The Importance of Participating in Activities During Modified Learning By: Ella Simmons

    On a normal September weekday, we would all go to school expecting to see our friends. During school we would have lunch and sit with people we like to talk to, study with friends, and high five people in the hallway before class. When school started in September of 2020, our day couldn't be more different than that.

    On a "normal" school day this year, we wake up, open our computers and go to virtual school. We have lunch on our own or with people in our house, then we have another two hours of classes. After those four hours (usually more) of work and screen-time, we have more homework; our eyes still glued to a computer. We're not moving around or interacting with anyone- and we don't have the ability to let our mind be relaxed.

    The important question is- what do you do after school? Do you go to practice for a sport, perform music, dance, or draw? It is so beyond important to be doing activities outside of our unique form of school that we've discovered this year. It is a way to move around, let your mind wander, have a distraction from the hard work of online school, and a way to relax after a long day on the computer.

    After asking a large group of about 90 people on social media (middle school-high school and a few college students), almost all of them say that they have activities after their online school day whether it's sports, art, or other activites. Out of that group of people, roughly 90% say that it helps them deal with the difficult time of online school and the coronavirus outbreak.

    It doesn't matter what activity one chooses to do- it could be dance, football, walking your dog, painting, or even listening to music. As long as you are taking a break from the screen, going outdoors at some point, or even stretching, you'll be surprised how much that will help you stay motivated, concentrated, less stressed, and happy during modified learning of 2020. Give it a try!