Since the start of quarantine, students have had to overcome adversity, but many new opportunities are being offered as well. Social distancing has provided a new outlet for academic welfare and personal growth.

During these hard times, many teens have been able to find new hobbies and improve upon their skills. 

“I’ve been baking and drawing a lot.” said freshman Alexis Waters. “It’s great because normally I would not have the time.”

Self-isolation has also allowed students to be more active. Staying inside and away from others has shown people the importance of physical activity. 

“Lately, I’ve been seeing myself wanting to go on walks and be in the outdoors more frequently,” said sophomore Elizabeth Telkamp. “I think quarantine has been making everyone extremely bored and lonely, so doing physical activity and getting some fresh air relieves some of the stress people have.”

It is easy to feel pressured by surrounding elements caused by the pandemic, but taking time to tend to personal needs is a very good way to think more optimistically.

Although most of us are distancing ourselves from others, we have found ways of communicating with their close friends and loved ones. 

“I have been trying to text at least three friends every day and frequently video chatting with my closest friends,” said Telkamp. “FaceTiming my friends and relatives is allowing me to get closer to them without being near them.”

Taking time to self-improve has many benefits, but it is also important to stay focused on the work at hand to get through the rest of the school year.

“Some students are kind of pushing off work which in the long run causes them to have more work to do later on,” said junior Rachael Strong. “It can be super hard to stay motivated to do school work in quarantine, but I try to stay productive so that I can have a successful senior year.”

Quarantine has made it hard for students to stay active and continue to work hard, but many of them seem to have found solace in the more enjoyable things that they normally would not have had the time to do.