“What do you like to do in your free time, outside of school and work?” It’s likely that you’ve been asked this question during an interview. For many, the answer is spending time with family and friends. Most college students don’t have time for much outside of school, work, friends, and family. Oh, how the tables have turned!
Social distancing strategies necessary to combat the COVID-19 pandemic have severely restricted social interactions with family and friends. Quarantine is a jarring lifestyle change for many, especially college students forced to evacuate their campuses. What can students do to adjust to the realities of this crisis, now that norms of school, work, and interactions with family and friends have turned upside down? Here are some ideas for activities or hobbies to manage stress and anxiety during the quarantine.
1. Get Cooking
If you haven’t already wasted hours of your life stalking Tasty’s social media pages, welcome to the mesmerizing world of Tasty recipe videos. From spaghetti pie to pancake quesadillas to avocado egg rolls, there’s something for all tastes, diet plans, and budgets. Cooking is a great way to stay indoors, practice a new skill, and have some fun!
2. Get Crafty
A DIY project can be a great way to feel a sense of productivity and accomplishment and relieve stress. Plus, you can get creative without leaving the house or breaking the bank. If you’re among those that evacuated apartments and campus dorms, make the project extra therapeutic and create something for your living space when you move back.
3. Get Organized
Even the neatest people have a junk drawer or some stuff piling up in a closet somewhere. Cleaning can be a great way to feel a sense of control in a time of so much uncertainty. Purge some old clothes to donate, vacuum your car, organize your playlists, clean your makeup brushes…any odd job that’s been hanging around your to-do list.
4. Get Giving
Being self-quarantined in the midst of a worldwide crisis can feel helpless. Even if you have little financial resources to spare, there are many ways to lend support. Explore options to connect with others in need online, such as remote tutoring. Get involved with local volunteer organizations that support the elderly or other vulnerable community members. Many volunteer organizations are facing disruptions due to the pandemic, including the American Red Cross blood drives. Officials are urging healthy people to donate blood, as concerns are growing about the shortage of donors and blood supply.
Stay inside, stay healthy, get going with some activities and if you need any cash to get through, download the Boro app now and get cash in your account in as little as two days.