Here we are, another month into this
pandemic with not so much of an end in sight. The warmer months seemed to give
us a burst of energy and hope, as we were able to slowly and carefully
introduce things back into our lives that we had to suddenly sacrifice without
much notice. Even though we were consistently warned that we were facing a
second round of the virus in the colder months, it still feels like a shock
that we’re slowly going back to the beginning.
Like so many New Yorkers, my family is far
away in different states and even time zones. Since March, I’ve cancelled
visits and trips to see them, and it’s been difficult watching my nieces and
nephews grow up over Zoom calls. It’s tough when I’m having a bad day and all I
want to do is talk to my parents. But I have to also remind myself that I’m not
the only one trying to manage this strange moment in time – I’m lucky that I
have the means to work in the safety of my own home and that I have the ability
to use all the capabilities of my devices to stay connected.
I do these little tricks throughout the day
and throughout the week to keep me going. That’s not to say that I don’t have
my hard days or that I don’t struggle with my anxiety or worry levels. But I
recognize that I also have to pay attention to my needs, now more than ever
before. Because I’m not seeing my family or my coworkers in person, I do what I
can to stay as connected as I can – within reason, of course. These little
tricks have helped me get through the monotony, where some days it feels like
it’s exactly the same as the one before it. While every person’s situations and
circumstances are different, you’ll be able to find out what works best for you
and your needs.
Rearrange your furniture
Never in my
wildest dreams would I have imagined that I’d be working from home full-time
for this long. When we realized that we weren’t going back to the office
anytime soon, I bought a desk, rearranged the layout of my apartment, and
created a spot for inspiration. About four months in, I did it all over again
and moved things around. It wasn’t easy, as I don’t have a lot of space and I
live alone, but doing this made me feel like I had a fresh take on the days. It
brought about a sense of change during a time when change might be something we’re
all craving.
Give in to your temptations for
a cozy home
We’re getting
into the brutal days of winter, which means that we’re going to be spending a
lot more time indoors, especially when we’re still in a pandemic. I’ve always
been a firm believer of making your home as comfortable as possible, but
there’s never been a more important time to do that than now. Don’t be afraid
to pull out all the stops. Layer on the blankets, splurge on those
cozy-smelling candles, and make your home as zen-like as possible. If we’re
going to be spending so much time indoors in the coming months, you might as
well make it as inviting and comforting as possible.
Make time for some you-time
This was
probably the hardest trick for me to implement, as it’s difficult for me to
turn my brain off and shut down. Especially since my apartment is now my
workspace, I find that it’s been more challenging to make that distinction
between my professional life and my personal life. So on the days I’m not
working or in the hours after my workday, I try to do something that truly
allows me to focus on my own time. Some nights, it’s watching mindless TV, and
other nights, I curl up with a book and tuck away my devices. A new thing I’ve
introduced is taking advantage of the extra time in my days without a commute,
which means that I’ve actually been taking bubble baths one night a week. This
has been really helpful, as I’ve been able to lose myself in the separation
(mentally, since I’m relaxing, and physically, since I’m in a different room!),
and I also find that this helps me sleep better at night, which is something I
think we could all benefit from.
It’s hard to believe that we’ve been living
with COVID-19 for as long as we have – on one hand, it feels like we’re all
still adjusting to this new way of life, but on the other hand, it’s hard to
imagine what life was like before COVID-19 became a part of our daily reality.
I’ve said this a few times over the past
couple of months, but I’ve never been more proud to be a New Yorker than now –
watching our city’s response to the seriousness of this pandemic and witness it
go from the worst place in the country to one of the best has solidified my
pride to be here. It’s rare that I take public transportation these days just
so I can keep myself and those around me safe, but when I do, I’m continue to
be impressed to see that every person is wearing a mask, is consciously
maintaining physical distance from one another, and is simply doing their best
to stay safe and keep those around them safe.
I wear my mask everywhere I go – it’s
become a part of my external batch of necessities: wallet, keys, phone, mask. I
also bring hand sanitizer with me at all times – if I’m in a grocery store, I
try to be mindful about everything I touch. Even if I go outside to take out my
trash, I try to think about how many other people in my building that have
touched those door handles in the same day. You’ve heard it a million times –
always be washing your hands, and pay attention to how often you’re touching
your surfaces and your face. It’s so simple, but SO IMPORTANT. We live in New
York City, which means that we all share so many things throughout the course
of one day. It’s so important to be as safe as possible.
I’ll spare you the obvious, like wearing a
mask and washing your hands and carrying hand sanitizer. So instead, here are a
few other rules of thumb to consider while living here in New York City so you
can stay safe and keep those around you safe as well.
