COVID-19 REFLECTIONS: Quarantine Time - Finding Your Vibe

As the days continue to go by and more information is being put on the news, it’s more than safe to say that a lot of us are feeling the quarantine blues AKA cabin fever. There’s something about just being in the house and not being allowed to gather that bothers some of us, because if I’m speaking for all the teens and young adults out there, I know we can all agree that we’re ready to break out. However, it’s absolutely necessary to take these precautions in order to keep everyone safe and healthy. 

Just because we’re confined in the house, doesn’t mean we can’t switch it up on a day-to-day basis and have some fun. I think a lot of people are overlooking this time in the confinement of our own homes. We should be enjoying our families and getting to know them more and get closer to them. We should also be discovering ourselves and working hard to make sure that we continue to strive and thrive. I know that’s a little optimistic, but I have a few suggestions to make your time a little more valuable, and a little more fun. 

Tip #1: Rediscover an old passion of yours 

Sometimes we take for granted our many talents, and when we get a little busier, we start to disconnect from that part of ourselves. The first way we can look at quarantine is that it’s giving us a way to redefine and relive what we fell in love with and why we fell in love with it. I know for me, I rediscovered my love for writing. I’ve always been a writer, and I actually have been writing since I was in the fourth grade. I lost track of it because of school and work and I started making up all these excuses why I wasn’t putting my energy in my passion, but then I realized my passion is who I am. I’m a writer, I’m a poet, I’m a novelist and I’m rediscovering what all those titles mean to me.

Tip #2: Family Fun Nights 

I’m really big on family, and I try to make sure that I’m bonding with every one of those family members that I hold close to my heart in some way. Sometimes you have to have those laughs and those moments of pure silliness in order to make yourself comfortable with where you are. Sometimes have a game night every now and then. I know for me and my family when I break out the Monopoly or a quick game of spades, it’s over with. My older brother even taught me how to play dominos so now I’m into that too. Try learning new things from your family that they enjoy so you can all enjoy different things together. 

Tip #3: Pushin’ for some cookin’ 

It’s safe to say that everyone has joined the home cooking train these days, especially since restaurants are closing and most of us are trying to refrain from going out too many times throughout each day. I love mixing it up in the kitchen. It’s soothing to me, especially when I’m cooking and I’m having my music going whether it’s my gospel or my old school R&B. You just have to find your niche, and even if you’ve never touched a pot or pan in your life, just try it. I feel like this quarantine is making us all a little braver as well, so start pushing those fears aside and let’s get those aprons! 

Don’t keep any of these things up just for the quarantine. I feel like now that people are starting these self-discovery journeys and getting back to the true essence of themselves, I feel like all of these things including the tips that I just provided for you should be practiced once we’re all in the clear to start getting back to the ways of the world. Don’t just talk the talk for the quarantine, walk the walk once you get out that door. Let’s do this!

Faith Smith, Valparaiso University ‘22

COVID-19 REFLECTIONS: Focusing At Home With Online Classes

Education is important. Don’t even get me wrong. But I’m sure by now all of you have been moved for the most part to online classes. I’m sure I can also be convinced that while you’re taking online classes, you’re at home. Of course with being at home, if you’re a college student like me, most likely you’re not in your own apartment. Instead, you’re at home with your parents and siblings if you have anything or any other relatives. Either way, most of you may be around people while you have to keep up with your classes. 

I know for me, my household can get crazy. With babies running in and out of here for me to babysit and then my parents or my sister can walk in at any given time while I’m online doing class virtually, it can be a hot mess. The distractions are at its all-time high. Even while I’m doing this blog, someone is trying to get me in conversation or my baby cousin is trying to play with me. It’s crazy, and I know it’s hard to keep up with the work, period. 

Some people may not have the proper internet access to attend the virtual classes nor to access their assignments through Blackboard. Trust me, I understand your pain and frustrations with this whole new setup. It’s a lot to take in and it was so sudden. I honestly dislike this new method of schooling. I feel like since everyone has to communicate via the Internet in some form of fashion, it’s harder to keep up with emails and assignment due dates. Professors already have their own households to worry about, and since they have multiple classes an abundance of students, their responses to emails are delayed which is also very understandable but frustrating at the same time because communication gets lacked. 

I also think it’s harder to attend these virtual classes because the Wi-Fi is unpredictable. Sometimes it runs slower because there’s so many people on it. Sometimes it cuts off and you miss certain aspects of the lecture. However, something that really helps with this is that all the professors are understanding. They make sure that the students are accommodated for so that if there is any trouble experienced, it won’t be held against us. 

I just wanted to open up a space for us to discuss this. Again, these are certainly uncertain times and it’s hard for us to understand what’s going on. Every time we turn on a news channel or look on social media, there’s a new announcement about extending the quarantine shutdown. It’s inevitable at this point, but once again we need to continue to stick together and make sure things run as smoothly as they can at this point. It’s a lot to take in, especially when it comes to school. My heart goes out to all the seniors out there this year, those both in high school and college, because senior year is one of the most important years of your life with both. Not just because you’re graduating, but also because of the festivities that everyone looks forward to. For high school, there’s homecoming, prom, and graduation itself and for college, it’s those alike. Times are still rolling, so we will continue, but trust and believe you’re not the only one feeling this. 

Faith Smith, Valparaiso University ‘22

COVID-19 REFLECTIONS: Don’t Bottle It Up, Vent It Away

I know what you’re thinking: what in the world crisis is going on these days? I get it, and trust me, I understand your frustrations. With the corona virus outbreak, every day we’re getting new information that’s more overwhelming than anything. At this time, people’s livelihoods are affected because of the closing of jobs, limited resources, and being unable to be around the people you love the most because of social distancing. 

Everyone is frustrated. That’s something that can’t go away. Everyone is also fearful because we have no idea what is going on or what will happen next. It’s a lot to deal with, and something that’s also getting affected the most is our education. 

As a college student myself, I’m more of a hands-on person, which means I learn the best when I’m in the classroom doing the work and seeking help from professors during their office hours. Unfortunately, with everything that’s been happening, it was announced yesterday over the news that all schools in Indiana are suspending in-person classes for the rest of the semester, which means all of my classes from here on out will be online. 

I see many problems with this. First, for some of my classes, I had tutoring, which means I was already trying to work on bringing my grades up, specifically in my science classes. However, now that I’m no longer doing in-person classes and we have to practice social distancing, I no longer have access to the proper tutoring, which means I’m completely on my own at this point. I have my professors through email, but they have so many other students to keep up with as well as their personal lives and their children to look after and keep safe, which means they won’t be available at my every need and call. 

It’s times like this where instead of staying to ourselves and bottling up everything, we should vent it away and leave it where it is. Stress levels are high. No one knows the future of their financial standings. This is a tough position to be in for everyone, and it’s affecting every part of our lives. It’s what we do as American people. 

My heart and prayers go out to everyone that has been affected by this virus whether it’s health-wise or financially. Since this is a place of venting, I would like to hear some of your frustrations. Don’t be afraid to say what’s on your mind, let’s talk about it. 

I hope everyone does their best to stay healthy and safe. Keep your children close and make sure you’re checking on your loved ones. These are trying times, but do not be discouraged. We will get through this, and once we get to the end of the tunnel, our sun will shine brighter than ever. I believe in you and me.

Faith Smith, Valparaiso University ‘22