It’s our nature to need others
I basically spend my entire time studying.
When school closed in March, I began taking online classes to prepare for the Exame Nacional do Ensino Medio, Brazil’s high school national exam. I have classes at night, and in the morning I study what I learned there and in the afternoon I do exercises in workbooks. I use Discord, an online platform, to study with friends.
Fortunately, I live in a house with a very supportive family. I don’t have any other responsibilities other than studying. Of course, it’s still my duty to clean my room and do the dishes, but it doesn’t keep from my routine. I’m capable of learning by myself with the right orientation. I love being able to make my own schedule.
I’ve started reading a book called “365 Days that Changed the World.” I talk with my father about it; he knows I'm doing this so I can write better essays, so we discuss it every night. My dad usually answers all my questions in a way that is more interesting than when I look things up online. My aunt is my teacher at school so she grades my essays. My sister compares her answers to mine when we’re doing exercises. I love that I have the economic resources to study like this and a family that cares enough to do it with me.
I have a desk with my computer right beside my bed. I share a room with my sister, so I get the desk for half of the week and she gets the other half. When I'm not at my desk, I'm probably studying on my bed or at the dinner table.
I’ve been trying to include more physical exercises and a habit of eating healthy during this period, since I have more time to focus on myself. I’ve also started to knit because it helps with my anxiety. I’m definitely more stressed than before.
The thing I most miss about from school is being able to talk to my teachers and friends in person. I miss the interaction between the class and the teachers. I miss how we helped each other out.
It’s our nature to need other people. I guess we just never realized how important that was for our learning.