All you all know, today is the first day in yet another lockdown.  The first lockdown felt so strange, with everyone trying to adjust to a way of studying, working and living which was so alien to normal life.  The second lockdown is slightly less restrictive than the first, but it still has the power to throw up some uncomfortable thoughts.

Young people may be worried about elderly friends and relatives, concerned about the effect that Covid may have on the upcoming exam season and anxious about the thought of missing out on social interaction with their friends as well as having to give up other activities such as going to the gym.  Unfortunately, Covid is unlikely to go away anytime soon.  People have developed many strategies to get through this difficult time, with the first lockdown bringing out a “Blitz spirit” among many communities.  I have been reading a lot of accounts of how young people have managed to get through the lockdown and still end up smiling, and here are some of the ideas I have gathered:

• Try to reframe a negative event as something positive.  They say that every cloud has a silver lining, and lockdown could be the opportunity to learn a new skill or connect with your family.  For those who are applying to UCAS this year and who still haven’t sent their applications off, this could be an idea time to complete a MOOC or do some further reading to help with your personal statement
• Enjoy the feeling of saving your pocket money or money from a part-time job.  Without being able to spend your money on clothes shopping or at Pizza Express on a Saturday evening, you can start saving for something special like driving lessons or a post-examination holiday.  If you can avoid the temptation of online shopping, a month without the usual mindless consumerism of constantly shopping for things we don’t need and that end up in landfill can be very refreshing - and good for the environment too
• It can be easy to become lazy about social contact, and to then end up feeling lonely and out of the social loop.  Do keep in contact with friends online, or by meeting up outside while still following the rules
• Be sensible, but at the same time, don’t panic.  Covid is a pandemic and we must change our behaviour, but there is still a very low death rate.  It is important to still attend College unless there really is a pressing reason why you can’t.  Keeping a normal routine really is good for mental health
• Lockdown can unfortunately have some sad effects for some families, leading to higher rates of issues such as mental health concerns, domestic violence and job losses.  If you need to talk to someone, then do.  If you are at EIC then you are welcome to come and talk to me anytime.  All schools will have a member of staff in charge of pastoral welfare, so please don’t feel that you have to suffer alone
• One way to help your own resilience is to throw your energies into helping other people rather than focusing on yourself.  The students at EIC are currently planning a charity run for Remembrance Day, as well as planning to write letters to elderly people in care homes.  There is always someone who is suffering more than you, and it is important to be outward focused and to think of others.
• Hopefully this will be the last lockdown and we can all look forward to socialising with family and friends over the Christmas holidays.  Whatever happens though, life will go on, and perhaps being without the things we enjoy for a short time period will make us enjoy those things even more when we get back to normal life.