The coronavirus is causing many of us to be isolated and quarantined. For me, not only was my school canceled, but my entire student teaching was finished. This means that if the school were to reopen this school year that I don’t have to return and make up my days. I can still graduate on time and my licensure won’t be affected.

So for the foreseeable future, I am stuck at home. I know that I am not alone in this because many jobs and states are shutting down. While I know it can be hard to be productive during this time, I want to compile a list of tips that I’m using to stay sane while this whole thing occurs. Here’s my list of things I do:

• Compile a list- I mention frequently that I keep a list of things to do in a week. Usually it’s a lot longer, but even in isolation, I’m still keeping a list. This helps me to get stuff.
• Get out of bed- I have read multiple articles for college students about how it messes with your brain if you do work in your bed. Your brain doesn’t know when to shut off and when to be active if you’re working in your bed. I’m not saying you have to put on work clothes every day and keep your normal schedule, but work somewhere besides your bed.
• Don’t neglect your hobbies- It’s easy to find yourself “bored” in this time. Remember the things you like to do. Reading, playing video games, watching movies, whatever it is. You’re spending a lot of time at home, so be doing things you actually enjoy.
• Be creative- If you have any creativity in you in any form, then use it. I enjoy painting and I’m obviously continuing my blog. It can be easy to neglect creativity with all this time, but I can promise you that is not the right answer.
• Try to be productive- It doesn’t have to be every day. But don’t be lazy every single day. Get stuff done, whether it’s cleaning, actual work, or anything else.
• Stay active- You can go for a walk, do some bodyweight exercises, whatever helps you. But with all this extra time, you need to keep your energy up.
• Get rest- Just because you aren’t going into work every day does not mean you should pull all-nighters. Sleep is still important now.
• Keep up your hygiene- It can be easy to neglect showering or brushing your teeth or things like that. But don’t. Shower like normal, and stay hygienic.
• Obviously, keep your health up- Until this disease is figured out more, it’s important to try to keep your health up as best as you can. You don’t want to put yourself at a greater risk, and you don’t want to put others at a higher risk. So by trying to keep your health up, you can help lessen the spread of this.
• Try new things- If there are things you want to do, no better time to do them than when you’re at your house for a few weeks.
• Lastly, remember that this is not permanent- Things will get better and return back to normal. Ride it out, and know that we can do this together (but separately).

So there they are. We can do this and get through this pandemic. Just stay sane and do your best in this time.