Motivational Quotes for Quarantined Students

Within a matter of weeks, the coronavirus transformed from a foreign crisis into a terrifying domestic threat: as of March 30, 2020, the United States has 140,000 cases of the virus. As schools continue to shut down by the thousands, millions of students remain housebound without the familiarity of their classrooms, extracurriculars, and friend groups. The vacant hallways and empty lockers following the transition from in-person to online schooling have left students uncertain of when their lives will revert to normal, and anxious about what their futures hold.

However, there remains one unwavering fount of temporary relief—the internet’s endless supply of motivational, inspirational quotes.

I have compiled some quotes that will hopefully provide some perspective when life feels overwhelming.

On Boredom

“When I started doing music, it was out of despair and boredom. I got passionate about it, and I felt that it allowed me to become somebody: an artist who explores her different identities.”

–Yasmine Hamdan

We always pray for more time, yet now that we have time, we complain of boredom. Whether it’s tuning an old guitar, taking a free online course through an Ivy League, or calling a relative, do things that would otherwise be left undone. Checking items off of to-do lists brings an unparalleled sense of satisfaction, so get creative with how to make the most of your days at home!

On Procrastination

“Even if you’re on the right track – you’ll get run over if you just sit there.”

– Arthur Godfrey

The comforts of home present innumerable distractions that are absent during the school day. Losing focus is easy when while doing online schooling, the Netflix icon in the computer taskbar is waiting to be clicked, and the bed is a couple of rooms away. As said by the exam coach of gradeleader.com, Dr. David Cosgrave, “outside of following health officials’ protocols, the best thing that students can do for their exams is to look at the school closures as an extended study break rather than a complete holiday.” The College Board, for example, will be administering 45-minute online free-response exams in place of in-person exams. Although school districts are currently flexible in their new learning models, students must remain focused and prepared if they aspire to perform well on examinations.

On Stress

“In times of great stress or adversity, it’s always best to keep busy, to plow your anger and your energy into something positive.”

– Lee Iacocca

The coronavirus has precipitated an unprecedented global crisis, bringing uncertainty and misinformation to households across the world. For students, this means we are unaware of not only the short and long term effects these lockdowns will have on our loved ones but our education. The best prescription for avoiding a downward mental spiral amid the pandemic is to stay active—mentally and physically. Avoiding stress by completing a daily routine of realistic goals, like doing one hour of SAT prep or going on a 20-minute run, is a technique that helps to cope with anxiety.

On Family

“In truth a family is what you make it. It is made strong, not by number of heads counted at the dinner table, but by the rituals you help family members create, by the memories you share, by the commitment of time, caring, and love you show to one another, and by the hopes for the future you have as individuals and as a unit.”

–Marge Kennedy

During the school year, family members go their separate ways—to school, to work, or to a friend’s house. Now, with everyone confined to their homes, there is an opportunity to grow and strengthen relationships before leaving to begin our own lives. At my house, we’ve made new memories by drawing on the sidewalk with chalk, going on hikes, playing Scrabble after dinner, and watching “classic” movies. Instead of coping with the world’s apocalyptic state alone, lean on loved ones for support while creating wholesome memories along the way.

On Perseverance

“Character cannot be developed in ease and quiet. Only through experience of trial and suffering can the soul be strengthened, vision cleared, ambition inspired, and success achieved.”     

–Helen Keller

The panic surrounding the coronavirus is everywhere: the media, the government, and the twitters of Hollywood stars. Reacting with anxiety to rapid changes in lifestyle, tremendous loss of life worldwide, and health threats to those closest to us are reasonable given today’s circumstances. At this moment in time, we are apprehensive about the potential negative impact the pandemic could have on our lives. However, we must identify the aspects of life we control: how we manage our time, how we treat ourselves, how we treat others, and how we add joy to our lives.