Currently, there has never been a more interesting time to be a college student amidst a pandemic, a part of this is the notion of all colleges (at least in the U.S.) canceling their classes and shifting all their courses to an online format using video conferencing provided by companies like Zoom. This past week I have to adjust to online courses which I would like to explain my experience on this style of education as it seems to be a growing topic. (Note: I attend Loyola Marymount University in Los Angeles which is the picture above)
It’s been a full week as I write this that I have begun taking my courses online via Zoom. For starters it is without a doubt very convenient, I mean more convenient than I thought heading into it. My mornings now begin waking up around 9 am in the very comfort of my home (instead of my dorm which has been shut down like many across the U.S.) waking up from a well-rested sleep which then I make a trip to my bathroom (which is like 6 feet away) where I can shower and you know do everything else in preparing for the day. After getting ready I am able to head to my kitchen to find an assortment of food instead of relying on good ol’ peanut butter and jelly sandwiches to start my day. After getting a bite to eat I am now feeling refreshed, well-rested and filled with energy to get classes started.
Instead of having to walk to a particular class or building all I have to do now is go to my room close the door and turn on my laptop make a few clicks and there you have it I’m in a lecture with my fellow classmates (simple as that!). Now some teachers have to adjust to teaching online as many of my professors find themselves having to learn on the go which to some extent, I got to give them credit since so far, my professors seem to be on point quickly maneuvering their course structures to an all-online format. So, for the most part, online classes have given me convenience, comfortability, and energy needed to stay engaged in my education process.
As there are benefits of online classes there are some drawbacks which I would like to quickly share.
Lack of that “true” college experience
College is deemed as a unique experience due to the freedom one can achieve and friends one can hang and enjoy good times with, switching to an online format takes that away as everyone I know and hang out with are separated and back at their homes. Not to say I can’t hang out with them as we can voice chat but those in-person hang-out sessions just have that different experience to them as well as just engaging with students on an actual campus enjoying a college community.
Student Online Connectivity
The thing about online education is the requirement of having the proper equipment to participate. Online education requires an adequate home internet and a reliable computer which from what I have seen some students are not so lucky to have and therefore must overcome obstacles to continue in their respective courses. Mainly online courses are a bit demanding in regards to the necessary supplies which not everyone shares.
It has been only a week but so far online classes seem doable and that I have been enjoying them so far but there is still a considerable amount of time until my semester ends. Until then maybe I will write another post about this topic but thanks for reading and I would like to hear your thoughts on online education and what you feel are benefits and drawbacks from it.