This year, a lot of students around GP are struggling with motivation this year. This year has been strange and very different to say the least. It can be hard to stay focused while sitting at home looking at a computer screen. Motivation can also be hard to take control of, as well as helping to motivate others. Sometimes it takes more than a social media post to help.

Write an encouraging letter to some of your friends, family, or teachers.  Letters are always fun to receive, and people keep them for a long time. Once when I was younger, I wrote a letter to my grandparents. They still have the letter on their fridge and they still read it sometimes. A letter is an easy way to reach out to others, yet is still very personal.

If you need encouragement for yourself, ask someone to help. Write in a journal and track your feelings through the year. It is a good way to take a break from homework, family, and friends to take time for yourself.

Reach out to a friend and be each other’s check up buddies. This is a good way to keep in touch with friends and help encourage each other through the tough year. It is easy to become a recluse when you are stuck in quarantine, so it is good to support each other.

Hiking is a great social distancing activity. Hiking also gives you a break from your home and gives you an excuse to go out into nature and away from home. I highly suggest Lake 22, as it is a gorgeous view at the top, and is a pretty intermediate hike. I was able to hike it with my dog and friend. I hiked it in tennis shoes, but hiking boots would be recommended.