College is a time of learning, growing, and being one step closer to that thing known as “adulting.” While earning a degree is the overarching goal of these formative years, college students still need to have a little fun!
With technology transforming the way students are able to connect with their professors and peers, event planners must also capitalize on virtual events to ensure college students stay socially stimulated and safe.
Luckily, there are tons of virtual college events that can cultivate connections among students. Let’s take a look at 15 fun online events for college students.
#1 Netflix and Critique
Most college students are already well-versed in the art of Netflix and Chill. You can build upon this popular pastime by hosting a virtual “Netflix and Critique” event.
All you have to do is encourage the movie buffs to tune into a popular film on Netflix and send out a Zoom after-party invitation. At the event, students can share their thoughts on the movie, whether that’s a basic Rotten-Tomatoes-style rating or a detailed social critique of its deeper themes.
#2 TED Talk Webinar
TED Talks are inspirational videos where keynote speakers share their expertise and motivational messages. TED Talks are a perfect event to put on as a webinar.
To host a TED Talk webinar, the first step is finding the right keynote speaker. You can find speakers from a variety of industries on GigSalad. Hire an industry leader to share their inspirational insights in a webinar format.
To enhance the engagement of your virtual TED Talk, allow students to submit questions for the Q&A section at the end. This way, they can glean a greater sense of connection from the event.
#3 Monthly Wellness Seminars
Coping with the stress of college can be tough—throw in social and political tribulations and it’s only natural that some students may be struggling.
You can support your student body by setting up monthly streamable seminars that explore various health and wellness topics, such as:
- Meditation
- Journaling
- Stress management techniques
- Online therapy sessions
As students tune into these seminars, they can pick up helpful tips and tricks to enhance their health and well-being.
#4 TikTok Competitions
TikTok has taken over the social media sphere by storm, especially for college-aged Gen Zs. You can spark your students’ creativity and sense of community by setting up a TikTok challenge just for your university.
To get the ball rolling, send out an event invitation detailing the TikTok challenge’s guidelines. After that, make sure all participants post their TikTok videos using a special university hashtag. Once the submissions are in, ask everyone to vote for their top TikTok online. Then, award the winner with a prize—whether that’s a gift card to the student union’s many delicious eateries or a new laptop to complete their homework.
#5 Fun At-Home Workouts
Since many gyms and fitness classes are online, some students may prefer to work out from home. Make it easy for your student body to stay healthy by offering fun virtual fitness classes.
Zumba, yoga, and equipment-free bodyweight workouts are a few fun virtual event ideas that can get students moving. If you need help finding quality virtual fitness instructors, the GigSalad marketplace has you covered.
#6 Freshman Mixers
Incoming freshmen often need a little extra social support as they get acclimated to college life, especially when so much of it is taking place online.
To prevent these new students from feeling socially isolated, set up virtual freshman meetups. During these events, you can pair incoming freshmen with older students at your university.
You can even provide the freshman with a few icebreakers to get the online discussion rolling, such as:
- “What’s your favorite thing about our university?”
- “What clubs or organizations are you a part of?”
- “Which classes have been your favorite so far?”
- “What are your top tips for succeeding in college?”
#7 At-Home Master Chef
College students aren’t known for their culinary skills—many live on microwavable ramen and Hot Pockets. Without the cafeteria or on-campus cafes to rely on, some students may be in dire need of some cooking tips.
You can turn this need into a fun virtual college event by offering an online cooking class. Just find a personal chef on GigSalad who can prepare a few easy recipes and break them down for students step by step.
Don’t forget to prompt participants to share their culinary creations online using a university-specific hashtag.
#8 Pet Photo Contest
If there’s one thing that’s gotten many people through the pandemic, it’s their furry friends. Many students probably attend their online classes and study sessions with pets by their sides.
Let these proud pet parents show off their pride and joys with a fun photo contest. All you have to do is set up a creative Instagram hashtag or Facebook group so everyone can view each others’ posts. After that, encourage participants to vote for their favorite pet photo.
