For many students, 2020 has been completely different from the previous years we’ve experienced. If you’re a senior in college, the COVID-19 pandemic might have ruined what was supposed to be the best year of your college experience. General public health limitations brought by the pandemic has led to the cancellation of homecomings, sporting events, and campus activities.
In spite of the restrictions brought upon by the pandemic, there’s still a lot students can look forward to. Yes, searching out fun activities to do might be harder to find at this point. However, doing something you enjoy can distract you from problems and help you cope with this new life’s challenges. You can still enjoy your senior year in college even if it’s not on campus.
Here are some fun and enriching ways to enjoy your senior year while social distancing:
Club Quarantine
Going to college parties, getting ready for major campus events, and being encircled by friends, is just one of those things you can’t reproduce at home. But approximating that feeling could potentially help for now. Zoom parties, DJ live streams, and virtual scenes like Resident Advisor’s Club Quarantäne are uniting individuals to delight in music while keeping physical separation.
With basic knowledge, you also can get in on that computerized club activity, regardless of whether for your companions or by yourself. You don’t need advanced gear or previous experience of being a DJ to throw a good online party. All you need is a good vibe and music you love.
If you want to just enjoy a virtual party without the hassle of getting your own equipment, you could check out the virtual parties Tallahassee local DJ, DJ Loosekid throws on his Instagram.
Netflix Party
If you’re not a person who’s into partying but enjoys movies, Netflix provides a great alternative. Get a few friends together and have a Netflix Party. While we all may enjoy Netflix on our own, Netflix describes this as “a new way to watch Netflix with your friends online.” The streaming giant launched a chrome extension that creates a shareable link for everyone to access the movie via Netflix, which streams to everyone synchronously and provides a real-time chat feature for everyone to communicate with as the film goes on. While being safe you can enjoy the company of others and appreciate the movies on your screen.
Virtual Happy Hour or Dinner Party
It might be out of the ordinary, but you can still have dinner parties or a happy hour if you’re 21+ with your friends. You could even agree on a meal that you’ll all eat. Here is the way Anthony Redding and his friends had their virtual dinner party.
“Myself and a group of my friends agreed on making chicken alfredo. It was cost-friendly, easy to make, didn’t require much time,” said Redding.
“My friend brought the idea to me and honestly at first it sounded like a silly idea, but it turned out great surprisedly. I wouldn’t mind doing it again. ”
To achieve the virtual dinner party or happy hour, students can use FaceTime, Zoom, or Google Hangouts. Here are a few tips to stay safe while getting groceries, and here’s how to buy liquor or wine online, if that’s on the menu or if you choose to just have a happy hour instead.
Start or Perfect a Hobby
Is there an art venture you’ve been wanting to perfect, or a professional camera lying around gathering dust? When you’re not doing assignments or studying, this would be an ideal opportunity to either pick up that overlooked leisure activity or start another one.
If you’re into music and have been wanting to learn how to play an instrument, you could order one online and find how-to videos on YouTube. Learn the ins and outs of the music industry with SkillShare. Skillshare is a learning platform with online classes taught by the world’s best music practitioners. The site also personalizes on-demand learning in design, photography, and more. If you’re a student who’s looking for something more cost-friendly there’s a bunch of free how-to videos for everything on YouTube, so start searching and soak up some of that free extra time.
Go Outside, Enjoy A Nice Walk
You can leave your homes in most cases, just practice social distancing. If your local government hasn’t placed shelter-in-place orders or a curfew, this would be a good physical activity. Doctors say “fresh air and exercise are good for not only your physical health but also mental health”, reported USA Today. Take a walk around your neighborhood if you live in the suburbs, go to a nearby park, go hiking, or even try jogging. Spice it up and bring enjoyable fruits or treats. Simply ensure you know where and when you can go with regards to the state laws and COVID-19 restrictions.
Try avoiding times and recreational areas that may have a bunch of crowds. If this is inevitable, make sure you wash your hands and don’t touch your face, USA Today reported. You can find about the different parks on Leon County’s Website.
What To Remember
While things may look different this year, senior year is your last opportunity to savor college life, so make the best of it! That way when you walk across the stage at graduation to get your degree, you’ll do so with a smile on your face and maybe even a tear in your eye. Hopefully, you’re willing to give at least one of these ideas a try and still try to enjoy your senior year.