Already feel bored or annoyed with your family at home? Check out these ideas for personal career enhancement and family fun. Each provides a special view of how you can make these months of social distancing go by quickly. Don’t worry; you won’t be bored with this array of entertainment and educational options.
1. Stay on top of your schoolwork
You now have all the free time in the world to get all of your assignments finished on time. Whether your school has closed temporarily or moved classes online for the remainder of the semester, educational work should be your top priority, especially since those on-campus “distractions” aren’t a factor in your life at the time. “The activity has kept me busy due to the increased work professors have assigned, specifically essays and of that sort,” Penn State freshman Greta Winkler said. “Being on lockdown has forced me to sit down and do it because I am not able to go out and hang with my friends that has often become a distraction to doing my homework.” Get yourself organized now because the all-online workload can seem daunting with little to no reminders about due dates anymore. Nevertheless, this social distancing is a time for all students to focus on schoolwork in order to boost that GPA from home.
2. Binge-watch all of your favorite shows/movies
Have you ever received movie or series recommendations, then said, “eh…I’ll watch it when I’m home from school or not as busy with work?” Now is the perfect time to binge-watch that Netflix or Hulu series and throw yourself back to childhood with Disney Plus. Streaming services are aware of its rising influx of users, so they have already been adding new movies and shows. Disney Plus just added its recently released movie Frozen 2. You’ll have plenty of entertainment options over this extended period of time.
3. Cook or bake meals and treats
With dine-in service being restricted in a lot of states, this is the perfect time for you to experiment in the kitchen. This is the perfect time for you to whip up those recipes you’ve been saving for years on Pinterest. Why not have some fun with food while you’re off? Explore different meal and snack options to satisfy all of your personal cravings as well as your family members. While your creations may not be perfect, your relatives will appreciate your culinary endeavors.
4. Have a singing or dancing competition
Now, this idea will absolutely be comical and fun for the whole family. You know you want to flex your dancing and singing skills you’ve developed while away at school or even just from belting out your favorite songs while driving with the windows down. Let your parents entertain you by bringing back music from their generation. This is a perfect way to make memories and laughs during this seemingly negative time.
5. Play board or video games
It’s time to dust off the Monopoly and Life game boxes as well as gather the Wii remotes and Just Dance editions. While you’re at it find a deck of cards or Cards Against Humanity as well. These entertainment options give you a chance to play and bond with the family members you’ve been distant from for so long. Give everyone in your family a chance to pick a game to play to make sure everyone feels involved and there is a variety of games. Playing some classic board games, card games or video games will get those competitive juices flowing, elicit good laughs and book memories.
6. Workout at home
Speaking of competition, that New Year’s resolution to work out every day doesn’t need to be put on hold now that you’re confined to your home. You can research plenty of at-home workouts to complete and keep yourself in shape. Need some weights or other accessories? Get onto Amazon or another online outlet to order whatever you need to stay on your exercise track. Looking for another exercise choice, but with a more competitive and social atmosphere? Ping pong is a great option, as you can compete with family or friends while staying distant and working those muscles. “Who says social distancing has to be boring?” Penn State law student Jordan Rhone said. “Getting the recommended dose of fresh air and playing some ping pong allowed my friends and I to stay active and force ourselves to remain six feet apart!” Whether you prefer to work out alone or with a buddy, there are ways to make both possible while adhering to health policies.
7. Get active outside
Why not take that exercise outside? ? “Working out helps me feel productive and healthy,” University of Florida senior Elise Hudson said. “Also, I get to get some fresh air without putting others at risk.”As long as you stay at least six feet away from anyone who may have been infected by the coronavirus, you should feel free to take walks or jogs around your neighborhood by yourself or with family members. If you have a basketball, soccer ball or football, have some fun outside with the family to burn off some steam and get out of the house.
8. Read some books
When was the last time you actually read a book for enjoyment outside of a class? For most of us, I’m sure that time is lost in the high school days. There’s no better time than right now to find a series or author that you enjoy to make time go by faster. “Reading makes time pass a lot faster, so it helps with being busy during free time,” Penn State freshman Evan Spevak said. “I really enjoy it so there’s that, also it is somewhat beneficial to my education. I have a lot more free time than I did at university, so being home allows me to read more often.” Try some different authors, genres and storylines to really broaden your horizons and learn some things you may not have otherwise in the classroom (or in this case online).
9. Get crafty
What better time than now to start becoming that person you always buy artsy things from on Etsy, eBay or Amazon? These crafts can be as simple as painting mason jars or planting pots to making sock puppets. Think about some craft ideas especially if you have younger children in the house that are home from school. Head to Pinterest for some easy and fun craft ideas that can be carried out with supplies bought from your local grocery store. Crafts will keep you and the youngsters entertained.
10. Take an online shopping trip
Many college students tend to have a pile-up of gift cards or an eternal flame full of shopping desires. With summer on the horizon and plenty of free time to spend on the internet, why not get a head start on purchasing those beach and concert outfits? It’ll provide a look to a positive future where the coronavirus is hopefully combatted. If it isn’t, whatever these outfits may be could make for some perfect self-timer photo shoots in the comforting walls of your home.
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