By Clara Moffitt
With extended breaks, school closures, and cancellations of pretty much everything else, Tempe Prep students and families have found themselves at home much longer than expected. For better or for worse, as the spread of COVID-19 increases it is important to stay safe and stay home. Though our weekly screen time reports may have shot up 4 hours in the last few weeks, being home doesn’t necessarily mean being lazy. From baking projects to workout routines, TPA students have been finding fun and creative ways to fight boredom and be productive during Corona-cation.
Students like Sierra Smith, a junior, have been setting goals for themselves to achieve with the increased time at home. Sierra says she has been “completing things I’ve had time-limits on and had a hard time finishing.” Some goals she has for herself are to finish her Congressional Gold Award and complete the Military Academy Physical Fitness Assessment. That means doing an intense workout each day! Sierra’s advice for increasing motivation and productivity “is to focus on things you’ve always wanted to do and complete anything you haven’t had the chance to finish! Stay motivated and try to establish a routine.”
I have been following Sierra’s advice and made a list of skills I’ve wanted to learn or projects I’ve wanted to do like writing music, learning epic cooking skills, starting a nonprofit, and I budgeted time each day to work on them.
Junior Maya Kostov has also had a fun and productive last few weeks of quarantine. To reach her goals of limiting screen time “because being on Zoom too much hurts my head,” (as I am sure we can all relate to) Maya has completed a 1,500-piece puzzle, two paint by numbers, and three books, and she exercises each day. She also recommends the new Club Penguin game. Maya says, “just step out of your comfort zone and have fun!” Now is a unique opportunity to try new things!
In a recent email to the TPA Community, Headmaster Dr. Porter also noted the importance of spending time with family and getting outside. Being productive doesn’t mean working all day. In fact, it is very important to step away from our computers and consider our “personal and family needs” and also remain active. He says, “I have recognized the need to take care of myself and my mental and physical well-being. I encourage you all to take some time to reflect on your situation and to make any adjustments that will help you stay healthy and in a good place mentally.”
Here are 15 unique ideas to stay productive, take care of yourself, and have fun during this uncertain
time:
- Learn to bake (check out some of Kelly Clark’s “Cupcake Wars” worthy culinary creations.
- Make a Kahoot about your family; see who wins!
- Of course, study for the SAT, ACT, and AP exams. There are several online resources to be prepared for college.
- Plan a drive-by to safely celebrate a special event (birthday, anniversary, etc.) at a distance and see your friends! (Thai exchange student Namo was surprised by a drive-by sendoff before her return to Thailand).
- Write a letter to loved ones by snail mail.
- Go all out in preparing a fancy meal (my mom’s family planned a fun themed dinner for her birthday).
Who said we can’t have prom? Get dressed up, put a candle on the table and a speaker in the living room, and eat a nice dinner and jam out with the family.- Go on a family walk or bike ride (my family has only done this 4,000 times)
- Learn a new language! Tempe Prep only offers 4 language courses but Duolingo has hundreds (and it isn’t cancelled!) including a fictional language!
- Learn to play an instrument or other skill. Junior Jake Medlen has been picking up the recorder (Note: Playing the recorder during Zoom class is actually not allowed) and Maya Kostov has learned to play Mr. Sandman on her guitar.
- Do a photoshoot! Grace McQuaid did a session with her bunnies but you can get up, get dressed and do one of yourself and family members.
- Do yoga. A lot of people have been posting various home workout routines and yoga is a great way to be active and also calm down amidst all the COVID craziness.
- Reorganize or clean your room. Change up the scenery!
- I mean… you could always give yourself bangs!
- You can still do service! Write notes to give to homeless shelters or make masks to give to those in need.