By: BRYAN ROMBOT | Staff Writer
This year, the Coronavirus (COVID-19) has caused a massive shift on how we live and how we learn. After a lengthy stretch remote during the Spring Semester, LIU is back (sort of) in the world of a new normal.
But this ‘new’ normal, is not normal. The halls are quieter, the classes are smaller and the ‘new’ experience is unfamiliar, as classmates and instructors gaze at one another from a distance, whether in the classroom or through a computer. What do students think about this ‘new’ normal? Several students were asked these questions:
How are you handling your return to campus?
How did you handle online courses during the lockdown?
Do you prefer in-person or online courses? And why?
Here’s what four students had to say:
Kaitlyn Adams
1.How are you handling your return to campus?
“Well I dorm on Campus; so it's kind of like a blessing right now because I was home for so long, y’know in Quarantine. So it definitely feels better to be back. Kind of just going through everything. It’s a little weird because of how separated everything is but it’s not too bad. [I] kind of just do everything I can while being safe.”
2.How did you handle online courses during the lockdown?
“They were definitely very difficult because a lot of my professors; not a lot of them, a few of them were kind of just giving us the Powerpoint. It was almost like teaching ourselves. Yeah, so it was definitely more difficult and then on top of trying to teach myself; it was trying to focus at home when everyone else was at home and there’s five people in my house. Other than that, my grade didn’t get too affected; but it was difficult.”
3. Do you prefer in-person or online courses? And why?
“I don’t know; that’s a good question. I definitely like the In-Person classes because of being around people and kind of just being in that setting. But I also like the Online classes because sometimes I feel like I focus more when I’m online; [be]cause it’s right in front of my face instead of there being so many distractions when I’m in person. I would say; I prefer the In-Person classes though, in total I just like that experience [of] going to class; right now it kind of feels like I’m on my computer; all day.”
Student: Kylee Louissaint
1.How are you handling your return to campus?
“Um, it’s good. Kind of annoying at the same time because it is confusing.”
2. How did you handle online courses during the lockdown?
“I handled it very well during the lockdown. In the beginning it was rough, but I got used to it.”
3. Do you prefer in-person or online courses? And why?
“Right now I’m in person, but I’ll soon switch to Online 'cause it’s not the same campus vibe, like how it was in the beginning. In-person is cool, but I’m gonna switch online. If it was in-person with the old campus life, where you can sit in the Cafeteria, not be six-feet away, then yes; but now with certain circumstances, I would be online.
Student: Philip Bevers
1.How are you handling your return to campus?
“I’m handling it pretty well. I’m glad that I’m having in-person and on-campus classes and I hope that it stays and I’m hoping that our COVID cases stay the same and we can continue to stay on campus. It looks good right now.”
2. How did you handle online courses during the lockdown?
“It wasn’t too bad, in the beginning it was kind of tough, because it was such a shock, just like going to class every week; and suddenly nothing. But it was not bad.”
3. Do you prefer in-person or online courses? And why?
“In-person for sure, I learn better in person and hands-on, but also you’re also paying so much for getting collegiate classes; I would actually like to have them in-person not just going to a glorified Khan Academy online. Also it’s just like hearing someone talk in person. You, at least in my opinion, you absorb more information than just hearing it come from a screen. Also making direct eye contact with a Professor while he’s telling you something feels better for me.”
Sara Linda
1.How are you handling your return to campus?
“Normal. Just fine, it’s the same.”
2. How did you handle online courses during the lockdown?
“Annoyed. Okay, I’m not an online person, so it’s difficult for me.”
3. Do you prefer in-person or online courses? And why?
“In-person, because I learn better.”
Regardless, the ‘rona’ is writing the rules, rerouting routines and reshaping society. It is a relief for some to return back to campus, although it is a strange feeling now that campus is quieter. The Coronavirus could have crashed the class; but it will not crash the drive to learn.