Personal experience with online vs. in-person classes

Photo illustration by Kylee Weber

With COVID-19 looking like it’s not going away any time soon, students like myself are experiencing an educational experience unlike any others in the past. 

At the beginning of the school year, classes started out in person, and things seemed to be going well. Some professors did a split schedule of online classes and short in-person classes to go over things in the class. 

My classes are relatively small, so most meet in person twice a week. But two of them meet online one day out of the week to give a full lecture. 

Ever since we went completely distant-learning in the spring when COVID first hit, I learned that I don’t do well with online classes. There are far too many distractions when I am not in a classroom setting. 

When in a class that is taught over Zoom or Blackboard, I can be distracted by my phone. Sometimes when a class is being taught, I can doze off and just mute the screen so I don’t have to listen to things. I don’t turn on my camera unless asked to -- no one else usually has their cameras on either -- and it makes it seem like I’m in a class with just me and the professor. It’s not a good learning environment for me.

In-person, I’m able to better interact with my professors and colleagues. Seeing them physically helps me pay attention, too. It also allows professors to actually see me if I’m on my phone or not so they make sure I’m paying attention in class. I can hold myself more accountable when in a classroom. 

With having split classes, I’m constantly switching the ways that I learn. I can’t wait till the day where we won’t have to worry about being online or in person.

Remember to wear your masks, wash your hands and to stay safe!