- Bee Academy
- Sep 11, 2020
- 4 min read
Seven months into a pandemic and our life has still yet to return to it's previous, more productive routine. Although it is incredibly acceptable to dedicate this time to relaxing and caring for your health, it is also understandable that you may be getting anxious and terribly bored. In Canada, there are expectations of a second wave, meaning we may have to return to strict measures and limited outside ventures.
Here are some simple ways you can maintain your sanity and stay productive while stuck at home.
From a student to a student.
1. Read
Simple but often overlooked. Reading is like watching a movie, only the visuals are limited to your imagination and the talent of the author. If you've run out of things to watch, or if your just sick of it, I highly suggest picking up a book you've never read or re-reading a past favourite. Even if you've noticed that you don't have very many books at home, online is always an option.
Here are some quick websites I found with free books:
You are not limited to these sites; there are plenty more. Just a quick Google Search and you'll find your way!
2. Learn A New Language
An additional language on your resume always looks good. Take these secluded times and dive into a new country (virtually, of course). Appreciate their culture, research their history, stare in awe at their scenery, cook their food, and along the way, learn their language. With computers and phones, all of this is possible in the palm of our hands. We can't possibly give up this privilege! For starters, start looking into movies or a drama series from that country, but instead of finding a translated version, turn on your subtitles. This is one of the best ways to pick up on small phrases. The movie or drama also introduces some culture and food. This is the most efficient and entertaining way to learn about the world (apart from actually visiting the country).
If you've run out of stuff to watch, start looking into online platforms that help with language learning. Here are a few that I know of:
Duolingo - scary owl but generally effective
Live Mocha - takes some getting used to
Babbel - Has it's pros and cons
Busuu - Pretty professional
There are plenty more that can be revealed by a single google search. Find what works best for you!
Remember to always be respectful and open minded. This isn't an invitation to be racist in any way!
3. School/Major Exam Prep
Brush up on your notes, study ahead for a class or even prep for a major exam like the SATs. A few minutes of a studying a day will make a noticable difference.
4. Take an extra class
Pretty self explanatory. Take an easy class and raise up your Grade Point Average.
5. Bake or cook. Or Both!
All kinds of food have been trending recently. Join the rest of the world and cook your heart out! Pick up a few recipes or brush up your old. If you're a student still living with your family, this is the best time to learn how to cook your family's traditional meals. Or you can try scrolling through some food hashtags; you are bound to find something you will crave. It is honestly the most fulfilling hobby to have!
6. Scholarships and Post-Secondary Planning
This one is for my High School peers! Take advantage of the fact that you are not buried deep into work and start researching scholarships and post-secondary institutes. Doing this all at once during your senior year while balancing your classes will be stressful. Take care of some obscure planning and research or even prepare a few essays and applications. It never hurts to pre-plan and prepare ahead!
Keep an eye out for some advice and resources on Bee Academy!
7. Volunteer!
Volunteering is the most rewarding way to build your portfolio! Help out has many initiatives and non-profits within your community or even outside your country. Build your skills and experiences, make connections, and give people a helping hand. There are really no cons to volunteering during your free time. Although you can volunteer physically within your community, you can also safely volunteer virtually for several non-profit organizations. Remote volunteering has many resources and opportunities out right now, take advantage of it and experience the benefits!
Keep an eye out for some advice and resources on Bee Academy! Check out the Bee__Academy Instagram for a list of websites and organizations with remote opportunities.
8. Work
Throughout the pandemic, many have lost their job. As students, it would not be a surprise that you are struggling financially (especially post-secondary students). Although working in-person is limited and very risky, there are multiple remote opportunities. Work from the comfort of your room in a full-time or part-time bases. At the moment many employers are looking for post-secondary students and even high school students (although it's slightly more difficult). Remote jobs starting at minimum wage and much more are pretty abundant. Just a quick google search for any position you may be interested in can reveal a lot.
Keep an eye out for some advice and resources on Bee Academy! Check out the Bee__Academy Instagram for a list of websites and organizations with remote opportunities.
9. Get a bunch of online free certifications
Spice up your resume and skills with all the free certifications on the internet.
Here are some websites you can use:
Linkedin Learning - A bunch on here. Just sign up for the free trial!
10. Start your own Initiative
Do what I did and start your platform or initiative. It only took me a day of pre-planning and around a month to launch this website and the Bee Academy Instagram account. It's not a difficult step forward, puts your brain to work, and takes up just enough of your spare time. Initiatives like this can be helpful to other people and allow you to grow many of your skills. I have also added this website to my resume, which can always be a push to stand out amongst other applicants. If you find that you simply can't maintain it, it's not difficult to drop the initiative as you are the one running it.
