Tuesday, March 17, 2020

e-learning day 2 - Quarantine Tips

Hi Everyone!

I am getting a lot of feedback from you all about the difficulty, uncertainty and boredom from quarantining.  I think this can be a valuable learning opportunity and I also want to give you some suggestions.

First, we have been talking about social structure and how it creates stability and continuity for us.  This structure leads to culture and shared meaning between people, even strangers.  This quarantine is a great example of that.  Think about how much you notice all of the structure that daily life used to provide:  Going to school and jobs, meeting with friends, clubs and sports.  We tend to go about our daily lives not noticing these patterns - like a fish swimming in water and not noticing the water.  All of these groups provide both a structure and a "self" identity.

Hopefully, this quarantine helps you see all the ways that we take for granted our interaction with each other.  Are there connections that you previously did not realize?

Second, here are some suggestions for weathering the quarantine.  I would recommend making a schedule so that you make time to do these regularly:

1.  Get outside.  You are not quarantining from fresh air; you are quarantining from large groups of people, especially aggregates.  Make this part of your regular schedule.  Walk around the block.  Or, go for a long walk.  See how far you can go.  Take a bike ride.  Explore different routes and areas.  Finally, drive to a hike.  Buffalo Creek is a nice 3 mile loop.  Independence Grove is beautiful.  If you are willing to go farther - Lakewood Forest Preserve in Wauconda is really nice too.  Some things to do outside:  look for signs of spring.  I saw my first crocuses in the garden today.  I also see lots of buds of flowers to come; a reminder of hope and of good things to come.
Crocuses
Crocuses are one of the first flowers around here to bloom.  Hellebores are also blooming soon.  I also heard robins and cardinals singing today and baby hawks sqwawking high up in their nests.  What can you see and hear?  One idea to focus your attention is to make a photo album of what you see each time you go out.  Here are 19 ways to get outside.  Do you have a favorite place outside?  Tell us in the comments section.








2.  Stimulate your mind.  Don't use your classes as a task to get done.  Instead, see them as an escape.  Lose yourself in the learning.  Explore, ask questions and then research and learn.  You have so much at your fingertips.  If you don't find your classes engaging, then look for topics/subjects you like.  Feel inspired learning about something that you didn't know about.  Some books that I have read lately that I have really enjoyed:

Just Mercy by Bryan Stevenson is an amazing but true story about a Harvard Law Grad who decided to work at a non-profit law firm defending people on death row who did not have enough money to defend themselves.  It is really an amazing book that is now a movie starring Michael B. Jordan.  I was planning to read this at the end of our semester.  Many colleges are reading it as part of their curriculum.

The Power of Habit by Charles Duhigg is a great book about how to change habits.  Some of the book is sociological, like how societies can change habits of their people and how organizations like businesses or schools can change their habits.  And it is also psychological, like how individuals can make changes in their own habits.  It is a great book for you to change anything you want whether it is get heaty, or study better or anything like that.  But it may also be a good resource if you are in a leadership position.  It will help you think about how to make small changes in your organization that have a big impact.



 The Years That Matter Most by Paul Tough.  It's a sociological analysis of college and it is a scathing indictment of the college board (you might enjoy that part :-)
 Mindset by Carol Dweck is a book we will talk about in our lessons to come, but the book is worth reading fully.  It changed the way I think about myself learning but also it changed how I parent and how I teach.  It would be a great book to read before college.
This Book Is Not Required by Inge Bell and Bernard McGrane is a sociology book written for freshmen in college.  It covers a number of subjects that will confront you in college like: choosing a major, dating, moving away from home, returning back home, etc...  The book has both sociological insights as well as practical advice for transitioning to college.


Are there books that you would recommend?  Tell us in the comment section.





3. Be creative.  Find some outlets for you to be creative.  This might mean writing your own poetry, choreographing your own tik tok videos, making humorous videos (saw some great ones here), painting (I am painting my kid's bedroom), learn a musical instrument, make music playlists, take creative pics, start blogging, make a website that reviews something - movies/restaurants/books/sports teams/players.  Shakespeare likely wrote King Lear and others while the London theater was shut down because of bubonic plague.  Even if you are not into arts, be creative about making a new workout routine, rearrange your bedroom, re-organize something - closet/backpack/desk.  Learn to cook something.  Whatever you do, it doesn't have to be good - just stimulating.  It can be an opportunity to learn something new.

