By: Katie Raynes
I truly never imagined I would say that I miss being in a large sweaty lecture hall filled to capacity, cramped with little wooden desks which haven’t changed since the 1930s. As in-person classes are almost in full swing, I think back to the last time I was physically present, sitting in one of those ancient artifacts: March of 2020.
As easy as it is to reflect on this past year and a half as a student and solely think of it in a negative light, I have a lot of gratitude for everything that has come out of online school.
There are more takeaways than we probably even realize & we’ve grown in more ways than we even thought possible.
Online school has been a learning curve for every single person involved in the process. With the tremendous shift came a lot of ambiguity and the need for a great deal of flexibility. Agendas, syllabi, and schedules evidently did not go as planned; life happens, as it always does. With the shift to remote learning, we have learned to become adaptable to change. Learning to respond effectively and efficiently in a high-pressure environment has not only aided us in being more equipped and open to new ideas but also has allowed us to build resilience.
We have become more of self-advocates, navigating on our own. During this past year of online school, there may have been numerous occasions where assignments were unclear or content was confusing. While it was easy and effortless to physically ask questions to other students, TAs, or professors during or after class, online school pushed us to reach out and communicate independently; as our work ethic progressed, we’ve become better and more professional communicators, while also becoming more efficient problem solvers.
Looking Forward…
Take any and every opportunity offered.
With remote learning, I know many people can relate to the fact that they wanted to become more involved, yet there were not many opportunities granted. Out of everything being virtually online, I have come to appreciate that any experience is a good experience; while getting involved in a random activity, club, or association could seem like a waste of time or pointless, one opportunity leads to the next and can lead to new networking opportunities.
Prioritize what is truly important and find a balance.
Working online has put a great deal into perspective. With asynchronous classes and having to create our own schedules, we inherently prioritized what really mattered and what we needed to do. Prioritize the basics and what is meaningful for you; finding the balance between schoolwork, social life, and downtime is significant to our own success.
Take time for yourself.
While online school did not encompass the daily hustle and bustle of life, we had a lot of time to ourselves. Shifting to in-person classes will certainly be a hectic change, however, it is important to continue to take time aside for self-care; set time aside for yourself daily, whether that be reading a good book, binge-watching Netflix, or simply doing nothing and just being.
As we say farewell to online learning, we bring a newfound sense of flexibility, resilience, and self-advocacy, as well as an open mind and open heart.