Five Ways That High School Students Can Get Through the Pandemic

This pandemic is tough on everyone. We are cooped up in the house all day, unable to see anyone. It feels like there’s really nothing to do and it can be very hard to stay positive in a time like this.

From the teenage perspective, we want to be free and go out, and we really miss our friends who we are used to seeing every day at school. Teens are also still developing their ability to cope with stress or life situations in general, and that’s another reason it’s especially hard for us to deal with this sudden change. Motivation is lacking, even though we are incredibly bored. Despite all of this, there are ways to distract yourself from what’s going on, if you can find the enthusiasm. Here are five ways to get through the pandemic:

Self-Care

There’s no better time than now to focus on self-care! There are lots of things you can do to look after your mind and body. This is the right time to focus on these things while we’re stuck inside. I personally like to do at-home work-outs and try my best to eat healthier (sometimes you just gotta accidentally eat an unhealthy amount of ice cream, though, let's be honest). 

Even though it’s difficult to find the motivation to exercise right now, I think it definitely helps physically and mentally, too. I find working-out boosts my confidence, energy level, motivation, and happiness. Eating well has the same effect on the mind and body. I feel better and more accomplished when I’ve had some exercise and healthy food. All of this is really important right now as this much isolation can be quite depressing and make you feel sluggish. I’m personally doing my best to improve myself in any way that I can right now. We’re all stuck with ourselves, so I want to make that be a good thing and not a bad thing. 

Walks … and More Walks 

The dogs are beginning to get tired of all the walks that suddenly we have the time to take. We so badly just want to be able to leave our houses, so why not go for a walk ... and another walk ... and maybe just one more walk ... oh boy. This may get repetitive, but we need to go out and get some fresh air, and on the plus side, at least we have lots of time to go out and enjoy nature. Plus, the air is just a little fresher, since all this quarantine time has cleared up some air pollution, which is another good outcome of all of this. Walks are also a great way to get thinking about things. We have the opportunity to clear our minds and reflect on ourselves, our goals, and maybe even come up with some really cool ideas for new projects. Again, being in isolation could be a time where we feel trapped and down, but all we can do is try to make the best of the situation. I try to think of this period as a great time to grow and become a better person. 

During the pandemic, taking walks and shooting photos can be a relaxing way to spend the time. These ducks seem to be on an awkward first-date. Photo by Emily Stage, young & free press

Art

For anyone who enjoys art, start creating and try something that you’ve always wanted to do. One day I randomly decided that I wanted to paint on a huge canvas, so I bought the biggest canvas I could find and I started painting. Art will help keep your brain active, too. Get the creative juices flowing and make whatever you want! If you think that you can’t generate original art because you’re “not good at it”, that’s no excuse because there are so many different styles and types of art. The only thing that matters in the end is that you’ve created something and that you enjoyed the process.

Things are pretty stressful right now and everything feels overwhelming. The lack of motivation has caused me and quite a few people that I know to become really far behind in school, which is a worry. Yes, it’s very important to try and keep up with school work, but we must also de-stress every now and then. Art can be really helpful – painting, for example, can still make you feel like you accomplished something, and provides a welcome distraction. We need ways to express ourselves and get that stress out. With art, we can create a new little world where everything is happy and nice (as Bob Ross would describe art).

Family Stuff

Do something special for your family! You could make dinner for your family one night, or maybe a fancy dessert. I personally would burn the house down if I tried to cook anything more complicated than grilled cheese — so, I just made a spa night for my Mom and me. I cut up some fruit, melted some chocolate, lit a candle, got us facemasks, and put on Netflix. We had a good night. Even though sometimes it feels like your family will drive you mad, I think it is nice to do something special and treat everyone to a surprise. Everyone loves food, so baking and cooking for your family will make them feel appreciated and maybe ease some tension; plus, you get to enjoy whatever you made as well. You could also involve your family in preparing the food. Hopefully this is fun for everyone, and we can look back at this as a great bonding experience.

Virtual Life

When all the isolation is getting to me, when I’m really missing my friends and feeling lonely, I feel thankful for the apps that allow me to interact with multiple people at the same time. Yes, we can’t hug our friends and see them in person, but at least we can keep in contact with them and spend time with them virtually. I’m so grateful for my crazy, funny, and supportive friends. I can count on them to make me laugh until my stomach hurts. It’s important that we stay in touch with our friends and not forget about them during this time. Teenagers rely more on friends than we do anyone else — that’s just part of being this age. We love our family members, but most teens will go to friends for support before they go to their parents. We really need that outlet in our life, and it’s tough when we no longer get to see our friends regularly. I really enjoy talking to them in these group calls.

Although this time of isolation is difficult and occasionally overwhelming, we must stay as positive as we can. It’s okay to have bad days, lazy days, and feel disappointed about events that have been cancelled due to COVID-19. Just remember, there are still plenty of activities to do. Not all quarantine days have to be bad — I just do whatever is in my power to make them better. This has made me all the more grateful for my friends, my job, my hobbies, and many other activities. This will end eventually and we will all get through it, but for now, make the best of it.

Emily Stage of young & free press