Socialize in small groups
I know every
person’s circumstances are different when it comes to living space – maybe you
live with roommates or live in a different borough than your friends – but this
is the time to get creative when it comes to hanging with your friends. If a
member in your group has an outdoor space, declare that person the host! Bring
snacks, drinks, and games and have a night in instead of congregating at
outdoor bars. Not only will this keep you safe, but you’ll save so much money,
too. Be sure to dress warm and travel with layers, as November is the
unofficial start of winter weather!
Order takeout
By now, you’re
likely aware that the restaurant industry is struggling due to the dining
restrictions that the CDC has set in place. So this is the time to give those
delivery apps some attention! Not only will you be able to support local
businesses that value every dollar they get, but you’ll get fresh and amazing
meals delivered right to your door! Be sure to tip well, too, as people are
battling the outdoor elements to get your food to you quickly and safely –
especially now that the weather is getting chillier!
Set guidelines and rules for yourself
Over the past
couple of months as we’ve adjusted to all the phases of reopening, it’s been
very tempting to do ALL the things that I’ve wanted to do since the city shut
down. But again, I have to be very thoughtful and mindful of my safety and that
of others. Because I’m fortunate enough to be able to work from home for my
job, it’s easier for me to stay in during the week. So that I not only continue
practicing safety but also satisfy my urgency to socialize and visit with
friends, I reserve one day during the weekend to hop over to a different
neighborhood to visit and catch-up with those I haven’t been able to see. This
one-day-a-week has proven to be a successful practice, as I get to look forward
to that one night a week that I go out, and I also feel that I’m staying safe
and staying home as much as I can. Bonus: because I’m not going out as much as
I used to before COVID-19, I’m saving so much more money, too!
I’ve realized that I’ve reached a point
where I’m completely used to physical distancing and wearing a mask – it
certainly felt bizarre and uncomfortable for the first couple of weeks and
maybe even months, but you’re probably like me now, where it’s just customary.
In fact, when I’m watching TV or a movie and I see people together in large
crowds without masks, I cringe – of course I know that scene was filmed
pre-COVID, but it’s strange to think of a time when that’s how we all
congregated.
There are certain events or activities that
have changed due to the pandemic and the safety measures we have to take to
avoid large crowds. I miss catching a movie at the theater or traveling to see
my favorite band at a huge venue. I miss amusement parks and comedy shows.
While the true experience of those events have shifted, many of these
industries have pivoted their platforms to virtual experiences so that they can
continue bringing in revenue and you can continue to enjoy the event – it’ll
just have to be from your home!
I’ve pulled together a collection of
virtual New York City experiences happening in the month of November, but keep
in mind that one of the huge benefits of so many events going virtual is that
you’re not geographically bound to just the city! So do some research and see
what other events are being held that you can “attend” without even leaving
your couch!
Cocktail Making Class, November
1, 2020
I’ll be the
first to admit to you that I’ve been sipping on a little bit more wine since
we’ve been spending so much more time at home. And I’ve found myself missing
the days of ordering unusual drinks at bars and experimenting with something
I’ve never had while out on the town for dinner. If this sounds like you too,
you might be interested in this event, hosted by Eventbrite. In this virtual
event, you’ll learn a variety of classic and original recipes that you can
easily make at home and wow your guests the next time you have a low-key get
together. This is a great way to test out your own cocktail-making skills while
also adding a few more tricks up your sleeve!
Virtual Job Fair, November 10,
2020
No matter where
you are in your career, whether you’re still in school or thinking about a
career change, this event is one that you shouldn’t miss! The organizer,
JobFairX, has pulled together a wide variety of industries that are looking for
talented people to join their teams, and this virtual event will provide you
the opportunity to network and engage, share experiences, and broaden your
search capabilities. Since the pandemic has rocked our economy so drastically
in just a matter of months, the job market has shifted just as much – so this
is one you should be sure to attend!
NYC Trivia Night, November 10,
2020
Whether you’re
new to New York City or have been around for a few years, this event is a great
way to test your knowledge of the great Big Apple – against people from all
over the world, nonetheless! Since this event is strictly virtual, you’ll be
able to participate without even leaving your home! Order in takeout, crack
open a beer, and see how much you know! You can either play independently or
with a team, so be sure you have all those details ironed out before you
register so you can get ready to test your knowledge as soon as the day arrives.
Acting 101: Beginning Technique
and Scene Study, November 10, 2020
If acting is
something you’re serious about or if it’s a passion that you’re trying to hone
in on while living in this strange time, this might be the virtual event for
you. While this particular experience is a bit pricier than other virtual
events discussed so far, you’ll know that you’ll be getting the experience of a
lifetime. Check out all the other opportunities this group has if you’re
interested in other virtual events!
Zoom Comedy Show, November 28,
2020
If we’ve all
needed a laugh together, it’s now. If you need something to entertain yourself
following your Thanksgiving festivities, this is the place to “be”! With
comedians from some of the most well-known shows and networks, you’ll be set to
laugh your socks off! Be sure to register soon, because this event is filling
up quickly.
