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
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:
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.
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.
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