As the pandemic rages on, many students are spending most of their time indoors, especially since the district is still relying on online school. Sometimes the little activities students complete throughout the day help get them through this very static era. The material things students have and the different hobbies they pick up are vital as they try to keep busy at home, especially as students; it is hard to stay productive when each day seems the same. 

It is apparent that many Manheim Township High School students are struggling with these issues as well; the pandemic has allowed some Township students to pick up new hobbies. 

Junior Nyah Khan mentioned that she has started making jewelry in her free time: “It’s super relaxing. I can listen to podcasts or music while I make stuff and it’s a super great way to de-stress” said Khan. 

Although many students are stuck at home, finding time to get out of the house can be quite beneficial. At the beginning of the lockdown, many families took walks and tried to get outside as the weather was starting to get warmer.

Outside activities may not be as common during this chilly time in January, however, as daily lows can reach below 40 degrees; students might be finding it harder to get out of bed and find something to do indoors. Senior Olivia Jablonski has carried her walks through the fall and winter, however, as this hobby lightens her spirits.

“Hiking and walks with my dad have been pretty regular since the shutdowns. The time out with nature has definitely helped my mental and physical health. … It’s good to be outside, away from busy life, and to take time to reflect,” said Jablonski. 

Some other students have also expressed the frustrations of being stuck inside, especially student-athletes. The fall sports season was delayed/disrupted and ended early. The winter sports season has also been pushed into the spring and there’s still a lot of uncertainty surrounding it. There is even more ambiguity with the spring sports season. For some student-athletes, quarantine has taken a toll.  Many of them have missed out on their usual sporting events. 

Just like Jablonski, Junior Sydney Witwer has turned to outdoor activity in order to quell her frustrations about the sports seasons: “I started running a lot! [It] helps me reflect and think. And it gives me an excuse to get out of the house … and it keeps me in good shape for lacrosse season!”

Other students have expressed the difficulties of online school as well during this time at home, as there is no real sense of responsibility when logging on; laying in bed during class has become normal as cameras and microphones stay off. This way of life may seem quite fun for a high school student initially, however, it becomes droll after a while. Picking up new hobbies is important during this time as life can seem unchanging and frustratingly stagnant. 

This elongated time at home can also severely affect students’ mental health and perhaps these activities could relieve them of this unfortunately common burden. 

Sophomore Keira O’Neill mentions that having a hobby provides an outlet for creativity, especially during a time when it is easy to lose track of our mental health. “Even doing and completing hobbies or little projects give some sort of motivation during such a dreary and stressful time,” said O’Neill, who has engaged in arts and crafts projects and even started selling clothes on an app.

This isolation can also serve as a time for some to try out new hobbies that they’ve always wanted to. Senior Zach Penner has taken this time to perfect his culinary skills: “I’ve wanted to learn how to cook in the past and I took this quarantine as an opportunity to do just that. I also set up an Instagram [account] with some of the stuff I made.”  

So, although it may seem like this isolation will never end, there are still plenty of activities and hobbies that can keep us busy. Also, there is still hope on the horizon: Governor Wolf’s lockdown order ended Monday, January 4, enabling sports teams to practice and compete, as well as opening up other places like restaurants for dine-in eating. And the COVID-19 vaccine has become more widespread, making the end to the madness surrounding the virus seem much more attainable. 

The end may not be near, but there are many things we can do to make the journey much more enjoyable.