Since school has started back up this fall, many college and university level students said they feel as though they are missing out on the true college and university experience due to most classes being taught remotely because of the COVID-19 outbreak.
Last year when students were applying, they didn’t have online classes in mind. Students were preparing for their college and university years to be on campus, partying, meeting their peers, and forming life-long relationships in person.
“I’m definitely missing out on things because my classes are online. One thing being the chance to actually meet my classmates, but I feel like the faculty for my program are doing their very best to give us the best experience despite it being online,” said Isaac Ayala, a first-year student in the Bachelors of Design program at Conestoga College.
Much of the student life is all about moving out for the first time, becoming completely independent and close with new roommates from all around the world, which isn’t happening this year either.
“I feel like I missed out on the university lifestyle. I was supposed to move out of my house because of the university, but with it being canceled I had to stay at home. I like studying at school and then going home with either little to no work to do, but now everything has to be done at home,” said Alicia Narain, a second-year student in the Global Business and Digital Arts program at the University of Waterloo.
No one is sure when COVID-19 will end, if at all. Teachers are scrambling to come up with lesson plans and assignments that can be completed online, or with minimal in-person contact, but it is not the easiest task for some.
“I’m enjoying my program so far, but it is very overwhelming. It would definitely be a lot better if it were taught in person because it is hands-on. However, with classes being online, it does give me a lot more time to focus on homework and my work schedule doesn’t conflict with it either since none of my classes are being taught on the campus,” said Emma Bedessee, a second-year student in the Graphic Design Advanced Diploma program at Conestoga College.
This year may not be what anyone expected it to be, but students and teachers are all trying their best to accommodate everyone and make it work no matter the challenges they face.