It’s almost hard to think about what our
world was like before COVID-19 became a part of it. I find myself referring to
the time before the pandemic as “pre-COVID” when I’m telling a story, which is a
strong indication to just how big of an impact this experience has been on all
of us. In an odd way, this pandemic is the one that that we’re all experiencing
on a universal level. Each personal experience is unique from the next, and
it’s certain that this is something that none of us will forget for the rest of
our lives.
Beyond the physical aspect of the pandemic,
the virus itself, this moment in time has impacted and affected so many factors
of our lives. One of the biggest ways that it’s taken a toll on is our mental
and emotional health. Whether we’ve lost our jobs or had to take pay cuts, or
if we’re far from family and live alone, or even if we’re already living with a
chronic condition and are having trouble accessing our primary health
specialist or our treatment – this experience is unique for each and every one
of us, and it’s more important than ever to make sure that we’re all taking
care of our mental health.
I consider myself one of the lucky ones. I’m fortunate enough to be able to work from home full-time without my pay being affected. While I still get to “see” my coworkers via Zoom, I’m certainly missing the in-person interaction that came with the office, especially with those that I don’t work that intimately with. Because I live alone, I relied on those day-to-day in-person interaction to fill the need of human intimacy – now that I don’t have that, there’s a level of daily loneliness that has increased.
I’m also the only one in my family that
lives here in New York City. My family members are spread out over the states,
so visiting them hasn’t been a realistic option for me. Again, I’m thankful for
our technology these days to keep us in touch, and with FaceTime and Zoom, I
can be sure to “see” them on a regular basis, but to the same idea above, it’s
certainly not the same.
Something else that I’m grieving that I
wasn’t expecting is the city itself. Sure, the past couple of months I’ve been
writing about how there’s still plenty to do and see here while we’re in the
middle of this pandemic, but I also won’t lie to you: it’s not the same.
Because I’m spending so much more time inside my studio apartment, there are
many days when I practically forget that I live in the best city in the world.
When I was commuting to work, taking the subway, transferring at Times Square,
and passing thousands of other New Yorkers a day, I truly felt like I was
making the most of my experience of living in this great city. Without that,
there’s a level of removal that I’m feeling – I feel like I miss the city, even
though I’m still here.
Paying attention to all of these new
feelings and emotions is crucial as we continue to move forward into the next
couple of months. I still maintain my weekly therapy sessions (virtually, of
course), and every week, my therapist starts off the conversation with, “How was
this week for you?” I come to those sessions every week prepared and take a
deep breath as I recount yet another week of living in quarantine. Sometimes,
my emotions are monotonous, just like my days. Often I’m feeling suffocated,
defeated, scared, lonely, and worried. There’s so much uncertainty in our world
these days that I feel comforted when she tells me that I’m not alone, that
these emotions are felt city-wide, state-wide, and worldwide. She urges me to
keep reaching out to my friends to talk, video chat, and connect. She urges me
to continue to count what I consider lucky while still thinking of others that
are struggling in different ways. She urges me to listen to my instincts and
write things out if I’m having a tough day. She’s also mentioned that if I ever
feel that I need additional help beyond what she’s providing me that I need to
tell her so that she can refer me to that additional expertise.
I urge you to do the same, as there’s not a
more important time to do this than right now.
As we just hit the six-month mark of living in a pandemic, I’ve been reflecting a lot lately on how much has changed in this short period. I joke with my coworkers how this whole journey has essentially felt like one long day, almost as if time simply doesn’t exist anymore. The punctuations of our days have been muted, and even my levels of productivity often feel lower than I remember. I live in a studio here in Manhattan, which means that my working space is in the same space as where I sleep, eat, and relax (at least try to). This has affected my outlook on my routines for sure, as the lines of my professional life have blurred with those of my personal life and vice versa. There are advantages to this, and of course, disadvantages.
No one knew that we would still be “in
this” for this long. And once we all realized that this pandemic was not going
to be short-term, I think we’ve all braced ourselves for the realities of our
future and what those look like. A lot of my friends and colleagues have left the
city for the freedom and open spaces of suburbia where their families live.
I’ve chosen to stick around – I love being in the city, no matter how different
or eerie it feels. I’m proud of how resilient us New Yorkers have been, and I’m
even more proud at how we went from being the epicenter of the virus just
months ago to the model of protocol and following safety procedures.
As our days in New York City continue, and as we face a very uncertain fall and winter due to flu season and colder temperatures, we still have plenty to look forward to here in the Big Apple. As long as we continue to practice our physical distancing and wearing a mask and simply just using our heads, we can still enjoy this amazing city to best of our abilities. And if you’re looking for ways to keep your English skills fresh and your practices sharp, there are still a ton of ways to put all of that to use as you enjoy New York City.
