Ways to Stay Motivated
By Amina Khokhar
In order to keep sane throughout this uncertainty and frustration, I have found activities to take up my time with positivity. Instead of being negative and being in a hole, I have tried to change my mindset and work on bettering myself. With this, I like to keep in mind that this isn’t a “productivity race” and that me getting my work done is an accomplishment no matter how small the workload is.
I have been focusing on self-care since this is the best time to recharge: a nice bath/shower, face-mask, making a smoothie, painting my nails or filing them, etc! I have also been trying to get some exercise in! I try to work out 6-7 days a week with a workout challenge to help motivate me. I have also found other ways to stay active: going for a jog, watching a Zumba video, yoga, practicing TikTok dances, going for a walk. All of these get the blood pumping and are a nice alternative to just being on the couch.
I have also been doing art with my family! We decorated our door to thank the mail women and men so that might be a fun activity, among others, for your family to do. We have also been painting and drawing. We are an art-centered family so it is nice that we have time to do it more often as a family.
Sending letters to friends is another thing I have picked up! I have sent out over 10 letters to friends to stay connected and to send something nice their way. It is always fun to get mail and getting a letter from a friend is even more special. It can lift up their spirits and it makes me feel good to spread positivity!
Lastly, I have been reminding myself that the semester is almost over and that I can finish out strong. We can do this.
Here are some ways to stay motivated:
- Clear a space, no matter how tiny, for school work. It can help you get into the right mode.
- Get dressed or get out of PJs. It can help you feel more engaged in schoolwork to wear clothes you would wear to school typically.
- Get rid of distractions: Put your phone to the side and pop in some headphones to try and get focus. It might help to pick a time when your house is the quietest to be able to have as little distractions as possible.
- Take it one assignment at a time. It might be helpful to do one assignment and then take a break. Repeat this as much as you need and by the time you know it you are done!
- Ask friends for help. If you have a friend in a class you can ask them to help remind you about homework.
- Stay positive and do not pressure yourself. Easier said than done, but looking on the bright side even for a moment can help you feel more at ease in this situation. This isn’t a productivity contest so do not feel pressured to force yourself to do all your homework at once. Take it at your own pace.
Form New, Healthy Habits
By Josh Hunihan
The current state of the world is a weird one for sure. I’ve spent more time inside than I ever have in my life, but I like to think that I am handling it well. I have started to go a bit stir-crazy, but I’ve been doing my best to stay occupied.
Currently, my main focus is getting my class work done and making sure that I have done it to the best of my ability. I’ve always had trouble with time management, so I have been taking this time indoors to focus on improving my study habits. Obviously, I can’t do homework all day every day, so I’ve also been working on making some other, healthy habits.
Cleaning is something that I’ve always done my best to steer clear of. Now that I’m stuck at home it is completely unavoidable. I’ve been cleaning like crazy: vacuuming, dusting, washing dishes, and folding laundry. It’s my newest habit and honestly, I love it.
Now that my schedule is much more open than it was before, I’ve been trying to exercise at least five times a week. I don’t currently have access to a gym, but I do have some dumbbells, kettlebells, and resistance bands. Even without these useful tools, it’s still possible to get a good workout. One of the easiest ways to exercise, and therefore one of my favorites, is to go for a walk. There are countless apps and websites where you can track how far you’ve gone and how fast you went. On top of that, there are a huge number of bodyweight exercises that can be done and require absolutely no workout equipment. All that is required is a solid floor and maybe a chair or a table. I have had the benefit of learning a lot about exercise from my father and from my friends, but the internet is an incredible source for this subject. Don’t be afraid to start off easy; progress comes with practice.
Another activity that I’ve been working on is improving my drawing and painting skills. I’ve always enjoyed art, but I don’t spend as much time on it as I’d like. So, for the past few weeks I have been spending a lot more time painting, drawing, and doing my best to learn more techniques.
Although this time spent mainly indoors has been somewhat frustrating, I’ve been trying to make it a time to form new, healthy habits. Once I’m finally back into the world, I can jump right back into my typical schedule but with a new list of habits that keep me healthy, both physically and mentally.