Ah, remote learning! As much as I have missed family and friends, it’s been pretty amazing spending time by myself. Countless hours of cooking, watching Netflix and sleeping has been so rewarding. While it’s been one and a half months, remote learning has ‘Zoomed by’ (see what I did there?). Longer sleep-ins, personalised work schedules, a quiet space and many face-to-face classes are just some of the highlights of learning from home. I’ve felt like I’ve been able to gain a sense of independence in my learning which will benefit me heading into University. I definitely did not expect I would be creating routines. However, that’s what remote learning has been all about: discovering new things about yourself.
As for the next two weeks, I will embrace remote learning. Homemade meals, casual clothes, and the 30 minutes extra sleep right before homeroom is what I’ll cherish most. Take what you’ve learnt and loved in this time and focus on the positives. Focus on the memories you’ve made and things you’ve achieved. Believe it or not, your great grandchildren could be sitting in class learning about the coronavirus of 2020. I can’t wait to see all your faces at school having lots of fun.
Hope you’re doing well and see you soon!
– Riley White
While it has been a difficult time manoeuvring through the struggles created by isolation and online learning – it has not been all bad. In fact, being at home all day with no reason to go out apart from the occasional trip to Coles has left me (and everyone else) with a lot of spare time. And I mean a lot of spare time.
I have had a lot more time for studying, but also for doing things I have not been able to do in years. I have read my old favourite books I haven’t touched in years. I have put up lights in my room and completely redecorated the walls. I have had time to put into baking and cooking throughout the day during my usual recess and lunch breaks. My sister has also picked up baking again now that she is at home all day, and I think my dad has finally found the end of the Facebook feed. He has had a well-deserved break from his work.
It has definitely been a strange few months, but there is always a silver lining, and God always gives us the strength to get through the unknown, because it is all known to Him.
– Danielle Cook
The last weeks have definitely been a crazy time – one where we all had to learn how to do a lot of things online in a very short amount of time. But, we made it through! And can finally see some light at the end of the tunnel. While these weeks have been filled with many online classes, new formats for assessments, and having to deal with terrible Wi-Fi, my time has also been filled with calls to my friends (which involved us trying out all possible filters – obviously), my free time turning into Netflix breaks, and my lunches going from boring sandwiches to homecooked meals. In this time, I called on my inner tiler and gardener, filling our outside wall with colourful tiles, and cutting our trees to half their height… and then trying to fit it all into a trailer in one shot.
While this time may be crazy, and although we might not be out of it yet, focus on the memories that you’ve made. Focus on the positive experiences and on your accomplishments. You are living in a story for history textbooks of the future.
Stay safe and God bless!
- Miquette van Dam