London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine

Hello everyone, I’m Sonia Colianni, and I graduated in November 2024 after completing in two years the distance learning Master of Science program in Public Health at LSHTM.

While my experience as a distance learner has been incredible due to the flexibility of studying from home, one downside to remote courses at any institution is the lack of face-to-face contact. This can lead to reduced motivation and slow down your progress, possibly delaying completion of your studies. Technology can be a double-edged sword, don’t you think?

The solution to the challenges created by technology lies in technology itself. We have many social media platforms and communication tools to connect with our LSHTM colleagues, but have you tried LSHTM Connect?

LSHTM Connect helps bridge the gap in social interaction for remote learners. However, it’s not just for distance learners—but to the entire LSHTM community of students, staff and alumni.

LSHTM Connect’s functionality

I discovered LSHTM Connect during my second year of study. I remember being extremely curious about how it works and whether it was truly effective in connecting students and alumni on one platform. The platform is very intuitive and easy to use. First, you’ll need to register with the email address where you’d like to receive notifications from the platform. Once you’ve signed up, you can personalize your profile with a photo and details about your professional role and areas of interest. This makes it easier for others with similar interests or roles to find you. On the left side of the screen, you’ll find several pages to explore.

Personally, I’ve found the job section especially useful as I’m currently seeking a new position. Here, you can find job postings from both community members and the LSHTM career service. LSHTM Connect is a unique channel for learning about interesting vacancies you might miss if you weren’t part of the community. Another section I love is the “Groups” feature. Have you ever thought that there might be LSHTM colleagues living in your country, city, or local area that you can connect with virtually or even meet in person? Although digital platforms are great, we can’t overlook the value of in-person meetings, and that’s what makes groups of LSHTM Connect so useful. If there isn’t a group for your region yet, create one! I’m sure many other colleagues nearby will join, and you could even arrange a local meet-up.

Aside from in-person meetings, groups are also a great place to post content that’s relevant to specific audiences. This could be useful for raising awareness about local issues, promoting regional activities, or encouraging participation in local events. Another great feature is direct messaging. If you want to connect with someone personally, you can send them a message. I’ve expanded my network exponentially this way, and I’ve met many LSHTM colleagues from all over the world.

LSHTM Connect offers these and many more features waiting for you to explore. So, what are you waiting for? If you are hesitant to step out of your comfort zone, break the ice by connecting with me—I’m looking forward to your message, dear colleague!

A few final tips

1. Don’t be afraid to step outside your comfort zone! You’re amazing, and many LSHTM colleagues are eager to hear from you, learn about your incredible work, and support your efforts to improve people’s health.
2. When you’re feeling demotivated, sad, or overwhelmed, don’t hesitate to reach out. Many LSHTM colleagues are ready to encourage you and help you stay focused on your dreams.
3. When you achieve something, no matter how big or small, don’t be shy about sharing it. There’s a whole LSHTM community waiting to congratulate you and celebrate your triumphs.
4. Never be afraid to connect—ever