1. Stay fit and focused
As New Yorkers, we actually have quite a few options at our fingertips when it comes to staying active and in shape. When my gym closed in March, I had to adapt to new practices with what I had in my apartment – and finding the motivation was part of that new habit, too! On the warmer days, I did my best to do runs outside by the river or through parks just to get a change of scenery. It wasn’t awesome wearing a mask the whole time, but I got used to it. I also downloaded a ton of fitness apps to keep me motivated by activating reminders and establishing routine, which was super helpful. Now that gyms are open in the city but with heavy restrictions, you might be wondering what’s best for you. For me, I opted to continue down my own practices – not only has this helped me save money, but I also ultimately feel that it’s safer no matter what. At the end of the day, it’s up to you, but be sure to think about safety as one of your primary thought processes. If you’re looking for ways to keep you English practice fresh, so many of these apps are interactive, so you’ll be sure to keep your listening and comprehending skills sharp.
2. Outdoor and indoor dining
As our weather
changes in the coming months, we’ll start to see some changes around how we’re
operating both indoors and outdoors for dining. I keep seeing the dates change
here, but more than anything, I recommend approaching the coming months with an
open and flexible mind. So much of what we do next needs to be reactive so that
we know how to move forward as safely as possible. In the meantime, enjoy the
outdoor dining while we still have it, and if the day comes when we can move
indoors, continue to use your best instincts to protect yourself and those
around you. As always, interacting with the menus and the waitstaff is the best
way to keep your English skills practiced and up-to-speed. Be sure to also
support your local businesses by ordering take-out while you’re quarantining –
they need our help, too!
As we’re still facing the realities of
living in a pandemic, our regular routines and daily lives have shifted
significantly. While we’re certainly in a better place compared to March and
April, we continue to hear advisement around staying safe and the continuation
of physical distancing and slow advancements. We’ve learned a lot over the past
couple of months, and we’ll continue to learn more as our scientists and
researchers work on a vaccine and develop learnings so that we can treat this
virus and move forward stronger than ever.
Over the past couple of years, I’ve talked
to you all about the benefits of living in New York City while learning
English. There truly is no better place to be to immerse yourself in hundreds
of other cultures and languages, not to mention – it’s the best city in the
world!
Lately, I’ve shifted my tone to cater more
to the immediate needs of living in New York City during this COVID-19
pandemic. While I still think New York City is the greatest place in the world,
I understand that our tried-and-true methods that we’ve discussed over the
years may not be as applicable. My love for the Big Apple has probably even
grown after watching this great city overcome what once was the epicenter of
this horrible situation into a place that is now safe and compliant to the
orders of our administration.
According to the experts, we have a long
way to go until we can go back to what we consider “normal.” And even then, our
“normal” may be radically different than what we were used to just in January
of this year. In any event, we must continue to be safe and practice our
physical distancing so that we can continue on this positive trajectory.
For those of you that came to New York City to practice your English and are now currently experiencing this new life in the middle of a pandemic, we can still look to the fall and predict the best ways you can utilize your English practice in real life – without sacrificing your safety or the safety of those around you.
1. Take advantage of outdoor dining
While outdoor dining will start to slow down as the months get cooler, take advantage of this option as much as you can in the beginning of the fall. This is one of the best things to happen to New York City since the start of the pandemic, as businesses can open their doors again, the employees can start making their money again, and your friends and neighbors can enjoy the outdoor space and see the faces of their loved ones – with safety of course! This is a great time to utilize your English reading skills from the menu, practice your conversations with the waitstaff, and engage with your friends while enjoying a meal out. I always say that the best practice comes from real-world experience, so take advantage of this luxury while you can!
2. Did I mention the parks?
The parks in New York City are one of the greatest commodities that this island has to offer. Not only do you get the amazing greenery and scenery, but parks also give you the easy capability of physical distancing that you need to stay safe. Bring a large blanket, a few snacks, and be conscious of your surroundings. Everyone else around you should be practicing physical distancing as well, so you likely won’t have to ask anyone to move away. Enjoy the last remaining comfortable months outdoors, and bring a board game or a deck of cards and see how you can incorporate some English skills into it. Not only will you have fun in the fresh air, but you’ll be putting your skills to use in real time with a few laughs.
3. Simply take a walk
This is a
practice that even I need to do more of – so many of us are used to being
indoors so much now that even just getting outside for a walk can seem like a
treat! When you’re out walking, see how well you comprehend the street signs
and business names. When you pass restaurants, check out the menus they paste
on the windows. Not only will you get out of your indoor space that’s probably
driving you wild, but you’ll get some fresh air and get your English reading
skills some action.
When the coronavirus hit the US in early 2020, no one could have anticipated the world in which we all now live. We have spent the past couple of months trying to adapt to a new way of life that includes physical separation, wearing masks at all times, and forgoing activities that were once a part of our daily lives. I never thought I’d admit this, but I actually miss the act of daily commuting – it brought structure and routine to my day, and it provided a sense of purpose to each day. I recognize that I’m lucky enough to be able to work at full capacity from home and not everyone has that luxury, but adapting to no longer commuting was harder than I thought it would be.