4.  Exercise.  This can be built into some of the ideas above (1-3).  Make time to get some exercise in.  Whether it is cardio or weight training it relieves stress and sharpens your mind.  It will help you sleep better, have more energy and boost your mood.  You can be creative too - shoot hoops in your driveway, dribble and do ball handling in the basement, do yoga using youtube, or make up a crossfit routine like pushups, situps, burpees, lunges and then record your progress.

5.  Socialize.  The quarantine is about people being in groups, but not about communicating with each other.  Call someone each day who you haven't talked to in a while - old friend/relative.  Facetime friends.  Talk to family members in a way that you haven't before - ask questions like what was your first job?  What what was your favorite childhood memory?  Humans are storytellers.  I think technology has gotten us away from that a bit and made us more visual - instagram, tik toc, etc... But stories tell us who we are and where we came from.  They help us connect and relate.  Interview a grandparent, a parent, or someone else and have a deep, sustained meaningful conversation.

6.  Occupy your hands.  There are therapeutic reasons for using our fingers - like people who knit or crochet, (Rainbow Loom anyone?).  You can also do puzzles, sudoku, or coloring books, stress balls, or fidget spinners.  Here is a list things to do to help occupy your hands.  From Psychology Today, Working With Your Hands Does Wonders For Your Brain and from CBS news, How Busy Hands Can Alter Your Brain Chemistry.

7.  Find a way to help.  Don't feel powerless or meaningless. You can help people.  Find a friend that needs help on school work or even a younger sibling.  Tutor them.  Do a chore around the house - dishes, laundry, clean the bathroom, sweep, vacuum.  Donate blood - there is a nationwide shortage of blood.  It is safe to donate.  Search Lifesource locations near you to donate blood.  Clean out a closet and donate what you do not need.  Go to the grocery store for an elderly neighbor or an at-risk person.

8. Make moments of peacefulness.  Carve out moments - even just a minute or two to be peaceful.  No media, no distractions.  Try to focus on yourself - acknowledge your feelings then relax.  Feel your tension loosen.  If you pray, this is a good time to do that, or you can meditate.  Do the bell meditations that we have done in class - even if only in your head. Ring the bell. Quiet the noise inside of you. Breath out your stress and worries.  Listen for the constant change. Every moment is different. Every moment is a step closer to getting past this outbreak. Listen for how far the noise travels. There is no telling how far your noise travels; you influence the world and you matter.  Create a home retreat.


Students - Comment and fill out form

Please comment at the bottom of this post about what you are doing from this list that has helped you get through the quarantine, or what do you plan to do?  Then  fill out the form embedded below.

If you can't see the questions below, try this link.
Students - don't forget to post your comment below.  

NOTE: Some students are trying to post comments and they are not showing up.  Not sure why.  I will look into it.  But if it does not work, don't worry about it - the last thing I want to do is stress you out!

33 comments:

  1. for the quarantine my family is getting a puppy! we thought that now is the perfect time to add another dog to our family. she will keep us busy, on a schedule, and socializing. we have been cooperating together all week talking non stop about names and the plan. we will be going on plenty of walks, getting in our exercise. we will be cooperating as a family raising and training her! we will be super busy with her, because there is only so much more sitting around i can handle anymore.

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    1. Wow! Really cool! Actually a great time to get a puppy. The only hard part might be exposing it to other dogs. What kind of dog? What's the name going to be?

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    2. this is madison BTW! I am getting an english cream golden retreiver! We are spoiling our black lab right now so she isn't jealous-- she knows it is coming already. We think we are naming her Dakota, and we are going to introduce the two dogs at a park so my dog currently doesn't feel territorial.

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  2. Playing basketball in my front yard ad exercising has been my two largest uses of time. It is something I enjoy doing and pretty easy to do in my own home.

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    1. Good for you. Challenge yourself - with different shots. How many can you make? How many free throws in a row? How many layups in a minute? Chart your progress.

