Summer is usually filled with sunny beach days and cookouts with friends, but this summer is quite different, as we must maintain social distancing for the sake of our health and others. Luckily, we live in a world full of technology that allows us to stay connected with the people we love. And, as Texas State students, you get free access to amazing tools like Zoom.
We’re living amid a global pandemic, and one of the most important aspects to keep in mind is our mental health. Whether it’s because you can’t be with your friends or because you’re stuck looking at the same four walls all day, everyone is adjusting to this “new normal.” The simplest and easiest way to boost your mental health and maintain a sense of normalcy during this time is to just talk, hang out, and connect with the people that you love.
With Zoom, you can set up meetings with anyone you want, even if they don’t have a Texas State account! Here are some of my favorite functions to make your hangout interactive:
- Android or iPhone/iPad – Zoom is available to use on your phone, so video chatting your friends and family who may not have FaceTime is super easy. The call can be made up of a mix of desktop and phone users.
- Schedule a Recurring Meeting – Make sure you stay connected with your family or with a certain group of friends by scheduling a bi-weekly meeting. I enjoy this feature because it serves as a little reminder to slow down and catch up, and I don’t have to manually schedule something every time. My family enjoys meeting every other Friday after work, which is a great way to decompress and get the weekend started.
- Share a Whiteboard – Me and my friends love using the whiteboard to play draw each other pictures or share our summer to-do lists.
- Polling – Polls are a super cool feature to get the entire group involved. My favorite thing to do with polls is plan future road trip locations with friends or check in with the group and see how they’re feeling.
There’s so much you can do with Zoom and ITAC is here to help you get access to your account and learn how to take full advantage of the program. Check out our previous blog regarding Zoom best practices.
Faith Francke is a senior majoring in photography and a student employee in the IT Assistance Center.
