Consuming What Can Possibly Consume You.

Some people see the world as an infinite number of prize fights, each with one winner and one loser. For them life is an unending series of zero-sum games. But an example of something that is not a zero-sum game, and can never be is a global pandemic. Someone else’s sickness is not a gain but a threat.

Corona Virus striking Pakistan, sent most parts of the country inside their homes to observe social distancing in all seriousness. But what is our nation if it could follow rules made only to ensure the safety of its own. As major metropolises of the country came under a forced lockdown it brought back memories of the time when a call from a certain political party would shut down the whole city; violence, chaos or bad rainwater management would become an excuse for a day off.

A chaotic order closed down schools, colleges and universities across Sindh till further notice as a preventive measure to stop the spread of the diseases. Are we on vacations? When shall we have our exams? Will the semester continue or not? These are some of the many questions that buzz through every students mind but most of it is unanswered due to ambiguity of the situation we are in. Students from Karachi thought they out lived the days where uncalled for holidays were always relished by the nation but now were nothing but nostalgia. Somehow we have found a way back to the same era of staying at home and waiting to get back to our respective education institute. But, are we actually having enough days of study in the first place? 

For the past year of 2019, the estimate of number of classroom days as compared to the holidays in education institutes across Karachi was thought-provoking as it evaluated that contrary to popular belief students have more holidays throughout the year.

Even though the flow of academic year, remains a matter of intense debate between institutes and Ministry of Education, a rough estimate of days off in private and public sector institutes of Karachi from schools to universities can be made. There were 52 Saturdays which are generally non-working for government and private schools along with private colleges. 61 days were off for all institutions in which there were 53 Sundays and 08 gazetted holidays like Kashmir Day, Pakistan Day, Labour Day, Independence Day, two days of Ashura in Muharram, Eid-i-Miladun Nabi SAW and Quaid-i-Azam Day.

On an average 92 days of summer and 10 days of winter vacations were given to students across all institutes. Schools, colleges and universities including private and government were estimated to have around 134 holidays in total.

The exams days on an average were 35 where teaching activities are usually suspended. 

A Student from Karachi ultimately ends up spending 45% of the year in a classroom. And this is the statistic without taking into account the classes that the students bunk on their leisure and the ones they get free due absence of teachers. An intense world cup match or a beautiful weather, anything can be the reason for suspending teaching no matter at what level the student is at. Extra-curricular activities like sports days and students weeks from primary to university level take a few days off the year as well.

A conservative count would at least measure these to up to 15 % of the year, leaving us with only 30% of the year to study.

In addition to the debate of increasing classroom days one must focus on consuming the available holidays in effective learning. There are a lot of activities that can keep one busy during the time spend at home and teach essential skills as well.
Here are some suggestions:

Calligraphy/lettering

Recall all the times when you reprimanded yourself for not being able to write in a fancy way, and instead had to ask others to do it for you to make all those greeting cards look appealing. Improving handwriting might help out in more ways than one and would leave an impression beyond the message. Plus, it’s therapeutic to leisurely make your way through a calligraphy worksheet. It is not an expensive activity and you can turn it into a business idea.

Gardening

Apart from helping the environment become better and growing your vegetables for saving on the pocket. Gardening can also help as a tool to decorate your house; an idea you were otherwise probably too busy to entertain. Recycle bulbs by planting flowers in it, Convert mason jars into lanterns for outdoor spaces, string lights around trees or plants in your garden, put up bird houses or paint old flower pots new.

Self-Grooming

Most of us find ourselves complaining about how doing nail art or make up is just not their forte and would show up to events with their usual selves. Well, guess what? All skills are attainable with constant practice and this time of social isolation is the best to do so. Learning basics of all parlor treatments and getting well skilled in latest hairstyles will only do benefit in the future. What’s better than a couch potato, is a pretty couch potato. Other than that, focusing on daily yoga is always good for the mind and the body.    

Intellectual Gain
Classical movies and literature from the Victorian era are always given less priority in our lives whereas they prove that humans throughout history haven’t evolved in the way they treat their relationships. This is the time to read and reflect back on nature and history. Not only this but through online courses new languages can be learned as well, which opens a gateway to a whole new world. Other than that, reading books and reviewing them for authors can also get you a freelance job.

There is a lot more from where these ideas came from, but for a start catch up on all the pending household work, make a family scrap book, knit or crochet a scarf, brush-up your painting skills, start some home improvement projects. This time right now, is all the time that you have. Who knows? We might not have tomorrow.