I also feel like I’ve missed out on so much
of the city that I love. Because I’m spending so much time in my apartment,
I’ve missed out on the social gatherings, the park visits, and even
neighborhood bopping on the weekends with my friends. The sense of adventure
that the city always provided me is now missing. Luckily, New York City has seen
tremendous success after the physical distancing efforts and the sheltering in
place that we all did – which has led to us being allowed to interact with
others again – but, of course, with limitations. For me, I’m happy with that –
I’ll take anything I can get.
So that brings me to the next thought. What
do we do now? How do we move forward? What does our future look like?
I, of course, can’t answer all of these
questions. There are so many variables, and we don’t even know what next month
will look like, much less next week. This has left me feeling uneasy at times,
as I’m wondering when I’ll be able to see my family again. When will I be able
to return to the office? When will we see “normal” again?
This is a conversation topic that I see
happening all over the place. In our news articles, in social conversations,
and even in social gatherings – when we’re all sitting together, wearing our
masks, we can’t NOT talk about it. What does our new normal look like?
Here’s what I can offer:
1. Find connections – in any way that you can
If we’ve learned
anything since the start of this pandemic, it’s that we can’t sacrifice
caution. I don’t mean to find connection by mingling with a bunch of strangers
– but take advantage of the tools you already have to connect with others. For
the first time of our lives, connectively, this pandemic is the one thing that
we ALL have in common. This means that we’re all struggling with this in one
way or another, some more than others. Check in with each other, ask how your
friends are doing, and see if there’s anything you can do to help.
I celebrated my birthday during the pandemic, and I swear, this was the year that I felt the most loved – and I realized it’s because people knew that I was spending the day differently than anticipated. With our delivery tools and technology, showing someone you care is easier than ever. Who knew that my best birthday yet would be the one in which our world is upside down?
2. Be open-minded
Note that I said “open-minded” and not “optimistic.” I’m not saying there’s nothing to look forward to, but we simply just don’t know what our immediate future is going to look like. In March, when New York City was essentially shut down, I don’t think anyone anticipated that we’d still be feeling its effects into this late in the year. We have to wait and see. Be prepared for the worst, but celebrate the good. Is there a way to make lemonade from a lemon? We might see a day of low cases, but we might find the next day with a spike. We must continue to do what we’re doing with good spirit.
3. Be safe
I know that
we’re all fatigued with our situation. I know there are some days I’m feeling
mentally and emotionally defeated, wishing that this is all just a bad dream.
But it’s our reality, so I encourage you to continue practicing your physical
distancing, always use your mask, and don’t forget to send your virtual love to
friends near and far. It’s as important as ever.
No matter how long you’ve been in the city while learning and practicing your English, you know that the Big Apple is one of the most densely populated cities in the world. Because of how many people live and work here as well as its production value and epicenter for business, it’s constantly watched and monitored. From crime and education to technology and media, New York City is a hub for attraction and observation. When this location became the epicenter of the middle of the pandemic, all eyes were on us to see how we handle it and react. Our response would, in a way, set the tone for other cities to follow. Practically overnight, we had to be the example for the rest of the world.
While other cities and geographic regions
loosened their guidelines, we kept them in place. While other locations started
to reopen, we stalled. It felt painful and frustrating to watch other parts of
the country try to resume to some state of normalcy, but there was also a sense
of pride when it came to knowing that our city was taking the pandemic
seriously and would do everything in our power to flatten the curve and keep us
safe.
These practices proved to be successful, as
we’re now seeing that New York City has some of the lowest numbers in the
country, especially when taken into account how quickly we went from the
“worst” to one of the “safest.” We still have plenty of work to do when it
comes to operating at a “normal’ state, but in moments like these, I’m proud to
be a New Yorker.
How to take the next steps
Just as much the rest of the country was
watching us in the middle of the pandemic to learn how we would respond, now
we’re watching the rest of the country to inform us what NOT to do. We’re
learning that opening up in full swing is not safe, and we’re learning that
ongoing physical distancing practices must be maintained in order to keep
everyone safe.
What’s really rewarding for me to see is
watching us all hold each other accountable. We’re not afraid to tell our
community if we need to be wearing more masks, and we’re willing to provide
strangers with hand sanitizer at any moment. While in line at grocery stores,
we’re now in the habit of leveraging generous space between one another. Public
transportation and ride shares now have physical barriers between the drivers
to keep all passengers safe. When we meet up with friends, we skip the hugs and
just resort to elbow bumps.
We saw the effect that the pandemic had on
our world when it first became a reality, and New Yorkers are responding to
ongoing safety procedures with respect, which is why we’re now one of the
safest places to be in the world, which says a lot considering we used to be
one of the worst.
