The coronavirus/COVID-19 pandemic is real, it’s happening, and it’s here to stay for a while. Schools across America are extending spring break and moving to online learning. SATs and ACTs test dates are being postponed indefinitely across the globe. Companies are even canceling summer internships preemptively. Stuff’s happening — to put it lightly — and Netflix is beckoning you towards procrastination. Even if you’re not in quarantine and cases of COVID-19/Coronavirus haven’t hit your area yet, it’s understandable to feel isolated, confused, frustrated, and alone.
Given this uncertainty, the number one thing we are telling our clients right now is that they need to use this time to their advantage. If you are no longer going to class at school, you have an amazing amount of time suddenly available to you. It’s in your best interest to use that time to be productive and proactive. Students who use this time to further themselves are those that are going to succeed because school being in flux doesn’t mean college admissions officials are going to lower their standards. The Stanford supplement has previously asked students, “Imagine you had an extra hour in the day — how would you spend that time?” Well. Now you do. Many extra hours, actually. So, let’s put them to good use.
Below are our six “Things To Do” for students who are learning from home (or simply spending more time at home) due to the Coronavirus/COVID-19.
1. Create A New Structure
The easiest way to lose momentum is to let structure disintegrate. When one structure falls apart, it is absolutely critical that you replace it with someone new. If you are no longer physically going to school, you need to create a daily plan — that can be flexible — that sets you up for success.
The exact structure you stick to will likely be determined most strongly by the schedule your school decides to impose, but there are pieces that you can still control. These include setting (and sticking to) a time to wake up, setting a time to have breakfast and lunch, and creating blocks throughout the day that you use for different activities. One may be for exercise, another for relaxation, and yet another for learning something new (see numbers 3, 4, and 5).
2. Keep Your Grades Up
There is absolutely no excuse for letting your grades drop. If you are healthy and capable of doing your schoolwork, you need to be doing it and excelling each step of the way. This may mean adapting to a new way of learning — which may take a little time to figure out — but as long as you are committed and focused, you’ll be able to succeed.
3. Explore Intellectually
One of the great things about having a bit more time to yourself is that you will have time to explore intellectually outside of what your school offers. This is an excellent time to research the possibilities of online learning. We’ve written previously about the variety of online learning opportunities available to high school students, and this is a perfect opportunity to take advantage of them.
Remember that you don’t need to stick to ‘conventional’ subjects. Try taking an online course in something that feels way ‘out there,’ but that you’re enthusiastic about. Consider pursuing a course in your major field. A course offered by Harvard is not the same as earning credits from Harvard, but it does signal to admissions officers that you are a curious self-starter who made the most of their time.
4. Develop A New Interest (Or Two)
Outside of academics, having some extra time at home is a fantastic opportunity to develop a new interest or two. Hobbies are important, they provide you with growth, nuance, and make you a much more interesting person to talk to. They also help your applications. However, it can be hard to find time for hobbies in the midst of Junior year. Now that you don’t have sports, clubs, or teams, you have the opportunity to cultivate hobbies that you’ve been curious about — but just haven’t had the time to try.
If you’ve wanted to learn how to cook, try working your way through an entire cookbook. Curious about bread? Try making your own sourdough starter. Have you always wanted to be handy? Use YouTube videos as a guide as you methodically address your household woes. Whatever it is that you are interested in, you have the chance to pursue it with enthusiasm and vigor. If you really commit yourself, you may even get a college essay out of it.
5. Read — a Lot.
Another benefit of an increase in free time at home is having more time to read! We are advising our clients to read at least one unassigned (i.e., not for school) book every one-two weeks with an emphasis on advanced contemporary literature. If you aren’t sure what that means, we are talking about adult books published in the last few years. Nickel Boys by Colson Whitehead is a staff favorite.
The reason we are emphasizing contemporary literature is that most of the books you read for school are older, and most books students read on their own to try to sound smart in their supplements are also of the older ilk. By reading contemporary literature, you’ll have fresh content to write about for questions like Columbia’s lists of books you’ve read, or other supplements that prod you to share insight from a recent read.
6. Stay Healthy.
Finally, and indeed most importantly, we need you to commit to staying healthy. None of this time and effort is worth anything if you let your health fall into the background. Stay away from large groups of people. Drink lots of water. If you start to feel sick, treat it seriously. Stay active, eat well, and protect yourself.
If you are wondering how to make the most of an uncertain time, send us an email. We support students and families in creating productivity out of chaos.