Pictured above: Molly Ryan is a sophomore history major.
Patrick Tobin | The Crow’s Nest
By Molly Ryan
‘Hate’ is a strong word. I hated online classes.
So, for a student like myself, this fall semester’s in-person initiative is the glimmer of hope that I needed.
A year ago, I was probably somewhere like Target picking out bed sheets with a ‘dorm essentials’ label on it counting down the days until I was in my own dorm on a college campus. Unfortunately, it didn’t take long for me to realize the harsh reality of living on campus during a global pandemic.
The bustling college culture I had longed for took form in a daily trip to the mostly empty dining hall and being one of few people in a class to actually see the lecture in person.
But as COVID-19 cases made a steady rise on college campuses, it became safer for classes to go completely digital.
Starting out as a starry-eyed FTIC (first-time-in-college) student, I quickly became disenchanted with my virtual academics. In the seemingly distant pre-vaccine era, my motivation to learn and apply myself was severely lacking.
Now, vaccinated and optimistic of a genuine college experience, I am more than ready to be in a real classroom.
I find myself only staying engaged in a classroom environment, so it’s a relief that I no longer have to fear falling asleep or being unmuted while I eat my Nature Valley bar during a Zoom class.
While I’m letting myself feel the anticipation of café study sessions and classroom note-taking, I do not want to make the same mistake twice; I’m staying vigilant and appropriately jaded with the news of the COVID-19 Delta variant.
I’ve seen life through the screen, and I would rather not go back – but I’m going to enjoy my time in the real world regardless.