What you can do
Whether you’re a New York City veteran or a
newbie, you can continue this string of progress in your everyday activities.
Even though the city is opening back up inch by inch, we still must respect the
process and do what we can to keep our safety as our biggest concern.
Phone, wallet, keys, mask
Hey, I hate
wearing the mask, too. But now it’s a part of me, just like the rest of my
essentials. And I remind myself that everyone else hates wearing them too, and
we all feel a little silly, but if it helps, I’ll wear it. It’s my part to keep
myself safe as well as those around me.
Keep your distance
You’ve surely
seen all the visuals that tell us just how far the virus can travel and the
good that our masks will do in the prevention of the spread. In addition to the
mask, I’m still conscientious of how close I am to people while waiting in
line, taking out my trash, or just running an errand. Just as much as the
people around me don’t know my status, I also don’t know who around me may have
come into contact with the virus. In today’s time, better safe than sorry is a
practice that we should all inherit.
Sanitize
I know this
seems like an obvious one, but it’s so important. Before the pandemic, I wasn’t
really aware of how many things I touched in the span of leaving my apartment
in the morning and coming back home at the end of the day. Between handrails,
subway poles, doorknobs, buttons, etc….I was touching a lot! Granted, I’m not
going into the office these days, but anytime I leave my home, I’m much more
aware of what I’m touching.
The realities of living in the middle of a pandemic have proven to be a learning experience for everyone around the world. As the threat of health safety continues to be an ongoing presence, you’ve likely encountered a few ways in which your life has shifted to adapt to these changes. In New York City, since our communities are so densely populated, we have experienced arguably the largest sting of changes, as physical distancing and the shelter-in-place regulations have forced us to change the way we operate on a daily basis.
For the New York English Academy, we have
adapted to these changes to best serve our students, teachers, and communities
without sacrificing quality education or the safety of our communities. Since
we live in a time when our technology and devices have allowed us to connect in
ways that weren’t necessarily possible 10 years ago, we’re able to utilize
those features into our day-to-day operations. While our lesson plans have
surely shifted to cater to a digital classroom experience, our core values and
mission have remained the same.
Our students are our priority, and ensuring
that everyone stays safe and protected from the dangers of COVID-19 is
paramount for us. We quickly shifted to digital platforms that allow our
instructors to continue interactions with their students, and monitoring
participation and engagement have allowed us to better understand what works
and what needs additional attention.
As an educational institution, we
understand that part of the experience of learning with other people is the
interaction with one another. This interaction could certainly be
education-related, but it could also be forming bonds with one another based
off shared experiences. Learning and living in New York City is such a special
and unique experience, and bonding with others that are familiar with that
journey can be extremely beneficial to personal growth and long-term
friendships.
Sheltering-in-placing and experiencing
academic journeys at home can be challenging and also a bit isolating. It’s
normal right now to feel an increased sense of longing for company from others
and an increased desire to connect with other people. Communication platforms
like Zoom have shown increased activity during the time of COVID-19, as people
have shifted from in-person social gatherings to digital group hangs on these
platforms to “see” their loved ones and share updates with one another. What
started as a business tool for companies to hold virtual meetings with one
another across multiple office locations has turned into a widely used consumer
product for people to stay in touch with friends and family.
At New York English Academy, that sense of
isolation and increased desire to see one another started to become very
apparent for several individuals within our organization. To lift spirits and
bring people “together” at a time when interaction was decreasing, engaging
Zoom interactions started to sprout up. From study sessions with students and
teachers to social “happy hours” and “game nights,” the New York English
Academy community started to leverage Zoom’s capabilities outside of the
classroom.
Zoom has helped students interact with one
another to form study group sessions or just recap a lesson if additional help
or guidance is needed. What we’ve noticed is that people are starting to get
even more creative around how they use Zoom to stay connected with one another
and entertained in this new and unusual environment. Here are a few ways to
stay entertained during this odd time while staying connected with your New
York English Academy community.
Zoom Celebrations
In New York City, most of us are now over 3
months into living in quarantine. This means that a lot of us have missed
monumental moments in our lives, from weddings and vacations to birthdays and
even meeting new family members after birth. This is how Zoom has helped bring
people together. I’ve attended quite a few Zoom birthday “parties” now, and a
friend of mine even got legally married over Zoom. Our circumstances may have
forced us to change the way in which we celebrate with one another, but we’re
lucky to live in a time when our technology and devices can give us the next
best thing to in-person gatherings. It’s hard to think about it now, but
certainly, one day, we’ll all look back at this odd time in our lives with
appreciation and gratitude that we had the tools that we do now to keep us
connected.
Zoom game nights and creativity
When COVID-19 became a regular force in our
day-to-day lives, my friends and I would “get together” once a week over Zoom
to talk about our weeks, reminisce about a time before COVID-19, and to just
“see” each others’ faces. When these sessions first started, it felt odd to me
that this was our new reality, but we all quickly adapted, and soon enough, I
was looking forward to those weekly catch-ups to see my friends. In an odd way,
those weekly calls brought us together even closer, as we were all experiencing
the same struggles in real time – together.
