Coping with COVID-19

Navigating life in the midst of the global COVID-19 pandemic comes with many challenges. Our current students share some strategies they have used to cope with social distancing during the pandemic.

"I really miss being with my family and friends so social distancing has been a struggle. I’ve been watching lots of comedies (Bob’s Burgers, The League, Avatar: The Last Airbender) to lift my spirits. I added a Couch 2 5K app to motivate me to go jogging (update: I have not stuck with it). Every day I try to read and do a puzzle. The brightest part of this time is snuggling with my cat Anastasia and connecting virtually with my friends."

-Chelsey

Ana is a hide and seek expert

I had just opened this puzzle and it was missing a piece!

"The silver-lining of COVID-19 for me is the amount of time I’ve been able to spend with my family. All of us are back home and work during the day, but we get to spend a lot of time together during the evenings. Board games are making a comeback! Zooming with my classmates regularly has also helped to brighten my days, whether we are doing homework together, working out, or having a happy hour. This has all definitely made me appreciate the little things!"

-Megan

"It’s difficult to work at home, and especially to see others so infrequently - I’ve been joking lately that the dripping sink and humming refrigerator have become the background noise in my brain. Outside-time has been my major coping strategy: at the end of the day, my partner and I go for a walk in the neighborhood (I’ve developed some major garden envy!) or drive to a regional park for a longer hike. I’ve also been appreciating weekly trivia over Zoom, with my friends in Minnesota and Japan. As before quarantine, Friday night take-out pizza from Pastoli’s is the highlight of the week."

-Madeline

"I’ve been keeping myself busy within my home. I watch movies, read books, watch tv shows, and work on schoolwork. Keeping my mind busy allows my mind not to go into the “What Ifs” of the current situation. I also walk around my neighborhood with my mom to get fresh air and sunlight." 

-Haley

"It has been a difficult past few months, but we’re all doing the best that we can. Frequent phone calls and video chats with friends and family have kept me grounded. I have focused on physical activity as a way of alleviating stress. I came across a book a few months ago called “60 Hikes within 60 miles of Pittsburgh”. It has been a lifesaver - anytime I am feeling uncertain of what to do, I simply get in my car and drive to the next hike on the list. I’ll have to figure out what to do with myself once I finish the list; it’s only June and I’m more than halfway through!"

-Ravella

Slippery Rock Creek

I also started a small windowsill garden with herbs and other plants (and some colorful painted rocks for fun).

My partner and I replaced the exhaust system in our car.
It took a while, but now it’s shiny and new!