Hello! please read
this it outlines some specific things about the BBS, dont worry about being online, good luck with your classes!
also there are multiple ways to chat with your fellow dollars, kik,[instagram i think] google hangouts and discord, if you need help finding these, please navigate to 'main' click the 'view all threads' button along the right of the page, and ctrl+f to find a specific thread , ie irc, kik, etc.