After a few weeks of these social sessions,
however, it almost seemed as though we were running dry. We were sick of
talking about COVID-19 – one of my friends lost her job, and another group of
friends were on the brink of losing theirs. As much as we knew that we all had
each others’ backs no matter the circumstances, we were also craving for some
distraction from the realities that COVID-19 placed on us. So we started to
play games!
There are a ton of games available that are
not only entertaining but will help you get to know your friends and fellow
students even better! Browse the app store to see what kind of games are
available where all participants can log in at once and play together. Another
way to keep the entertainment going is to nominate someone each week to host a
trivia session. These are easy to create, as there are tons of resources
available online that will help you concoct these sessions and make them
entertaining. There are ton of themes available, and you could even make them
English-related if you wanted to make the trivia sessions informative as well.
New York English
Academy recently hosted their own version of a trivia night, complete with a
Hollywood theme. Not only did this allow the students to flex their English
muscles, but because it was pop culture themed, everyone had a blast without
feeling like they were in a formal educational setting. This allowed students
and instructors alike to relax a bit and just engage with one another on a person-to-person
level.
Key Takeaways
COVID-19 has forced
all of us to think about how we live our lives in different ways. By now, after
a few months of adapting to this new way of life, we’re all learning about
ourselves and also how we operate as students, instructors, administrators, and
even just people. It certainly hasn’t been easy, especially considering that
peoples’ lives are on the line and our future as a society is so uncertain.
Living in New York
City, a hotspot in so many ways, has probably also affected the way you all are
living your daily lives. Losing the value of human in-person interaction has
likely forced you to explore other options of connection and collaboration.
It’s not always easy to be forced to think outside the box, but if anything,
this pandemic has helped prepare us for the future. We now know that life can
continue – it just has to be shifted a bit. For me, as a lover of this great
city, it’s hurt my heart that I can’t explore it like I used to. I hate to see
stores shut down and public transportation empty. What once was a lively city
seemed to turn into a remote and desolate place to be.
If I can leave you
with any hope, however, is that we will rebuild and recover. New Yorkers are
tough, and we are resilient. We will come out of this stronger than ever, and
your relationships with friends, your fellow students, and your New York
English Academy community will be stronger than ever because you all endured
this unique moment in history together.
Be thankful for your
health, and be thankful that we live in a time when our technology can allow us
to keep going. Cherish your human connections, as when this is all over, you’ll
be so grateful to have them. Stay connected with your New York English Academy
community, because one day, you’ll want to reflect on this time together with
gratitude and hubris. Take advantage of the tools you have – you’ll appreciate
the human connection, and be sure to lean on those relationships as we continue
to navigate this new way of life – whenever and for how long we continue with
it.
Our world has certainly been forced to change due to COVID-19. We now have measures in place to keep us safe from the virus, and we’re practicing new processes and operations to maintain any sense of normalcy that we can. Companies have been forced to migrate their model to cater to a work-from-home capability, and delivery services have skyrocketed so people can continue to get their essentials without leaving home. We’re living in a new world as we know it, and the presence of COVID-19 in our lives is going to change everything as we know it.
We are Online together.
Education is a category that has
been affected by COVID-19 and the way in which students and instructors
interact and engage with one another. Since the in-person model is no longer an
option, digital and virtual capabilities are now being used to share lessons
and incorporate learning behaviors. It’s entirely different, especially for the
systems that hadn’t been using virtual options before. But now, across the
world, students are “logging into” their classrooms and finding new ways to
learn and adapt, and teachers are adapting their lesson plans to fit a virtual
mold.
Whether you’re new to the New
York English Academy or if you’ve been a student for some time, you’re probably
wondering how these new circumstances have affected the curriculum and the
learning structure. Luckily, similar to other institutions, the school has
adapted quickly to fit this new way of life so students and teachers alike can continue
their original goal of teaching and learning English in an adaptable
environment. Here are a few ways and strategies that the new classroom
experience integrates into the daily structure.
Attendance and participation
At first thought, it might be difficult to imagine a virtual setting and having the ability to monitor attendance as well as productivity levels. Since technology products like Zoom have proven to be an effective platform for interaction, New York English Academy have joined the ranks of other top educational institutions when it comes to virtual learning. Instructors can visually check attendance by seeing who is present at the start of the class, and with additional features within the platform, like chat and breakout rooms, instructors can then monitor participation and engagement there.
