Remote Learning

This week I will talk about how the COVID-19 pandemic has impacted college students and how many are navigating through a range of stresses as a result of remote learning.

From blessing to burden, the laptop has become Alexa Kinoshita’s worst enemy.

As a hands-on learner, the fourth-year UCLA sociology student said being behind a computer screen for hours on end is challenging. The online learning format has especially affected her ability to stay focused.

When combining classes over Zoom and online homework, Kinoshita said there is hardly a break from the computer.

“There’s no break for you. There’s no break for your eyes,” she said.

The COVID-19 pandemic has forced many college campuses to switch from in-person classes to remote learning beginning March 2020. It has been almost a full year of online learning for many students.

Alejandro Mendoza, a fourth-year history and philosophy student at Washington College, said time management was the most difficult part of transitioning to remote learning. Going to college in-person gives you structure, he said.

“You go to class, you go to work, you go have your food, and then you come back,” he said. “And I think when we entered lockdown and specifically online learning in quarantine, it just became one long day with three classes in between.”

Developing a personal routine helped Mendoza structure his days better. On the days he has classes, he said he makes sure to go to sleep early the night before, wake up at least 30 minutes before his class, and make himself breakfast. Once his classes are finished for the day, he devotes time to completing weekly tasks.

Despite having a structured routine, Mendoza still struggles with motivation.

Online learning has created a barrier between students and academic resources, such as in-person office hours and libraries. Having these resources would have boosted his motivation, especially as he is working on more than one senior theses, Mendoza said.

On the other hand, remote learning has helped with Kinoshita’s motivation. Although she sometimes enjoys not having to get ready for in-person classes and watching lectures from bed, the sedentary lifestyle has driven her to find other activities to do.

“It motivated me in the sense where I don’t want to be lazy anymore,” she said. “So I’m just like, I have to do something with my time.”

Kinoshita has taken up both arts and crafts and guitar, which offers her a nice distraction from Zoom.

The loss of human connection has affected many students over the course of the pandemic and remote learning.

Mendoza, who is in a fraternity at his college, still socializes with friends, but finds it difficult maintaining close relationships with his professors. He said the formality of student-teacher relationships has increased. Instead of being able to ask a professor a question after class, Mendoza said he has to write out a formal email.

Missing out on the opportunity to meet new people and make lasting connections disappoints Kinoshita the most. College is about making lifelong friends and networking, she said.

Kinoshita misses the college environment where all students share a common struggle -- trying to succeed in classes. She values in-person learning for the supportive networks that would push everyone to do their best.

Before the pandemic, she would make at least one friend in each class, which is now more challenging over Zoom, she said.

“When you’re on Zoom you’re dependent on yourself because how are you gonna meet people?” Kinoshita said. “You can’t be like ‘Hey, I like your background, I like your Zoom background.’ That’s weird.”

Mendoza, however, finds Zoom backgrounds wildly entertaining. He even has his own catalogue of them to choose from.

Beyond the normal stresses that come with being a student, Mendoza said remote learning hasn’t affected his mental health. While he did struggle in the beginning when he was in a different time zone than his college, he has now adapted to the online format.

As he finishes his final semester, Mendoza is holding onto hope that life will return to normal in a few months.

Remote learning, however, has taken a toll on Kinoshita’s mental health, as it has given her more time alone which she said often leads to overthinking. Being with friends pre-pandemic helped distract her from her thoughts and focus her attention on the present moment.

Despite the challenges of remote learning, Kinoshita still manages to see the positive in every day.

“I’m proud of just having the motivation to get out of bed every day. I guess as simple as that.”

My own experience with remote learning has been quite challenging.

In the beginning, the transition to online classes felt like a much needed vacation. But after a couple weeks into spring quarter of 2020, my initial perspective changed.

I was overwhelmed with more school work than what I was used to with in-person classes. It seemed that many professors were trying to compensate for the lack of in-person engagement by assigning more weekly tasks and group projects.

It wasn’t long before I became tired of the daily routine of waking up, opening my laptop, and doing work until it was time to sleep and do it all over again the following day.

My motivation was at an all time low, and I missed the structure that life on campus brought me, like seeing my friends, going to work, and studying at the libraries.

When spring quarter ended and summer began, it was tough realizing that I wouldn’t have a senior year in-person.

My time in college feels cut short, and the thought of a virtual graduation is even more disappointing after all the hard work it took to get here.

Writing this post has been the first time I have really reflected on how remote learning has affected me. I still struggle with knowing exactly how to cope with these circumstances.

The present moment can be deceiving and often feel neverending. It’s not always easy to focus on the positive and imagine that better days are ahead.

What I found has helped me most is taking time for myself. My best days always involve stepping outside for a breath of fresh air and refocusing my attention on what I envision for my future.

Despite being a college senior who is graduating in a few weeks without a concrete plan, the future doesn’t scare me -- in fact, it excites me.

Take some time today to escape the present, and think of something that excites or inspires you.

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