Zoom Gloom Is Real — Here's Why

graphic by alexa kroin

Let’s paint a picture. You’re a freshman trying to make some friends during what, as of late, feels like the end of the world. You spend too much alone time cramped in a single room, doing nothing but homework and zoom classes. The only person you’re able to see for five days of the week is your roommate. Obviously, you’re probably starting to feel like you’re missing out. But what really sucks about all this? Simple, you barely get to shit-talk anymore.

At Jerk, we understand how nice it can feel to vent about those especially shitty days. And while we’re sure your roommate(s) is great, they’re probably getting tired of hearing you complain, especially if the two of you don’t click (hey, it happens). Your roommate is not in your classes and hasn’t experienced what you’re going through. We get it. You want to branch out, but Zoom classes are awful for meeting new people. First of all, the app was clearly not meant for anything other than official meetings. It was meant for strictly work (boring), but because of that, the host can either disable the chat function or limit who you talk to. Your choices consist of the professor or the entire class. One on one student conversation is not allowed. How am I supposed to tell someone that I like their room? Or tell them to angle their camera so we can see their adorable puppy? Even if the private chat function is working during your meeting, rumors have been spreading that the meeting hosts can see what you send. How are we supposed to talk shit about how much homework we have if we’re constantly worried that prof will see us complaining?

On a more serious note, the Zoom chat function is intimidating and scares people away from making connections with people. It’s robbing us of being able to talk to people with similar interests, or at all! There’s absolutely no time where students can casually chat before or after class. And for people who claim that breakout rooms work, the forced and strained interaction along with awful awkward silences just really isn’t it. You can barely talk to people about the academic topic, much less befriend them. It can be pretty stressful and isolating for freshmen who already struggle to meet new people.

While it’s frustrating that we can’t make friends as easily in our classes, don’t forget that there are always other chances to find people! Clubs can offer connections that last a lifetime! 

(Pssst, this is me telling you that you need to join Jerk ASAP!)