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IMPACT
The University of Mississippi

Virtual Engagement and Activities

Looking for something to do as a break from classes or as a way to enhance some of your time away from campus? Here are some potential ideas to keep you entertained and engaged. 

Virtual Classes

Lunch Doodles with Mo Willems! Join Kennedy Center Education Artist-in-Residence at Home for a live daily doodle lesson at Noon CST. Videos will be available after live on the Kennedy Center YouTube channel.

Join the McHarper Manor weekdays on Facebook for a daily art project tutorial. Art projects will range from watercolor paintings to chalk art to canvas painting and will take place live at Noon CST. Videos will be available after the live class on the McHarper Manor Facebook page.

Missing group fitness classes or going to the gym?

  • Make sure to check out what is going on with Ole Miss Campus Recreation! Our Campus Rec Department has put together some amazing resources for students.
  • Check out the Planet Fitness Facebook page for live-streamed daily workouts several times a day.
  • Is Yoga more your thing? Check out CorePower Yoga to keep up your practice from the comfort of your living room.
  • 305 Fitness Known for making cardio into a dance party, 305 Fitness has about 20 free classes on its YouTube channel while its studios are closed.
  • Studio Three takes a unique approach in combining cycling, yoga and interval training in the same gym. While its two Chicago locations are closed, the gym is hosting classes on Instagram Live multiple times during the day, typically in the morning, during the lunch hour and early evening. If you miss a session, the workouts are available for playback on the app.
  • Golds Gym is offering free access to its app, Goldsamp, until the end of May, where more than 600 audio and video workouts along with DJ mixes get you ready to work up a sweat.
  • Or join Colorado fitness professional Alex Vaughan for live dance classes through their YouTube channel Zook Dance Fitness or learn a routine for a specific song from the previously recorded videos.

For an introduction to mindfulness meditation that you can practice on your own, visit UCLA Health for downloadable guided meditations in both English and Spanish.

Interested in taking a free elective from an Ivy League to enhance your current learning? Check out the 450 classes being offered online here.

Volunteer From Home

You can still put some good out into the world from your couch, from your computer or from your mobile device.

  • Multilingual students can serve as webpage translators, empathetic listeners can volunteer with 7 Cups, and sighted students can download Be My Eyes to lend a hand — or, eye — to blind and visually-impaired.
  • You can find more opportunities below.
  • Plus, the local non-profit groups that you usually partner with and philanthropies that student organizations support may also appreciate virtual help. Reach out to see how you can continue supporting their work, if possible.

Virtual Tours and Museums 

Experience the best museums from NYC to France to Seoul in the comfort of your own home. Check out these sites to go on virtual tours of different museums and specific exhibits.

Check out some cool places around the world from National Parks to National Landmarks.

Animal Webcams 

Lions, tigers and bears, oh my! Just want a cute and cuddly distraction? Check out several different animal live cam options from watching silly sea otters and curious elephants or just mellow out to the hypnotic drifting jellyfish. 

Connect Virtually

  • Did you know students, staff, and faculty have free access to video conferencing with Zoom? This is a great way to “meet up” with your friends, classmates, and student organization members. Check out our tips for utilizing Zoom. 
    • This is not only a great way to participate in calls for class, but is a great way to continue having student organization meetings.

More Fun Things To Do

University of Mississippi Coronavirus Updates and Resources

The University of Mississippi is continuously updating its information and guidance for the university community to address the changing status of COVID-19. Please visit the university’s website for more information about COVID-19 and its impacts to UM, precautions that are being taken, prevention measures you can take and a compilation of frequently asked questions.

Questions about this page or have other ideas you think we should add? Contact Will Takewell at wct@olemiss.edu.

Thank you to Colorado University Boulder and the University of Houston for sharing many of these great ideas for virtual activities and programs. Please note that the University of Mississippi does not own or oversee any of the above sites or resources. Please reach out to Will Takewell if any of the links are broken or are no longer active.