Tips, Tricks and Advice on How to Avoid Going Bonkers in a National State of Emergency
On March 7th, 2020, it was announced that the Glens Falls City School District would be closed for a total of five weeks due to the dangerous spread of the COVID-19 pandemic. As a senior in high school, the moment I received this gut-wrenching news is a moment that’s forever engraved in my memory.
We were strolling through TJ Maxx with my mom for some discounted markers and other fun activities, as we already anticipated closure of school. It was odd how many people were in the store, teachers and friends - I guess shopping is a common therapy for many of us women. Suddenly I started receiving notifications from group chats with friends, my sister, and even my grandparents. Texts flowed in with the last words a senior in high school would ever want to see.
“School’s Closed, did you hear?”
“School is closed for FIVE WEEKS GUYS. What are we supposed to do?!”
“Ella I can’t do this I can’t live like that.”
“Are you ok?”
“How do you guys think you’ll learn?”
I looked around and everyone was checking their phone and circling up with their shopping carts to discuss the news. Everyone knew the closing of school was possible, but five weeks sounded like an absolute eternity. I finally found my mom amidst the chaos, tearful. She’s a school psychologist for the district and she carries a heavy heart with her. As much as she loves us, I truly believe some of her first worries were directed towards the children who need school. Who need the social interaction with adults who motivate them, students who need the free and reduced breakfast and lunch because there’s no food at home or who need emotional support.
I did feel for her and all of the faculty and staff who have worked with less fortunate students who will most likely struggle, however, I maintained a feeling of selfishness. As a senior, I wanted to soak up every last bit of high school I possibly could. My final season of high school athletics was approaching, I was supposed to go to prom with my closest friends, I still even had to graduate! As my fellow seniors and I dreamt that this could all turn around in a few short months, unfortunately, as we turned on the news and listened to our Governor or to our President, it genuinely felt like the end was nowhere in sight.
As a senior in high school who survived this chaos, I made a list of my tips and tricks for any fellow seniors, teenagers, or even families who may be struggling to find the light at the end of the tunnel.
Routine
As teachers reached out to us during the beginning of the closure, preparing us for our new learning experience, they told us to continue to strive for one thing: maintain a routine similar to a normal school day. Obviously we don’t have to sit in front of our computer for nine 40-minute periods, but waking up and having a set time for schoolwork Monday-Friday is very important.
Routine has always been essential in my life anyway, especially as I have struggled with anxiety. However, I've always been used to six hours being planned out for me, already structured with specific times where certain subjects are to be accomplished. Once I realized on my first day of virtual-school that I had to plan out my periods and work, I felt overwhelmed and frustrated. I’m sure the teachers felt for us in trying to adjust, therefore very little work was given the first few days. I grabbed an old notebook and tried to make a simple daily list as best as I could, and kept it traditional so I could physically check off daily accomplishments as I went along.
After I got into the rhythm of using my notepad and this schedule, I also started noting if a day was successful or not on a scale of 1-10. I have begun using this scale because one day of rest is okay, but too many leave me behind in my school work.
I don’t become too stressed if I don’t accomplish something on my list or if I had an ‘unsuccessful day’, I just move on to the next with more motivation to accomplish any unfinished business. I consistently am reminding myself that the unsuccessful days are okay, Netflix days in bed are okay. I’ve grown up in a world where it’s wrong if you aren’t always accomplishing something, and I believe learning how to let my body and mind relax properly has become a major positive out of this new experience.
Key Takeaways:
Wake up and get changed! You’ll already begin to feel more accomplished than the way you felt when you woke up.
Pull out a pen and paper and write down any goals for the day!
Make your bed, drink some coffee, put on some fun music - accomplish small tasks to get your brain and body moving!
Do not procrastinate major assignments! Place your computer next to the window and pump out that book report.
More slow-paced days / relaxation days are OKAY! Just avoid too many, which could result lack of motivation.
Food
Growing up I’ve always been a major food-lover. Whether it's a big bowl of pasta, my Grandma’s home-cooked meals, or takeout from any of the amazing Glens Falls restaurants, I love all of it. Alongside my large calorie intake over the years, I’ve always been involved with a sport, so I typically wouldn't have to worry too much. However, now that the most exercise I’ve been getting is either some brief cardio or hitting off a tee, calories have become more of a focus - and I’m sure many other teens may be facing this issue.
It’s truly tempting to head to the cupboard after your mom comes back from her grocery trip with enough snacks and junk food to last for an apocalypse, but there are ways to avoid this “bored eating”. I may not be a doctor, but after reading some articles on bored eating I learned a few things.
I myself am a victim to bored eating (oops)
A simple glass of water or even distracting the mind with a craft or activity can prevent it
Constant snacking instead of 3 bigger meals can result in more trips to the pantry, whereas a larger, more nutritious meal can leave you feeling more full and even more energized
Putting aside the ways eating can become the enemy in quarantine, it also can become a positive staple in life stuck at home. I have learned some fun new recipes and saved a few bucks because I don’t feel tempted by the idea of a chicken salad from the local hotspot that I can actually make in my own home. Family meals are the root of fun conversation and lots of laughs. When I went around asking my family members a positive to the ‘no takeout’ life, they all shared the same thought - that the creativity of new recipes and gathering at the dinner table more often has allowed us to come together more as a family. My mom, who hasn't always been a fan of spending time in the kitchen, agrees that she has even been able to find new recipes that she never imagined would be so easy. My sister and I have even become the newest baking fanatics as we’ve made countless new treats. The time spent in the kitchen can make quarantine time go by even faster and create stronger family bonds - along with saving everyone a few bucks from no gross takeout!
