Hi everyone! I hope you are all doing well and staying safe.
Since I last posted many changes have happened in our world that have surely affected us all in one way or another. With everyone trying to lessen the curve with the COVID-19 outbreak, many things have been cancelled, shut down, or have limited hours. I don’t think anyone had expected this or thought it would get this intense. Many schools have even closed down and switched to online-based classes.
For myself, my college has been closed down for over a week and I am now having to do remote learning. I will say the transition hasn’t been easy, but not as bad as others at my school. Since I’m a commuter, I already lived at my house so there was no need to go and pack up all my belongings in a dorm room. I also don’t have to waste time driving to school everyday; I now just walk 30 feet to my kitchen table and boom I’m at school.
However I am not the only one in my house doing school work. My brother is also home with me since his school has also been closed for the mean time. My mother works at a school too and she too is home and working remotely. My father however can still go to work because he is essential to his company. I don’t know how long that will last, but if he is sent home I hope he can work because his income is very important in helping sustain my family. And well for my dog, he’s seen no change. Luckily everyone is doing well and staying healthy. We just hope it can stay that way.
Nothing has changed a whole lot in my household; we are still doing our daily routine. I still wake up, get ready, eat, and do a bunch of homework. It’s sort of like a really long spring break except I can’t go anywhere fun like restaurants or stores, or see anybody. Lets just say Face Time has become the new norm along with the home phone ringing every 30 minutes. Also try celebrating your birthday in quarantine; you really have to get creative.
What I don’t like however is the amount of work I am getting. I understand that school needs to continue and now with no more class time teachers need to add different things to their curriculum; but, they do not need to over compensate! The constant emails and notifications; the added assignments and various readings or videos is ridiculous. I feel like I’m more stressed about what new assignment I’m going to get everyday than if I’ve washed my hands or have come into contact with someone with the virus. It’s crazy! All I ask is to keep it simple. That’s it. The more stress someone has the more their immune system will weaken and we don’t need that.
I’m trying to keep sane as much as possible, but I will say it has been difficult with staying in all the time and having to learn this new way of taking online classes. But this is new for everyone and we just need to calm down, think positive, and get through it one day at a time. I find if I make a to do list everyday, even if it’s a dumb one, it will help keep my mind focus and for me to stay on track with everything I have to get done; it sort of gives me a purpose everyday. I highly recommend it! Plus keeping in contact with friends and family is good too; you don’t want to become a complete shut in.
If I do get a chance to actually relax and not do homework my hobbies tend to include cleaning out every cabinet in my house, working on puzzles that everyone usually has from a few Christmases ago that were in your closet, and watching TV (does anyone have good recommendations because I need something to binge).
With all that being said, I am managing, but it has been hard. I’m trying to stay positive, stay as safe as I can, and taking it one day at a time. Hopefully you are too! And remember, wash your hands, stay 6 feet apart, and DON’T GO OUT unless you absolutely need to!!! To End this it starts with YOU!
Thank you for coming to my Ted Talk.
Committing to the Commute 