It has now been over a month since students left campus for the last time, and as per Governor Abbott’s announcement April 17 it will be the last until next school year. This development along with the local, state, and country-wide stay at home and shelter-in place orders now leaves almost no out-of-house activities at all. For the last month, students have been finding ways to keep busy while they’re inside.

Since students are at home with limited resources, the internet and cell phones can be one way to pass time. The use of social media sites and such as Twitter, Instagram, TikTok and Snapchat can be one way of taking up time, along with gaming apps. On these social media apps, there have also been challenges that have been popping up, such as the Instagram story bingo or new Tik Tok dances as well. The easy access to online sources is also causing an incline in online shopping in some cases.

“I have been spending a lot more time on my phones and playing games,”  junior Serena Baeza said. “I’ve also been spending way too much money online shopping as well.”

The use of streaming services such as Netflix, Hulu, Amazon Prime, and Disney+, can be another way to pass time as well, These services included many tv shows and movies, and Disney+ is also streaming the movie “Onward” which was originally released in theaters March 6 before being moved to the platform after movie theaters closed. There have also been releases of Netflix Original shows such as “Tiger King” and “Outer Banks,” as well as popular shows like “Grey’s Anatomy” and “The Vampire Diaries.” 

“I’ve had a lot of time to watch new shows and movies, and also re-watch a few as well,” sophomore Katie Anderson. 

From trying new hobbies and doing crafts, this newly founded free time has also sparked creative juices in people as well. These crafts can be anything from a DIY fleece blanket to even cooking and baking. This free time has also led to new projects for people on their houses, including renovations. 

“I’m actually using this time to redo my room right now and it’s really exciting,” Baeza said.