Nearly every student across the country right now is working virtually from home. From freshmen who were just getting the hang of their first year, to seniors who didn’t know their time in the classroom was ending abruptly. It would be easy to fall into a doomsday slump, but with this new-found down time, we have the opportunity to learn, build relationships, and even plan for where we’re heading.
10 ways to make the most of quarantine as a college student:
Stay on top of your virtual learning courses
Although it feels like school is out, it is not. Especially for underclassmen who want to maintain a good GPA for future scholarships, this is not a time to slack off. Professors are no longer in-person to remind you of upcoming dates, so make sure to do what you need (write in a planner, put reminders in your google calendar) to be responsible and stay on top of your assignments.
Do a thorough spring cleaning
This is a season of unexpected change! Within the past couple of weeks, maybe you packed up all your belongings to move out of your dorm, or maybe you’re still living on campus. Either way, as your life looks a little different and summer heads our way, a good use of your extra time is to do a thorough spring cleaning! Before you unpack all your boxes back home, ask yourself, “Do I need this? Do I wear this? Do I use this?” and if you answer no, get rid of it!
Refresh your resume
Graduating? Almost done with your sophomore year? Either way, you probably have things to add to your resume! Did you participate in sports, or lead a school organization? Use what you have accomplished this last year to spruce up your credentials. And remember, your professors are still virtually available, so use them to help review resumes, cover letters, and job applications while they are still only an email away.
Enjoy time with family
Forced time at home is the perfect time to reconnect with your family. Being at college, your focus is on school, maybe a part time job, and fun with friends. Use this time at home to take some intentional time to reconnect with siblings and guardians!
Learn something new
Let’s face it, college did not and could not teach us everything. Some of us never learned how to cook a meal or do our laundry (correctly, anyway). Luckily, there are tons of free trial options for learning new skills such as cooking, speaking Spanish, or even dog training. If you want to learn from the expert on a specific subject, check out MasterClass . Lastly, as basic as it is, Youtube, really can teach you anything.
Work out
Workouts are one of those things we always push off saying “we don’t have enough time”, but now with an abundance of time there is no excuse. There are all types of workouts that can be done from the comfort of your home including yoga, strength training, and cardio. There are plenty of free trials to try out that offer all kinds of workouts.
Use technology to stay connected
There are so many options for staying connected with people in this time of social distancing. Jump on Facetime with friends, use Zoom calls to stay updated with work, and even bond on Spotify by sharing your favorite quarantine playlists.
Watch Comedy Specials
In a time of panic, you might not find yourself laughing as much naturally. Now would be a good time to watch some Netflix Comedy Specials, find a humorous podcast, (or any funny movie, show, or special) to make sure you get some good laughs in during your time home.
Find Peaceful Practices
Another important aspect of remaining motivated while social – distancing is to find peaceful practices. Practicing peace could look like a variety of things, but here are a few examples to get you started:
- Meditating on scripture
- Listening to calming music, or create a playlist
- Become a plant parent
Being intentional to create peaceful and mindful moments throughout your day can help establish routine and take care of your emotional and mental health.
Set new goals
No time like the present to begin thinking about where you are heading. What are you passionate about? What is something challenging you can try? Where do you see yourself in 5 years and what’s the next step to getting there? Take time to write out a few goals for the rest of the year. Or, if you already set goals for the year, take time to evaluate where you are at with them.
Try out these 10 ways of making the most of quarantine and you will come out of it refreshed and ready for what’s next!
