To ensure physical distancing doesn’t mean social disconnection, TEAK has adjusted and adapted to ensure mentors and mentees continue their relationships while they are separated due to the COVID-19 pandemic. As we’re forced to stay apart, mentoring and relationships are more important than ever, especially for students.
Let’s just start out by saying the struggle is real. With more time spent indoors and away from others, finding ways to virtually connect with your mentor, mentee and friends become an activity in itself. But have no fear! We’ve got you covered!
We’ve pulled together some ideas that will help you and your mentee stay connected during this difficult time.
15 Virtual Activity Ideas
1. Creating vision boards with your Mentee – sharing personal and academic/professional goals. This is a great way to kick off the new year and get to know your mentee better.
2. Send craft kits to your mentee to work on a craft together via video chat – try origami or paint this cat planter.
3. Travel the world together – Explore different cultures, food, languages online. One mentor sent her mentee a scratch-off world map and during each call, they learn about another country.
4. Go on a Virtual Road Trip – Share your screen and explore a new part of the world!
5. Play chess, backgammon, and other games online.
6. Skribble.io – multi-player and guessing game to play with friends.
7. Playingcards.io – card games.
8. Twitch Among Us – could be a great small group meet-up with 2-3 Mentors and 2-3 Mentees.
9. Read a book together – or involve another mentor/mentee pair and have a book club!
10. Collaborate on a Spotify or Apple Music playlist.
11. Cooking or baking together via video – It can be something new for you and your mentee to try. Here’s a list of make-at-home meal kits.
12. Virtual movie night and discussing afterward – Netflix Party (a free Chrome extension) that allows you to simultaneously stream Netflix with friends.
13. Virtual drawing or painting class.
14. Delivery dining experience – One Mentor mentioned his mentee never had a specific cuisine so he had the meal delivered to his mentee and himself and they were able to dine together virtually.
15. Virtual Museum Visits from Google Arts & Culture
Also, be sure to check out MENTOR for more tips and resources for virtual mentoring. If you have any other suggestions, please share them in the comments section below.
Learn more about the TEAK Mentorship Program.