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  3. During my elearning, I’ve been sneaking in some workouts. It’s nice that I’m able to have a looser schedule than I would have at school, because it means more time for the little things I enjoy, even like doing push-ups.

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    1. Wow - you enjoy push ups? That's why you are HUGE! I can't wait to watch you play volleyball at Loyola Next year!

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  4. Honestly, I do not like the quarantine. I have suddenly found myself with too much work and time on my hands and not enough motivation to do it. Often times, I am distracted by trying new things like cooking rather than working. On the bright side, I do get to sleep in and spend more time with family. I would also recommend the book Predictably Irrational by Dan Ariely.

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    1. I see being distracted by learning new things that are stimulating and rewarding as a good thing! If it's preventing you from getting your work done, that is something to account for, but I don't think you should scold yourself for feeling curious :) -Amelia

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    2. What are you cooking? Let's get some recipe sharing going! Tonight I am making marinara sauce and meatballs. It's a family recipe though, so I could tell you, but I'd have to kill you. :-)

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  5. I wonder why everyone shows up as "unknown"? I would think it would show with your Shs email or user name? Hmmm.

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  6. During the quarantine, I've been FaceTiming my friends during "lunch" and working out. I've also been reading more.

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    1. Just be sure you clean up your lunch table before logging off. Haha

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  7. During my quarantine time I’ve been spending a lot more time with my family. We play board games and talk a lot more than usual. I’ve also been watching new tv shows/movies that are in different genres than I usually would watch!

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    1. Very cool! I loved Seinfeld which had a lot of sociology in it - jokes about norms and taboos and society. Plus there's 9 seasons so that would definitly take some time!

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  8. This quarantine has given me a lot of time to self-reflect on things such as my mental, physical, and emotional health.
    -Sanya Bawa

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    1. I hope in a good way.

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    2. Would also like to see you comment "hi" sometime around 10:15 and then come back on to do the assignment in the afternoon. Haha

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  9. I've had a lot of time to pick up playing piano and flute again.

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    1. That's awesome! Maybe you'll compose a solo by the time the quarantine is done! You should play out of an upstairs window like those italians were doing!

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  10. I've been exercising daily by continuing Early Bird PE at home on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday morning, and I've committed to taking walks with my family on Tuesday and Thursday afternoons. I've picked up a few new creative projects that will take some time to finish -- I like to animate, edit videos, and draw, so I've started a project for each of those that will keep me engaged. I try to have meals with my family and I've called someone who doesn't live with me every day this week. One of the things I hope to improve is staying mobile during the school day: I've challenged myself to only sit down during class periods between 7:00 AM and 3:30 PM! Let's see how that goes. -Amelia

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    1. Really cool. I agree with your comment for Arden. It is a good thing. Besides sitting, are you also walking around the block in between the classes where you travel? haha

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  11. I've definitely been able to workout more consistently and I try to go on a walk or run every day to get some fresh air. I like the hiking idea, definitely will try it when the weather is nice and sunny again. I'm also trying to read more books now that I have the time, recommend outsider by stephen king if you like thrillers. happy quarantining everyone

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  12. I love art, but I rarely get the time to do it because of other responsibilities, so I've been able to paint and draw more with the amount of free time I've had.

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  13. I’ve been able to workout on a consistent basis and I’ve also made sure I’ve been getting fresh air by going on walks more frequently.

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    1. Good for you! Fresh air and exercise are really important!

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  14. Quarantine has given me a lot of free time (obviously), so I have been trying to spend time with my family during this time. I went on a walk with my mom and my older brother yesterday. My family made a to-do list of things we need to get done around the house (i.e. clean, organize, donate old clothes, etc.), so I’m hoping we can get most of it done by the end of quarantine. I’m also going to try and read more because I never do that and it’s good for my brain. I’ve also been watching a lot of tv and movies with my brothers. Just trying to pass the time.

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    1. Thanks Roya! It's funny about reading - when I was in school and forced to read, I really didn't like it. But when I got out of college, I started reading all the time and enjoying it. I realized that I missed a lot of opportunity to read while in school :-( But you get that now! Love the list chores - I have that too. I think we will have plenty of time to get it all done!

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