These Zoom activities provide some much-needed social interaction

By Noor Memarzadeh, Staff Writer

Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, many students have struggled to find ways to replicate the frequent social interactions they previously enjoyed. This has proven problematic for many because of the central role social interaction plays in the mental health of teenagers. On the bright side, many have found ways to have enjoyable times with their friends in a safe manner. Here are some of the best virtual activities to do when you and your friends are struggling to find something exciting but safe to do:

Zoom a Movie

Zooming a movie with your friends is probably one of the easiest and most amusing examples of a safe Zoom night. It replicates the thrill of going to the movies with your friends from the comfort of your own home. You can even talk to your friends while watching or pause the movie when needed. Nikki Soroushyari (’24) has had multiple movie nights with her friends and says this is one of her favorite Zoom night activities. 

“Even though we can't see friends in person and watch a movie at the movie theatre, recreating it through Zoom while screen sharing is the best alternative,” Soroushyari said.

Zoom Workout Session

A more productive Zoom activity to do with your friends is working out together over the virtual platform. An upside to working out at home is having access to non-traditional workout classes. Moreover, by taking a virtual class, you don't need to deal with the hassle of finding a specific gym or class near you. Another great bonus of taking an online workout class is that contrary to in-person ones, online ones are almost always free. Shania Ghassemi (’23) decided to do a workout video with one of her friends and loved it.

“Taking a Zoom exercise class with one of my friends was a great experience! Not only was I in the comfort of my own home, but I got to do it with a friend which was very fun and motivating, especially considering our current situation,” Ghassemi said. 

Zoom Powerpoint Night

Another more unique Zoom night activity is a power point night. In short, you and your friends each choose an interesting or funny topic, create a powerpoint about that subject and each present what you made. This is a great idea because you can be creative and pick funny topics or ones that specifically apply to your friend group. Danica Chumley (’23) has participated in a powerpoint night and explains that it brought a sense of interaction and enjoyment during times of isolation.

“We were all able to participate and have a few laughs together which made it a great activity for Zoom. I feel that it's a great way to safely spend time with friends and family through these times,” Chumley said. 

This idea is good for those who want a more interactive and creative activity.

Virtual Music Workshop

Signing up for a music workshop with a friend is another fulfilling yet entertaining Zoom idea. No matter what instrument you play, there's always something to sign up for, and taking a class with friends makes it even more enjoyable. Ryan Kashanchi (’21) plays the piano and has decided to partake in online piano/musical workshops during quarantine. 

“Joining a music workshop is a good idea since it allows you to really zone in on your music studies and also share your progress with peers. For me, being able to see what pieces friends are playing is super fun, and I’m always proud about how much we’ve all improved since the time before,” Kashanchi said.