Then, feature the top 12 winners on an annual calendar or send canine champions a goodie basket of tasty treats and fun toys.
#9 Adulting 101 Series
College serves as a bridge between adolescence and adulthood. In turn, many college students may be anxious about entering the “real world.”
You can help these students establish confidence by offering a weekly Adulting 101 series. This series can cover a variety of practical topics that aren’t always covered in school, such as:
- Banking
- Budgeting and saving
- Investing and retirement accounts
- Building credit scores
- Applying for apartments, loans, and credit cards
- Paying off student loans
- Filing taxes
- Buying insurance
#10 Podcasting Parties
Podcasts have been popularized in recent years by big names like Joe Rogan, Jason Bateman, and Emily Bazelon. There’s a podcast for nearly every topic under the sun, from politics to reality TV. People enjoy listening to podcasts because they can instill an otherwise mundane work commute or afternoon of chores with some entertainment and intellectual stimulation.
Many people are making real money from podcasting, too. Why not give your students a chance to get in on the action? All they have to do is get into small groups and host Zoom podcasting parties where they discuss fun topics.
Once they’ve recorded their episodes, you can release them on your university website. Not only will other students enjoy tuning into these conversations, but the participants can learn a valuable skill set that may serve them later on in their careers.
#11 Alumni Networking Events
Speaking of older students, alumni have a lot of wisdom to share as well. This makes them an ideal group to engage in your online events.
Alumni can serve as an invaluable resource for students who are looking for internships, new jobs, or advice about various industries.
The benefit of going virtual for alumni events? Rather than being limited to alumni who still live in your university’s local vicinity, you can invite people from across the world. This global network can better serve students who want to expand their horizons after graduation.
#12 Resume and Cover Letter Writing Classes
Once students receive some career insight from alumni, they may be motivated to apply for an internship or entry-level job. However, compiling a resume and cover letter can be tricky for first-timers.
Give your students the tools they’ll need to succeed by setting up an online resume and cover letter writing class. This class can break down the best practices for putting together a polished job application.
#13 Holiday Celebrations
Time is precious and we should always find a reason to celebrate, especially when bogged down by research projects and mid-term papers.
Luckily, there’s a national holiday nearly every day of the year! Just check out a few of these fun examples:
- Pizza Day (February 9th)
- Scavenger Hunt Day (May 24th)
- Video Games Day (September 12th)
- Nachos Day (November 6th)
- Ugly Sweater Day (December 17th)
You can use a few of these off-shoot holidays to inspire themed virtual college events. It’s the perfect excuse to bring students together and lift everyone’s spirits with a bit of silly holiday cheer.
#14 What’s Your Type?
Many universities and workplaces administer the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI®) test. This personality test gives people a deeper understanding of their own personalities, preferences, and optimal career paths.
You can turn this popular personality test into an enlightening virtual event. Just have an MBTI expert review how this test works over Zoom. Once students take the test and find out their types, you can place them into type-specific Zoom breakout rooms.
In these groups, students can discuss what it’s like to be their specific personality types and see how their career goals compare.
#15 Hot Topics Debate Club
College students are often in the process of exploring different perspectives. Give them a chance to flex their critical thinking muscles and learn from others with a “Hot Topics” virtual event.
Simply select a thought-provoking topic to discuss and debate, whether it’s related to current news stories or historical events. After that, allow students to offer their input and analyze the topic from a variety of angles.
🏫 You might also like: 20 Great Event Ideas for College Students
Host Your Next Virtual College Event With GigSalad
As you can see, the options for online college events are endless. With a little creativity and the right technology, anything is possible.
Need some assistance putting your favorite event ideas into action? GigSalad can help. Our marketplace can connect you with the perfect keynote speaker, virtual fitness instructor, or online chef for your next event.
Sonia is a Customer Happiness Agent at GigSalad and uses the knowledge she’s gained from helping both the vendor and client through the booking process to give her best event planning advice. When she’s not at work she enjoys the outdoors, a good book, trying new recipes, and spending quality time with her husband and their furbabies.