COVID-19 has separated family members and friends, even farther than six feet apart.  Without convenient physical means of connection, many Americans felt lonely and disconnected.  Then came the birth of Zoom.  This platform, like Google Meet or Microsoft Teams, is a video chat program that connects with any phone type.  So, the Android-Apple divide was finally solved, and people began to utilize Zoom for a variety of gathering. 

It has even turned into a modern-English verb: zooming (participating in a Zoom video chat).  From weddings to business meetings, Zoom has become a popular tool across the nation and world.  The usage of Zoom in schools became common during the pandemic, but what about regular hangouts? 

Since people aren’t entering others’ homes, a virtual get-together, study group, or craft night is the closest option to the real thing.  In high school, virtual gatherings are especially convenient for this tech-savvy generation.  By gathering some paint and brushes, friend groups can paint together over the phone.  Bringing a dinner plate to the camera can turn the Zoom call into a virtual picnic. 

Tests and quizzes have not stopped in the hybrid return to school, including Patchogue-Medford School District.  So, a helpful and exciting way to prepare for exams can be to gather with friends over a video chat and help each other study.

I put this idea to the test with my friends, Eleanor Hart and Devin Verdugo.  We have AP European History together online, and with an upcoming exam, we decided to put to work three brains- over Zoom, of course. 

We spent the night quizzing each other on prominent figures of the Renaissance and solidifying our knowledge of key concepts.  More than the academic benefit of studying, it was refreshing and fun to spend time with two of my closest friends.  I recommend this virtual activity to anyone who is wanting some quality time with friends or just needs to prepare for an exam. 

The old methods of group studying are not available, and this was such a nice replacement.  I would like to try a craft night next, or a Patchogue Medford Homecoming ideas meeting with my fellow class officers.  Regardless of the purpose of the virtual gathering, this innovative practice can help to bring friends closer together in an isolated time.