Student Life During an Ongoing Pandemic

Empty streets, ghost towns, masked faces and millions dead.  No, this isn't a movie.  This is real life, welcome to 2020.  This is the reality of life for people all over.   Add on the extra responsibility of education for college students; it's the perfect recipe for a mix of emotions.    With millions diagnosed and thousands dying dailly, it's hard to balance college life with a very real and fatal disease going on.  But the show must go on in regards to school.    

When the virus first came into the United States many were quick to denounce its presence, while many including colleges & universities were quick in coming up with plans for the current and future students and their academic curriculum.  Zoom ahead several months into the future (no pun intended) and colleges including Buffalo State are now  teaching remotely from home.  This virus has caused a division in how people feel.  Some feel happy with being taught at home while some are furious. 

The Zoom application has become mainstream for setting up video class calls for students.  With this app, some become socially awkward and uncomfortable showing themselves and choose to keep their camera off as they listen to lectures.  On the contrary, some take this for granted and see this as a way to goof off or distract others with their silly antics.  While being taught in a classroom setting in person students can mingle and talk when necessary to their peers.   However, with zoom one sudden gaze for even a split second may cause the perception to others that you’re not interested or being rude.

Having online classes is great for those that are introverts.  What better way to earn a degree than in the comfort of your home while getting cozy on the couch with a snack and soft music in the background.  With technology being accessible more than ever you can take school with you in your pocket.  Stuck in traffic, at the store, or at  your friend’s house?  No worries, with the current status of remote learning anyone can join the Zoom class with their phone via the code.  Technology is advancing and improving which can be both a good or bad thing.  With the current status of online learning it's absolutely possible to actually learn during the pandemic, but it takes a different type of dedication and focus.  With assignments, projects and lectures being online it can be a temptation to go down the rabbit hole of online learning and wander off to surf the web for fun.  The key is to concentrate and not get distracted.  Work first, play later.  

Another key thing to remember is that some teachers may not be very good with technology.  A good majority of college students however are the complete opposite and can get frustrated with an adult’s lack of use with Zoom or other online resources.  Give the teacher time to learn.  After all, with online learning it's a learning experience for all of us.