Key Takeaways:
Avoid bored eating at all costs!!!
Stay hydrated!
Try some new recipes.
Make some fun games in the kitchen- Cupcake Wars or even a fun version of Chopped can keep the whole family entertained
Enjoy the company of your family! They’re all we have right now.
Help Mom + Dad make a meal once in awhile, they will LOVE the help and will be so grateful for anything you make.
Entertainment
Through social media I’ve always been in awe of the artsy bullet journals people keep or the cute sketchbooks, so over Christmas break I was excited to start one myself. Come to find out, I actually did an awful job at keeping it updated, and this is mainly because I would gravitate towards my phone as opposed to journaling during my limited free time. Right there is another positive out of this crazy experience - I am trying to find entertainment through healthy / therapeutic brain activities as opposed to the blue light I seem to be so addicted to.
My family splurged on various markers and fun paints and it was definitely worth it, especially when my sisters and I find ourselves coloring at the dining room table together for long periods of time. My favorite page in my journal so far is where I’m tracking all the good books I’m reading and the movies I’m watching with my family. Because as much as coloring is a great way to keep busy, and probably mentally healthier - Netflix works just as well sometimes.
Just the other night it was my first time watching “Good Will Hunting” and I think I was crying at the end more because I was upset that I hadn’t seen it sooner. Just that one movie put a pep in my step for the next three days, and left me with loads of inspiration. Movies also help me escape from the harsh reality we’re experiencing today. It's 2 hours where you can be a part of another world, eat some popcorn (yes, you can make an exception for bored eating during good movies), and forget about the fact I may have already had my last day of high school (which absolutely breaks my heart).
I can’t deny though, I found myself using up more screen time once I decided where I’ll be attending college. This definitely helped the slight depression that was forming from no school because I’ve been meeting so many amazing people, ultimately allowing me to look forward to the future even more than I had been. Hundreds of people upload to the “Syracuse ‘24” Facebook page everyday and scrolling through all the strangers who could become some of your closest friends in the future is extremely fun and addicting. Because yes, although us seniors may not be experiencing the senior year we’ve always dreamt of, we can still look forward to the best years and memories to come.
Key Takeaways:
Start a journal! Draw in a sketchbook! What we’re living through is what kids will be learning about in history class one day, write down your experiences!
Make some popcorn and find a feel-good movie.
Especially to the seniors - figure out your future plans and meet new people! It helps you look forward, and not towards what you may be missing out on in the moment
Find a good book!
Regret
The whole quarantine experience is not ideal for anyone. Yes, seniors may be missing out on the most, but people everywhere are dealing with their individual struggles. As I’ve been living through these past two weeks, I have stumbled upon many regrets and experiences I was taking for granted.
As I’ve grown up, sports have made such an incredible impact in my life and have allowed me to become the person I am today, however there were obviously days I was tired out. There were days I prayed the chlorine levels were too high to swim, or that my practice would be rained out - and now looking back I’m so mad at myself. I took those moments where I was still able to play for granted, and now here I am going day by day missing athletics more than ever. Sports have been an outlet for my anxiety and any built up stress, and I wish I was more dedicated when I was able, and more appreciative of everything they provided me with - especially my happiness.
The idea of missing sports rolls over even more into how much I miss school, and I truly believe I can speak for every senior who regrets joking around about senioritis or missing a class because “we weren't doing anything anyways”. As I said earlier, school is my routine, it's my structure and most importantly it is my socialization. Being a part of a smaller school district I get to go to all of my classes and be surrounded by my friends who I’ve grown up with. Obviously I’m closer with certain ones than others, but boy do I miss their humor and fun personalities. Any of them had the ability to brighten my day when I needed it, and with talking being a form of releasing anxiety, most friends knew this and would let me ramble on over the stupidest things. I miss school, I miss my friends and teachers, and I genuinely regret any of the days I wasn’t in school because I figured “I’m a senior- what’s the point”.
Here’s just a few ideas that need to be emphasized more for any teens who aren’t 2020 graduates:
1. Be nice. Be kind to everyone. You never know the last time you’ll see them or be with them. It sounds depressing but it’s not, it’s just the way life is. So if you can be anything to your classmates, be kind.
2. Never take the opportunity of playing your sport for granted. Commit yourself. Don’t skip practice. One day you won’t put on a Glens Falls uniform anymore.
3. Don’t skip school. Just don’t do it. Drink some coffee and suck it up because one day you’ll reminisce on the simpler times where all you had to do was read Great Gatsby as opposed to in college where you’ll have to complete a 20 page thesis.
4. Have fun. Yes, school has its hard days, but it’s not supposed to be easy anyway. Go to the football games and dances, because those are the nights you will remember forever.
Key Takeaways:
Seniors - It's okay to grieve. It’s okay to have regrets. It’s okay to have down days. We may be missing out on some celebrations or fun activities- but those are nothing compared to the crazy life ahead of us - our young years are just beginning.
Any other teens - this may feel like an eternity but you still have lots of time left, and when you do go back to school - just remember to embrace it!
We will always be considered some of the strongest groups of students in American History because we are going to get through this.
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ELLA WOLFSTICH
Ella Wolfstich is a 2020 graduate of Glens Falls High School, where she was Student Council President, a member of the National Honor Society, and a record holder on the swim team. Ella is attending Syracuse University this fall, where she will be studying Marketing Management.