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Archiving Your Story: COVID-19: How do I record my experiences?

Ways the Archivies Can Help

If you want to contribute but you are struggling to do it yourself, we are here to help!

We can help with ideas, archiving solutions, or even conduct an interview. 

Please reach out to archives@georgefox.edu.

Why should I document my experiences?

You may want to consider documenting your experiences for many reasons.

 Journaling over coffee

Documenting your experiences:

  • Can help you process what is happening 
  • Provides a way to share them with your friends and family
  • Gives you a way to remember the past
  • Can be a beneficial creative outlet

When you are experiencing a significant occurrence during your lifetime, documenting the experience in a way that is authentic to who you are can be very beneficial.

 

Documenting Your Experiences

Documenting your experiences can be done in many ways. We encourage you to take a look at some of these ideas and come up with a way to document your experiences that is most authentic to who you are.

Some ways of recording what you experience:

  • journaling
  • photography
  • scrapbooking
  • social media posts
  • make a video
  • write a song
  • interview others 
  • vlog
  • blog
  • poetry
  • create a piece of artwork
  • audio recording
  • podcast
  • make a zine
  • build something
  • collect the emails/paperwork that represent what you are experiencing
  • get creative!

Documenting your history does not need to be formal or academic in nature. You simply need to be willing to observe and record what is happening around you.

How do I archive...?

Questions worth asking

​If you are struggling to start recording your thoughts, here are some prompts that can help you reflect on this experience. 

  • What are your hopes and fears during this time? 

  • How have you prepared for this pandemic?  

  • How are the people around you responding?

  • What are your biggest concerns right now?

  • How do you view state, national, and international leadership right now?

  • What is your relationship with news outlets right now? Social media?

  • How did it feel to be told you had to leave campus? If you are one of the few students or employees that remained on campus, what is it like being at George Fox during this time?

  • Share your experience with online learning and/or teaching. What have the challenges been? What are the positives?

  • Are you able to work from home? How has the transition affected you and your family? 

  • Where are you physically located now? If in Newberg, what is it like being here at this time?

  • Who are you quarantined with? How is it going?

  • How has your routine changed?

  • How have you discussed these events with your family, friends, professors, colleagues?

  • How do you keep in touch with friends? 

  • What virtual/remote activities have you participated in (community gaming, remote watch parties, remote Bible study)? 

  • If you could offer advice to someone in the future about this time, what might it be?

  • How has this time effected your relationship with God?