#student tips
Alright folks. So, if you’re in the same boat that I am - which is out of a job (we got laid off because restaurants in Texas were mandated to close dine-in services), worried about getting your bills paid because you lost your aforementioned job, on extended spring break and not returning to campus at all this semester, deeply concerned about all of your classes moving to an online format, and practicing social distancing - you are most likely feeling unproductive and bored out of your skull.
Here are some activities that have helped me:
- Self care. It is amazing how much better you feel when you are clean, smell good, and you are wearing a fresh pair of clothes.
- Doingsomething artistic, if you feel so inclined/have the materials to do so. For me, this has been getting back into painting and playing my violin
- Spending time with your pets.
- Spending time on your balcony/front porch, appreciating nature. This activity pairs very well with a cup of coffee or tea.
- Taking this time to deep clean your house/apartment.
- Face-timing/calling friends and family who are probably feeling the same way that you are.
- If you are someone that wears make-up and enjoys make-up, absolutely feel free to get glammed up, even if it is just to watch Netflix. You aren’t wasting make-up if it makes you feel better about your situation.
- Listen to music. I have rediscovered my love for Prince this week.
- Learn how you can elevate your quarantine meals viaSupercook - which is a free website that tells you what dishes you can make with ingredients you have in your kitchen. Personally, I am coming out of this quarantine a home chef.
- Ask your friends/family what shows they are streaming. I have finished so many shows over the course of the last couple of days, and without recommendations I would be so incredibly bored. Would definitely recommend Tiger King on Netflix, by the way. That documentary was quite the trip. I would also recommend Schitt’s Creek and The Stranger.
- Give in to Duolingo’s constant notifications and practice learning a new language!
- Read some of those books you may have lying around, or re-read an old favorite.
- File for unemployment if need be. It wasn’t too difficult for me personally; there should be an option to indicate that you lost your job due to COVID-19. This is the case for Texas.
- Take this time to get ahead on course material, even if your online course schedule is tentative.
- Feel free to catch up on sleep.It’s okay to rest and not be doing something 100% productive 24/7.
That’s all for now folks. Keep your heads up, stay the home for the love of god, and just do your best. We will get through this ordeal.
How are y’all coping this week?
-Erin
What can you write in a journal for mental health?
Recently I was looking for some stickers and I found a tiny journal. I’m thinking of using it for mental health purposes.
These are the things I’ll write in it:
- Quotes that I find very motivational
- Moments from books that inspire me.
- Reasons why I like myself
- Reasons why others like me
- How I have improved my life with tiny changes
- Short plans on how to achieve certain goals or how to change things
- Bucket lists~
- Things that make me happy
- Character analysis for characters that inspire me and what traits I want to adopt from them
- Stuff that my friends said and they stuck with me over the years, motivational or just compliments
- My favorite coping mechanisms
- Compliments/encouraging words towards my person when I feel like giving up or when my self-esteem is down
There are no rules on when to be productive.
If you cannot function in the morning
You can do your work, homework, chores, etc. at 3am
You can go grocery shopping at 11:29pm on a thursday
You can shower, make your bed, brush your teeth at 3pm
You can write an essay in your bed at 9pm and go to bed at 1am
Don’t force yourself to wake up at 5am to be productive and then think the day’s ruined when you wake at noon
Doing something in a weird way is still doing something
