Through my monitor

Angela Guiao
MSMU Class of 2021

(9/2020) August used to be the most exciting month of the year for me. I was one of those kids who asked for notebooks and new pens for Christmas. I loved the idea of school.

I found a certain happiness from the feeling of new books, and I looked forward every year to choosing a new backpack. My mom thought I was so weird.

But for me, going to school each August was the start of a new adventure. For a good chunk of the first 17 or so years of our lives, we spend most of our day in school. The walls of my classrooms felt like home, and I spent more time sitting at a desk than I did lying in bed at home.

This year, I am not going to experience any of those things. Going to school amidst a pandemic is really quite a unique experience. Especially for me, being a completely remote student.

Mount St. Mary’s University is one of the few colleges in the area that chose to open for on-campus learning. Due to certain circumstances, I am taking all my classes completely online. It was such a strange feeling, logging on for my first Zoom class of the semester. In fact, I distinctly remember thinking to myself, "This must be what they meant by the ‘new normal’".

After each class, during the time I’d usually be walking through the halls to my next subject, I instead found myself wandering to my fridge for something to snack on. And this year, I had no need to buy a backpack since I wasn’t going anywhere, so I sort of just sat around, and honestly felt a bit uncomfortable since my back didn’t hurt from carrying a ton of heavy books.

There are a few good things that have come from attending school online, and that mostly has to do with time. I was a commuter when classes were still on campus and spent a good two-plus hours driving to and from school. Now, I find I am able to use that extra time I’ve saved getting homework done or taking a nap.

The cons of being a remote student mainly have to do with loneliness. But I believe that issue stems from the pandemic in general. I spend the entire day sitting in the exact same chair, surrounded by the exact same walls, with absolutely no one to talk to, except of course for the occasional family member. But let’s face it, I’ve spent six or so months with them as my only human interaction, so we don’t have anything more to talk about.

Now with the classes themselves, the experience has been peculiar to say the least. Most students get a least one day where the professor is able to see them in person. And I believe that that in person interaction is Important for a student to be able to create a connection with their professor.

Being that there are students in the classroom each day, and most online students are usually only seen on the computer, there is a clear disadvantage for remote students. Oftentimes, due to habit, professors ask questions, and receive answers from those in the classroom, sometimes forgetting the handful of students hovering on their monitor.

This hasn’t been too much of problem in my own experience however, since many professors take the time to direct questions solely to those attending online. However, it has made participating in class unique, if not slightly more difficult.

Actually attending class online is a completely different experience as well. Since, mainly I am at home, there are certain factors that can affect my day that haven’t been a problem for me before. In fact, on my very second day of class, I’ve had issues with my internet. Since the connection wasn’t strong enough to accommodate video calls, I was unable to attend my classes.

It is issues such as these, those especially concerned with technology, that make me wonder about those without proper access to working electronic devices or Wi-Fi. Ever since the pandemic hit, there has been an increased reliance on technology. I believe there are opportunities for development in options students are given to be able to obtain a proper education.

Students shouldn’t have to be forced to attend on-campus classes because they don’t have the proper resources to take classes online. Since the Mount has so far been so innovative with the adjustments to campus living during a pandemic (evident through their delivery system and hybrid classes), I believe they should provide extra assistance to those off-campus without the proper equipment but who are still interested in learning as much as possible.

Going to school in the middle of a pandemic is not what I thought I’d be doing this August. But I do believe it has opened up our options. While before, remote work and study was available but not as encouraged and accepted, today we are able to choose to work from places other than the office or school.

I believe this will shape the way things are done in the future. As time goes on and more and more people get used to working remotely, I believe it will one day become the new norm. And just as online shopping led to the downfall of shopping malls, I believe remote work will lead to the reduction of office buildings and schools. Though that day is still far into the future.

Today, I am still getting accustomed to this new normal. And, if I am being completely honest, I am not sure whether I like it or not. As with most things, there are pros and cons. And so far, one does not outweigh the other, at least for me. I am excited to see what this semester holds, even if I only witness it through my computer screen.

Hopefully, by next semester, I am able to sit at a desk in one of the classrooms at the AC, with new books and pens tucked inside my brand new backpack.

Read other articles by Angela Tongohan