By: Lily Sperber

With the semester quickly coming to an end, students may be wondering what they can do this summer despite the ongoing pandemic.

Here is a list of 10 things you can do to avoid boredom and cabin fever once classes end.

1. Do puzzles and play card/board games

While playing games like these on your phone may be easier, why not change it up and play one in person with someone you’re stuck at home with? It can help you pass the time, have some fun, and allow you to spend some quality time with loved ones. If you don’t have any physical board games where you are, try a multiplayer app such as “Words with Friends” or “Trivia Crack” as an alternative.

2. Learn a new language or skill

With more free time on your hands, why not teach yourself something new? Whether it be an academic pursuit or something that can become a new hobby, think about what sounds the most exciting or valuable to you and give it a try.

3. Try some new recipes or cook something you normally wouldn’t

If you love food, finding and cooking delicious recipes could be a satisfying way to spend some of your time. Lookup a dish you’d love to try or scroll through apps such as “Tasty” for some new and unique ideas.

4. Read something

Whether it be a fictional novel, biography, or magazine, keeping your mind busy by reading can be a relaxing yet valuable activity to add to your daily routine. If you aren’t into reading physical books, many libraries and news sites offer free audiobooks and reading material on an array of topics for free.

5. Apply for a job at an essential business

Interested in getting out of the house and making some extra money? Businesses such as CVS Pharmacy, 7-Eleven and Pizza Hut are hiring more employees during the pandemic. Also, if you want to set your schedule, consider food delivery jobs through “Uber Eats” or “Instacart.”

6. Volunteer

Whether helping people in your neighborhood who can’t go outside or offering your free time to a business, volunteering can help make a difference for others while also giving you a reason to you out of the house and stay occupied. Safely contact people or nearby businesses to see if they could use some extra help.

7. Make plans and get organized

While a lot of your normal life may be put on hold for now, it’s not too early to start planning what you’d like to do when things return to normal. Consider using an online or physical agenda to simplify and track your current tasks and note what you are planning in the future. Also, reorganizing your room or living space can give you a chance to be creative and improve your surroundings.

8. Adopt or foster a pet (or spend more time with your own)

In a time where social isolation is more common, a way to maintain your mental health is to have a pet to keep you company. If you don’t have a pet and can handle the responsibility, contact a nearby shelter to find out more about the adoption process, and see if they need any animals fostered.

9. Declutter your electronic device’s storage

If you get notifications often about your storage being nearly full, now is the perfect time to erase some of the things you no longer need or use. Go through your camera roll, unsubscribe from and delete emails you never read, or delete old files on your computer.

10. Continue doing whatever brings you happiness

To keep a sense of normalcy during unusual times, it is important to do the things you normally do, whether that be exercising, spending time with friends and family, or getting things done. You may need to change how you go about your normal activities but aim to keep your day-to-day life as familiar and enjoyable as possible to what it was before.