Student-teacher communication
We’ve
lost the ability and luxury of in-person conversations, whether it’s formally
during class or casually in passing throughout the campus. This kind of
interaction is surely a benefit to in-person learning, but as we adapt to the
new world and have to rely on virtual learning until further notice, there are
ways that our virtual capabilities can still be beneficial for learning. New
York English Academy supports a wealth of communication strategies in addition
to Zoom; instructors can make themselves available through one-on-one video
chat or phone calls, email supports 24/7 outreach, other vetted messaging apps,
and Schoology – which will helps support students and teachers within the
system for lesson planning, sharing documents, and connecting with one another.
Even though this new world may not be ideal for the full experience of
communication, our technology certainly allows us many other ways for
connection and continued learning.
Student-student communication
A
benefit of any kind of academic setting is the opportunity to engage with other
students. Sharing ideas, providing feedback and constructive criticism, and
refining social skills have always been true values of learning with other
like-minded students. Again, missing out on the in-person value of this can be
difficult, but with all the available tools listed above, students can utilize
a multitude of resources to connect with each other. Plus, since students don’t
need to worry about the appropriate boundaries between a student and a teacher,
they can find each other on social media platforms and operate as social
classmates, too.
Instruction abilities
Being
in a physical classroom allows for various ways of teaching, through lecture,
shared technology features, or the classic whiteboard/chalkboard capabilities.
Physical handouts and sheets are unfortunately no longer an option, but again,
our digital and virtual options certainly allow for valid substitutions for
these. Zoom has a whiteboard function so that instructors can continue their
lesson distribution, and students can continue to take notes and emulate the
main ideas into their own notebooks. Zoom also has the screen-sharing
capability so that participants in the class can see in real-time the same
content as everyone else in real-time. With the cloud platform, students can
also share materials with one another and collaborate in those same materials
at the same time, which can actually increase productivity and help streamline
projects and learning curves.
Classroom atmosphere
Physically
traveling to campus and attending classes in-person might seem like a thing of
the past already, as by now, many of us are used to a virtual learning and
productivity atmosphere. It can be difficult to imagine how the in-person
experience migrates to a virtual experience, but there are so many ways in
which students and instructors can engage with one another while learning the
content that is designed for the class. With scheduled video conferences,
instructors can engage in valuable facetime with the students via lecture or
engaged conversation. This is the opportunity for students to ask questions
directly to the instructor while the other students are present, and it allows
for the opportunity of an open discussion. There is also independent work,
similar to what was expected out of physical classroom learning – this is the
work that students must do in their own time, applying what they learned during
class in their own practice. In addition, there is also the option for students
to work with one another in small groups or one-on-one, which enhances the
learning process while encouraging practice of the spoken English phase of the
program.
Assignments and homework structure
This
is another area in which digital and virtual learning can benefit for students.
Just like in a physical setting, New York English Academy expects its students
to do work outside of the class in their own time. This tests their ability to
apply their learnings into independent thinking, as if it were a test to see
how well they comprehend the lessons. Depending on the structure of each class,
it’s typical that students are assigned a weekly writing assignment, which
helps determine the level of understanding of the written English language. In
addition to a written piece, there is also a weekly speaking assignment to
determine the level of comprehension of the spoken English language, which can
be done over Zoom or even phone calls if need be. Depending on the class and
how far along the student is in the program, this structure might change, but
typically, the New York English Academy works to deliberately make the virtual
experience as similar to the physical version as possible.
Testing and examination structure
It
may be difficult to think about how students are going to be tested without an
in-person atmosphere, but surprisingly enough, there are a multitude of ways
that students can be tested on their learnings and comprehension. In this new
world, it might be stressful to think about all these changes in addition to
the natural stress that may come with testing, but malleability and flexibility
is a skill that all adults require, so students can think about this as a
method of adapting to life adjustments as well. In today’s world, there are
many platforms that support private testing options so that instructors can
guarantee students are adhering to testing policy while also maintaining their
security and privacy. Since New York English Academy also assesses all aspects
of English learning, testing also includes verbal, reading, listening, and
writing English, which means that Zoom conferences with the instructor can
satisfy many of these requirements, and with the cloud platform and
screensharing, instructors can monitor that testing is done honestly and
fairly.
Administrative capabilities
Instructor and teacher communication can be done easily and honestly with today’s digital and virtual capabilities, and while this atmosphere may not be ideal for everyone, it still supports the ability to complete the program and advance to higher learning. For additional communication with other departments beyond teachers, students can also interact with other members of the institution, like financial aid, admissions, and others in a digital or virtual fashion. This ability to access communication to other key players in a student’s progression means that students won’t have to worry about any delay in processing or movement throughout the program beyond the classroom. We’re all in a very odd and uncertain time right now, and safety and health should be the most important factors of all citizens. If you’re practicing physical distancing but want to continue the progression of your education, New York English Academy has adapted quickly and accordingly so that current and prospective students alike won’t have to worry about any kind of progression for their educational or professional future. You can rest assured that your studies will go on as scheduled, and you’ll be able to pursue your goals, even in the middle of a pandemic.
