It’s hard to think about what will fill up quarantine time when this semester is over; While we hope this is over soon, it doesn’t hurt to plan. Here are some of my tips to stay productive during the summer and try to enjoy your time!
Register for Summer Classes
If you can, and you think that continuing online classes through the summer is an option for you, then do it! Keeping the consistent routine you have now with classes is a great way to pass the time of this quarantine. If you are struggling with keeping up with online classes and are taking them in the summer, make sure you figure out a solution, so you do not end up getting increasingly stressed. Even though it may not feel like it, it is still going to be summer. Maybe try ordering an agenda to keep yourself organized, write down all of the important due dates, and space your work out nicely. Give yourself time to still take summer vacation as a vacation; set out times for yourself to tan by the pool or watch a movie. It’s important to balance academic interests and creative/personal interests.
Make a List of Interests or Hobbies You Never Had the Time to Try
Trying out or learning about new hobbies or topics that you never had the time to participate in is a great way to keep the summer separate from fall and spring. Summer is the largest and best break from all of the chaos during the school/work year. Make a list of topics that you are interested in and find ways to learn about them. Personally, I’ve started this list during quarantine and it has really given me so many things to look forward to. This is a great time to reflect on yourself and set out time for you to do you. Choose the hobbies that you would love to learn about, find books about them, make a vision board, and just do you. Make sure you are trying to get up and keep yourself away from staying in bed all day. Productivity may seem impossible, but it is the only thing that will keep this feeling normal and help the days fly by.
Look Forward to the Next School Semester
You’ve made the list of interests, and did some self-reflection, but what happens when this chaos is over and I’m back in school? Well, the great thing about hobbies and interests is that most of them can be applied to everyday life. I would suggest going onto your University’s or school’s class catalog and list of clubs to see what extra classes you can take or activities you can be involved in. That is the number one way to keep you engaged at school and give you something to look forward to being a part of when this is over!
Make an “Out of Quarantine Bucket List”
I know it sounds childish but making a bucket list is another great way to stop focusing on being in quarantine and start focusing on life out of it. Make a list of the restaurants you miss eating at, the stores you miss shopping at, and the friends you want to see. Giving yourself a little bit of hope in these difficult times is not a bad thing, make yourself happy and keep reminding yourself that this will end eventually, nothing is forever.
My suggestions are just that, suggestions. This is a difficult time and it’s hard to feel motivated and not anxious. I just wanted to remind everyone that taking this time to reflect on yourself, your personal health, your mental health, and everything in between is so extremely important. Make sure that you are keeping yourself safe and everyone around you safe. Do not go outside and please urge others to do the same, this will only end when we all take a step back and listen. I know it is hard, but nothing lasts forever, and this too will pass.
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