This year the first semester at James Logan High School kicked off in a completely different way from normal years: all classes were administered online. After school was closed in March of 2020, students have now started the new school year at home. Mixed feelings abound for this novel form of schooling, which has redefined the academic experience as we know it.
“It’s definitely different from how it usually is, but over time, it’s adjustable,” says Lucy Gong, a sophomore at Logan. “With the current block schedule we have, it’s a bit less stressful, but sometimes I feel like it’s [also] a lot more stressful, especially on Mondays.”
“I was really skeptical about how the year was gonna go,” states Mesha Mittanasala, also a sophomore at Logan. “The first week of school, I kept getting Canvas tutorials throughout all my classes. But as the second and third week went on, it was pretty well. There wasn’t a lot of homework being laid on me until maybe the third week when everything was finalized and everyone knew what they were doing.“
Although it is still relatively new to students, virtual learning has some unexpected benefits. “Having the homework due at a later time than what it usually would be is definitely a plus for me,” observes Gong.
“Actually, Speech and Debate benefited a lot from [the lockdown]. Now, we have so many more opportunities to go to different tournaments since it’s online. We’re going all over the country and it’s perfect because there’s no cost [for] trips,” says Mittanasala.
However, as expected, these benefits came with many inconveniences. “It’s harder to grasp concepts online, especially languages, because [classes] are 80 minutes long and we have really big periods. Sometimes, I just start drifting away because there’s so many distractions at home,” states Mittanasala. “Also, I’ve been procrastinating so much more than I have in the past. Work piles up, and that’s where it becomes a big hassle.”
“There’s always technical difficulties,” Gong said. “[You’re] put into the waiting room, and sometimes [you’re] let in without even knowing.”
On top of that, the mental toll of virtual learning is becoming more and more apparent. “Staring at a computer screen is really draining,” states Mittanasala. “After school, I’ll be so dead.”
In response to these obstacles, students are also finding more solutions. “I just realized that Apple has a filter for blue light,” adds Mittanasala. “Before I discovered that, it was just so mentally draining and I wanted to sleep right after school.”
“Also, another tip is that if you look at any other screens during breaks, it adds to the exhaustion. I tried one day where I didn’t go on any devices during those 15 minutes, and I was so much more productive. These devices are such time killers.”
Although we are navigating through the ins and outs of online schooling, there are still some things that cannot be replaced by a screen. “[One change] is the constant black screens and sometimes the lack of energy in class,” states Gong. “I miss seeing people [since] you can’t chat to them [much], and I talk a lot in class. I also realized the importance of small chatter during class. It just makes the room a lot more lively.”
“I miss seeing [my friends], walking to class with [them], doing weights, playing basketball, running on track, and getting boba.I miss all of that, which I took for granted at school. I also [really] miss that relief you get when it’s Friday. [My teacher] would make funny jokes, and he would give us quarters, so I feel like that teacher interaction is [also] missing. I really want to go back to school,” Mittanasala reminisced.
With the many problems Californians are facing right now, times may seem bleak, but we must remember to appreciate all we have, and all that is waiting for us.
