Instant messaging is a means of having a quick written conversation with one or more people who are online at the same time. Compared with email, there is less of a time lag in waiting for a response. Messages are likely to be more spontaneous. And it can be anarchic, when several people reply at once.
Instant messaging has its limitations for serious discussion, but you may find it helpful to keep in touch with fellow students. You might 'meet' with other students in your group by arranging a time once a week when you can all be online. It can really help to know that there are others out there with problems similar to your own.
You all need to be using the same software to use this kind of instant messaging. Why not try it out?
