Social Distancing is defined as “deliberately increasing the physical space between people to avoid spreading illness,” according to John Hopkins University. When I first received notice that Texas A&M was going to be closing for two days after spring break, I was excited. I thought “Wow, two extra days of spring break!”. but that all soon began to change. It went from two days to one week to finishing the entire semester online to complete social distancing. Since this was my last semester, my heart completely broke. I did not get to enjoy end-of-the-year banquets with my organizations, my last day as an undergraduate or walking the stage May 9, but when I realized that all of this was for a greater purpose, my thoughts changed. Is staying in my apartment for predominantly most of the day and not being able to regularly see my friends fun? No, but here are a few ways I’ve coped with it:

1. Creating a schedule for my classes so I can stay on track

One thing I really struggled with in the beginning was staying focused with school. Senioritis on top of not being able to physically be in class made finishing my coursework feel impossible. Now, every day I write down a to-do list for my assignments and classes. That way I stay on track with my tests and projects along with my homework. 

2. I picked up a few hobbies

Since I now have a lot of free time on my hands, I decided to pick up a few hobbies. For instance, my roommate and I bought paint and a few canvases a few months ago and never got around to them. Now, we have the time to paint and simply enjoy each other’s company. Another hobby I decided to work more on was cooking. I can now look up random recipes online without the fear of a time restraint and cook to my heart’s desire. Lastly, Rosetta Stone is offering students three months of free access, so I decided to learn Spanish. Sitting inside could be boring but finding a new skill or perfecting others has helped me in the long run.

3. Keep in contact with your loved ones

I love my friends and family, and not being able to see them every day breaks my heart. Even though I cannot physically see them, I always try to make it a priority of mine to keep in contact with them every day. I strive to talk to my friends and family at least once a day just so we could update each other on what we’ve been up to. 

Think of this as a time for growth, healing and self-reflection. When will you ever have enough free time to work on yourself or craft your skill again? Even though this situation is not ideal, social distancing could help us flatten the curve to ensure the safety of our essential workers and the immunocompromised. Yes, I’m bummed that I won’t be able to fully enjoy my last semester, but at least by staying inside, I might be able to save a life.

The outbreak of COVID-19 has been stressful for many people. Learn about the resources available to help you cope with all the changes that COVID-19 has brought to our daily lives.

Resources for coping with COVID-19