For many people, quarantine has opened up the possibility of pursuing their education. Many people who always said “I’d love to learn more about that but I just don’t have the time” suddenly find that they do have the time, either because they’re working from home or because their workload has shrunk. That comes with its own anxieties, on top of all the other stress that comes from this present moment, but it also creates an opportunity.
Degree
For starters, now might be a good time to go back to school and get a degree. Maybe you already have a degree and are looking at a second degree, maybe you’re looking to finish an old degree or maybe you never got a degree and you’re looking to start fresh. Whether you’re looking for a UF APK masters or you just want to finish your undergraduate degree, this might be the time to give it a shot.
Job Skill
Maybe you don’t have the time or mental energy to commit to a whole degree. That’s fine too. There are plenty of smaller courses you can take that will add job skills to your resumé. Especially in an uncertain job market, this can improve your chances and reduce your personal anxiety. Also, many of these courses are freely available online.
Craft
Maybe you don’t want to think about work at all, or maybe you don’t need to. In that case, why not learn a new craft. Tasks that keep your hands and your mind busy, like knitting, baking, origami or pottery can keep you happy and calm during a stressful time. On top of that, many of these crafts are ones that young children can get involved in, keeping them happy and entertained.
Language
To everyone who’s ever said “I’d like to learn a new language, I just don’t have the time,” now is your chance. There are countless ways to learn a new language, many of them free. Like crafting, learning a new language can keep your mind active and entertained during a boring and stressful time. On top of that, like new job skills or degrees, it looks good on a resumé. Learning a language can also prove later when the lockdown lifts, if you intend to travel abroad.
Subject
You might also take time to study a whole new subject. Maybe you’re an engineer who was always interested in history or an English major who recently discovered the joys of astronomy. Many people, especially if they struggled at all in school, forget that learning doesn’t have to be a horrible slog. Learning can actually be really fun. Studying something you actually want to study, at your own pace and in your own way, without the pressure of academia or your career looming over you, can be a hobby all its own. It’s a great way to fight cabin fever, expand your mind, and even make new friends who have the same interests as you.
Point of View
It’s also important, especially at the present moment, to broaden your horizons and learn about points of view that are not your own. Not all education is done in school. Many of the most important lessons in life are learned by listening to what others have to say. Books about race, class, gender and age differences are often the best tools you have to educate yourself about a different point of view and make yourself a better, more well-rounded person.
Be kind to yourself first and foremost. Many people are rightly anxious about their health and the health of their loved ones, and that makes it hard to focus. Trying to do anything during a time like this isn’t for everyone. continuing your education can be a good way to keep cabin fever at bay and make yourself feel better, but don’t feel like you are obliged to cause yourself more stress in an already stressful time.
