Are you lonesome tonight?

Photo by Markus Spiske on Unsplash

In this time of social isolation, it can seem that even when we are with other people, we are still so alone.

In the classroom, students are separated by empty seats and wearing masks or they are separated by modality with some in the classroom and some online. If the classroom experience is not synchronous, students report that they are mostly on their own to watch videos and participate in discussions or assignments. Instructors are missing the thrill of seeing students learn, encouraging active discussions, and drawing out student experiences related to the content at hand. It is much more challenging to learn student names when you only see the top half of their faces or a black square on Zoom. Even with some of the technological solutions we are using to support online and hybrid learning, we are all struggling with feeling lonesome.

The impact of loneliness and social isolation

Research shows that there is a connection between loneliness and poor mental and physical health*. One article suggestions ways to manage loneliness (with my added thoughts about how this relates to education):

• Keep a schedule — as an instructor, provide your students with due dates and a regular routine; encourage students to use a planner and map out activities, then stick to a regular schedule of eating, working, studying, exercising, sleeping, and connecting with other people.
• Stay informed — send out weekly announcements on a consistent basis to let students know what is expected for the week; take this opportunity to be human (one instructor shared her “messages from the home office” announcements that include a paragraph about what is going on in her life).
• Stay active — get up and move around during the day, take breaks in Zoom, get outside, practice yoga, run, walk, or take other breaks to get away from being sedentary.
• Do something meaningful — find something to do that regularly helps you feel a sense of purpose; put in regular time each day toward accomplishing your goal. Learn something new, try a new recipe, reach out to a student who might be struggling, text a colleague, etc.
• Connect with others — Take opportunities to connect, no matter how small; for example, text someone a quick hello, start your Zoom meeting a few minutes early to spend time socializing with anyone who arrives early, or send a message checking in on a student who did not come to class.
• Find sources of comfort — Ask students what they have done for themselves that week, wear fuzzy socks during your Zoom meeting, use aromatherapy, or learn how to cook healthy comfort food recipes.
• Create something — beyond creating something yourself, find ways to have your students create something as a part of the learning experience. If your students are completing an interview as an assignment, give them the option to create a podcast instead of writing a report.
• Distract yourself — take breaks for something fun! Break up a long class session with a fun YouTube video, memes, jokes, or music. Encourage your students to share their distractions before getting back to the learning.
• Plan for the future — encourage students to think about what they will do next semester, plan ahead for an event or activity, consider how your teaching will change after the pandemic (what will you keep, what will you improve, what will you enjoy again).
• Practice self-compassion (and compassion for others) — accept your feelings and recognize the need for flexibility, agility, and grace. It’s important to hold students accountable, but also recognize that we are all under extreme stress and talk to your students about their lives and challenges.

How are you supporting your students and managing loneliness? Check out Steven Mintz’s article in Inside Higher Ed for more ideas about how to improve your online course by building personal connections, motivating students, creating community, and supporting students online.

*Leigh-Hunt N, Bagguley D, Bash K, et al. An overview of systematic reviews on the public health consequences of social isolation and loneliness. Public Health. 2017;152:157–171. doi:10.1016/j.puhe.2017.07.035