Quarantine leaves a quaran-ton of time on your hands: Five hobbies to keep you on track and happy
Samantha Martin, Staff Writer
Picture this: You have a sneaking suspicion; after all, you were around this one person for just the right window of time. You try telling yourself it isn’t true, but you take the test anyway, just to be safe. It’s just that time of year, allergies and colds, the flu. There’s no way you have it. So you wait, but for the first time ever, the positive result means negative consequences.
Quarantine and isolation leave students with a lot of free time on their hands. And for those who thrive most when there is something to do, it’s hard being away from activities and friends. In order to keep themselves and others safe, students that have been exposed to or have contracted COVID-19 have to distance and stay away, but this can be very boring and lonely. How do you keep your mind busy while locked away? Here are five hobbies to help you do just that.
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Watch Your Favorite Shows
Let’s face it; even in isolation, it’s hard to focus on schoolwork. We create distractions for ourselves, and one of those is television. But finding a way to work that into your schedule might help keep it from becoming the only thing you do.
“I really love criminal/detective shows. Before I was called into ministry, that’s what I wanted to do, so I watched a whole lot of Law & Order,” said junior Sarah Brooke Wylie on her self-isolation hobbies.
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Read A Book
Quarantine and isolation create lots of quiet time, and being sick gives a reason for snuggling under the covers and grabbing that latest page turner (even if it’s just a textbook).
True, you can’t smell that “new-book smell,” but you can just imagine that part.
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Freelance Work
In the age of technology, nearly any skill you have is marketable. Tutor over Skype or Zoom. Hone a new recipe for your business. Work on a new editing style. Study your craft and practice producing. Edit papers. Design logos. The possibilities are nearly endless.
“I run my own baking business, so I had time to practice and do some new recipes and things like that. I also spent the summer building the lofts that my roommate and I use in our dorm. I kind of created projects for myself to do,” said Wylie.
Senior Chris Jalbert had some other ideas. “There were two things that I did. I liked watching a lot of older movies, exploring older films and studying them. The other is a little strange, 3D modeling. It’s figuring out how I can make a 3D environment that I can use for videos,” said Jalbert.
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Spending Time in God’s Word
Quarantine is an opportunity to spend time in His word. And for those that believe in Him, maybe it’s a sign that you need to slow down, either for rest or so you can hear what He is saying.
“And we know that for those who love God, all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose,” Romans 8:28 ESV.
And with Chapel available online, the options for worship exist in so many ways.
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Homework
Homework is an important part of the learning experience and vital to growth as a student. Practicing and preparing outside of class can only make us better students.
Don’t let school lord over your time in quarantine or isolation, but don’t forget it either.
“I would say, develop a routine. And if you can safely go out onto your porch, go outside and get some sunshine. That’s what I did, it helped me kinda not go stir crazy,” said Jalbert.
So hunker down, grab the flash cards and the highlighters. Curl up and sip cocoa with your favorite novel. Or set up and record the latest in a line of quarantine blogs.
The important thing is that you do your part in taking care of yourself and others.
