because you can't have a big birthday party for your friends or family, make sure you still celebrate these special occassions! It could be a quick video call singing happy birthday terribly out of time, or you could create a recorded video message reminscing on all the fun birthdays you've shared together.
  • It's not all video calls - there are more traditional ways to stay in touch with your friends and family. Just a quick message sometimes can help you feel connected without having to have a full video call with someone. You might also want to try even more traditional methods of communication by putting down the phone and picking up a pen to write a letter or postcard.

Staying connected

Connect with clubs and societies

Clubs and societies have the ability to connect you with people across the College with whom you have a shared interest. While clubs and societies are operating remotely at the moment, that isn't stopping them from hosting lots of fun, different and engaging social events.

There are over 340 different clubs and societies you can get involved in at Imperial College Union. If you haven't already, explore the different groups available to you - or start your own club and society!

Join a club or society

Take time for yourself

During 2020 we all become well acquainted with zoom quizzes, TikTok trends and video calls replacing how we would usually socialise with our friends and family. The virtual world has meant that we can stay connected with our loved ones even when we can't physically be together.

However, it's important to remember that you don't have to be constantly available just because the technology enables you to be. An important part of connecting with others is also making sure you have some restorative down time for yourself.

The Kind Mind Series

As part of The Kind Mind Series, one of Imperial's student Counsellors discuss the importance of human connection, and what this now looks like for us as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Watch the Kind Mind Series here

Staying active

Move from home

MoveFromHome

Whether you're studying at home, self-isolating or just heading out less, we're all faced with the challenge of keeping active at the moment. Check out the MoveFromHome campaign to keep yourself moving!

Check out MoveFromHome here

Free 1-2-1 sessions

The Active Lifestyle Team are offering free 1-2-1 fitness sessions. Whether you need a solid 45-minute personal training session or want to sit down and talk about health and fitness goals, the team have got you covered.

Book a 1-2-1 session today

Question marks made out of iced biscuits

12 Days of Fitmass

Join the 12 days of Fitmass challenge, running from 12 - 14 December! Check back here on Saturday 12 September for full details on how to get involved!