Shelter-in-place does not defeat students despite isolation obstacles
June 25, 2020
This might be an unpopular opinion, but…we don’t like the coronavirus. Very controversial, but it’s where we land on this.
We can all agree that the coronavirus is a bad thing. But how can students deal with this crisis? What is the best way to confront seemingly endless social distancing, isolation, and boredom? We believe that a healthy mix of exercise, social interaction, and productivity is a good remedy to the apathy and boredom that lingers throughout these months of COVID-19.
When you’re up until two every night for a week playing video games, maybe it’s time to reconsider your sleep schedule. It’s very easy to get trapped in a cycle of poor sleep habits. A consistent routine is necessary in order to maintain a positive mental state. In addition to good sleep, daily exercise helps to alleviate some of the stresses associated with isolation. Get moving, go for a run, lift some weights, do something to get your blood pumping.
In addition to physical health, one’s mental health can be supported through interactions with others. We’ve all heard that humans are social animals. We simply do not function at a stable level without the support of others. If you get that social interaction by playing video games online with your friends, then do that. Just make sure you spend at least an hour a day with others. Don’t isolate yourself from society. Reach out to someone you haven’t seen in a while, keep up with your friends, collaborate on a project, just make sure you’re getting your daily dose of social interaction. A fun activity that we have found is an online Jackbox. tv games, which function as a virtual Cards Against Humanity.
Lastly, make sure you’re doing something productive with your time. Focus on some activity in order to stay sane. Learn a musical instrument, write a story, paint something, read a book, make some attempt in order to better yourself as a person. You have been given an amazing opportunity to turn yourself into someone better. You have weeks at home, doing nothing, stewing in your old boredom. There are no sports to watch, little homework to do, and a few new shows in production. Don’t just sit on your couch watching TikTok. Don’t just lay on your back with a controller in your hand snacking on Hot Cheetos, trying to pass the time. Use this time to turn yourself into someone better.
And lastly, do your homework, stay involved in school as much as possible. Don’t let your grades drop off the edge of a cliff. Check in with your teachers, keep your eye on Schoology, and avoid cheating. You’ll be better off for it.
Stay in shape, continue talking to others, keep yourself occupied with something that improves you as a person, and keep up with school work.
You’ll come out of this isolation in better condition than you started, and will be prepared for the next life-changing event that unexpectedly comes our way.