The Return To Online Schools?

Due to the surge in cases created by the new Omicron variant, we are beginning to see a return to where we were last year when many things were shut down. We have seen the return of masks, and we have been more hopeful with the booster shot being available now, but it feels as if we are still taking steps backwards. 

December is a stressful, but exciting time for students. The first weeks of December consists of a jam-packed schedule, as they are preparing for finals, and shortly after, they are taking those finals. After the completion of finals, it’s time for students to go home and enjoy their break away from school and celebrate the holidays. This is when it becomes very exciting for students. After all, it’s the first time the students can take a breath in months. 

This year, many students across the country were delivered news stating that the first part of their next quarter or semester will be online. This is understandable, as this gives students more time to get the booster shot before returning to in person classes. Although school officials are saying that school will return to in person classes, will they really?

One has to wonder that because it doesn’t appear that cases are getting better any time soon, will the schools allow students to return at any point in the remainder of the school year? As a student who completed part of my college degree in person, and was forced online for over a year, I can tell you that learning is a lot more difficult online. There is something to be said about the benefits of online school. You get to wake up later, all classes are done in the comfort of your space, and there is no commute to and from school. None of those benefits top the quality of learning one gets while in a classroom, and especially having face to face interactions with professors and other students.

It is too early to tell, but within the next few weeks, we should start hearing more about what colleges and universities may do for the remainder of the year. It should be interesting, but one can hope for the sake of the students, classes remain in person if possible. Certainly, no one wants to be at risk, but people are also paying a high dollar amount to attend these schools and want to get the most out of their experience while they can.