MANILA, Philippines ? If you?re one of the unlucky ones whose classes have been suspended due to the A(H1N1) flu, then chances are, you?re stuck at home with virtually nothing to do. Yes, unlucky?having your classes called off on account of a potentially deadly virus is definitely not something to celebrate (and oh, it?s a really bad idea to try to infect each other in an attempt to get classes cancelled; we?ve seen it happen).

If you?re from a school such as Ateneo or La Salle, which barely started classes before suspending them for a couple of weeks, it can get pretty tempting to start filling your social calendar during the rest period?after all, there isn?t much work to do yet for school. But keep in mind that hanging out with your friends in malls and other crowded places pretty much defeats the reason for suspending classes, so look for ways to spend your extended vacation wisely.

How can you while away the (potentially) boring hours at home without spending all your time on Facebook or DVD marathons? Here?s 2bU?s list of things to do when school?s cancelled on account of the flu?we admit that some of them may be pretty geeky, but hey, if you haven?t noticed by now, nerds rule the world. Plus, you?ll earn brownie points with your parents.

1. Get a head start on homework

Wait, don?t stop reading! This is something that smart kids, not just hardcore nerds, do. If you?re using a textbook that you know you?ll be going through chapter by chapter anyway, with problem sets, essays and activities that you know you?ll have to eventually do, it?s a good move to get a head start. Not only will you have more time to figure out the stickier parts of the homework (no stress of having to turn it in the next day), you?re also giving yourself more time to relax in the coming year. Plus, imagine the look on the face of your teacher when you confidently answer questions in front of the class without scratching your head or asking your seatmate for answers.

2. Whip up something tasty

You?re more susceptible to the flu when you?re not on a nutritious diet. Ditch the potato chips and fizzy drinks and bring out your mom?s cookbooks. Spend an afternoon sharpening your culinary skills with
healthy dishes such as gourmet salads, fruit smoothies, and fiber-rich goodies like oatmeal cookies.

3. Curl up with a book

This might come in handy once you have to start filing book reports for English class; check out your school?s required reading list and see if there?s anything interesting, so you don?t have to cheat your way through Shakespeare and Noli Me Tangere with Cliff Notes. If you?re not exactly set on doing advanced reading, return to easy-reading favorites such as ?Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince? just in time for the movie.

4. Start a project

It doesn?t have to be something school-related. Embark on a long-term project that you can sustain throughout the year (or even beyond school). Start a blog on something you?re interested in, like music or computer games or clothes?you?ll be surprised at how interesting research beyond the library can be. For graduating students, start thinking of your thesis topics and draw up a plan so you know how to distribute your work throughout the year.

5. Rev up with a workout

Exercise is another way to strengthen your body, so get off the couch and switch off the TV. Go running, play badminton, do anything to get your body moving; if you?re not an outdoors person, pick up an exercise video game such as Wii Sports. At least when you get back to school, you?ll be more fit and won?t have to wheeze your way through P.E.

Email the author at biancaconsunji@yahoo.com