As the COVID-19 pandemic brings us into our seventh week of quarantine, we have all started to notice an increase in our “screen time” and a decrease in our mental well-being. Many of us are spending hours on TikTok, Netflix and other addictive apps to cope with stress and distract us from the dismal reality of life right now. While it might be fun to play around on these apps, there are more productive things to be doing. Here are some ideas to help you take advantage of the extra time.
Clean out the closet

This is something we always want to do, but never find the time to do so. Now, we have all the time in the world! Grab a garbage bag for yourself, and start cleaning! Who knows – while cleaning you might find something you’ve lost or something that you didn’t even know was lost! Try donating or reselling any clothes you have grown out of or haven’t worn in awhile. My favorite reselling app is Mercari. It’s super simple to use and with only a little effort, you can make some money. Any clothes that have holes, stains, or are otherwise damaged should be thrown away.
Listen to new music

While we have the time, why not find some new tunes? A great way to do this is to create a Spotify playlist. Add a few of your favorites, then scroll down to “Recommended Songs” and listen to what Spotify suggests. If that sounds like too much effort, the website Spotalike does the exact same thing.
Zoom with friends

My friends and I video-chat through Zoom almost every night. It’s the closest we can get to being with each other while still staying safe. Often, we play games, like Remote Insensitivity (similar to Cards Against Humanity), while on Zoom via playingcards.io. It’s a great way to pass the time, instead of sitting around bored.
Start studying for the SAT/ACT

Although the SATs and ACTs have been cancelled for the time-being, it’s never too early to begin prep for the big test. Websites like Khan Academy offer free SAT prep, where practice questions are curated to your skill-level. The ACT website offers free ACT practice questions as well. The free app “Daily Practice for the SAT” provides users with what the name implies: daily SAT prep.