By Danielle Rice || Arts & Leisure Editor
With us all being stuck at home right now due to COVID-19, it can become easy to get tired of the limited number of things to do. Here are a few ideas of things to do if you are tired of binge-watching television shows.
- Learn a new skill
Whether it’s baking, knitting, playing an instrument—there are things we always say we’d “like to try someday.” Well, make that someday today! Teach yourself a new skill. The internet is a vast place with endless amounts of information and videos about pretty much anything you want to learn. Can’t come up with anything? Try something crafts-related. There are so many DIY projects out there, and at the end, you will feel accomplished and possess some new item that you made from scratch.
2. Clean out your room
You might not have gone outside recently, but if you have, you will see that spring is on its way. And with that… comes Spring Cleaning! This is a great chance to go through old stuff that you have boxed away under your bed or in your closet and reassess whether you still need to keep it. Go through your clothes and sell or donate pieces you don’t wear anymore—you’ll feel a lot more organized. If you have accumulated a bunch of items you would like to get rid of, you may need to book a Green Bay dumpster rental.
3. Read a book
College naturally comes with a boatload of reading, so it is nearly impossible to get through any reading-for-pleasure books. With this new time on your hands, however, reading is a perfect way to pass the time. Get out that stack of books that you’ve been holding on to, and get to it!
4. Try a workout video or an outdoor form of exercise
One of my favorite ways to exercise had previously been spin classes, but funnily enough, I’ve barely rode an actual bike since I was in early middle school. The other day, I took a ride around my neighborhood. It took a little time to get the hang of it again, but I realized how nice it was to ride outside. Also, old-fashioned walks are always a nice way to enjoy the spring weather. Want to do some body weight exercises while being outdoors? Wear a pair of women’s leggings and go to the nearest playground, and try to find ways to work your muscles on the jungle gym. If you get creative, there’s a lot you can do without an actual gym. Another way to work out is via a workout video or app. There are so many apps and Youtube videos of pretty much any form of exercise that you are into. You can even rent exercise equipment if necessary. Alternatively, you may invest in exercise equipment and Plate-Loaded Systems especially if there’s more than one member of your family who will be using them. Additionally, consider incorporating protein powder into your routine to support your fitness goals and muscle recovery.
5. Learn a new language
Maybe it’s not on the top of your list, but if you ever want to visit a foreign country, study abroad, or even if you appreciate a certain language, now is a great time to practice it. There are many fun ways you can go about this—you can listen to radio stations, watch movies and television, or read stories and books in the language you want to pick up. A neat app (and website) for foreign language radio stations is TuneIn. With it, you can learn many languages through real-world and current event topics. Another useful app is Duolingo, which teaches you new vocabulary and tests your speaking, listening, and reading skills.
6. Try something creative
If you don’t have anything else to do, get your creative juices flowing by writing, drawing, painting, or through any other creative medium of your choosing. Art is very meditative, and can be a great way to express your thoughts and feelings. Plus, you could possibly stumble onto a new hobby or passion.
Sophomore Danielle Rice is the Arts & Leisure Editor. Her email is drice1@fandm.edu.