Pictures Left to Right: In front of Lightsey Chapel with my Go Bucs mask, One of our reminders to social distance, and finally a photo of me in my "classroom" both for VIPKID and now for my own learning.
It's officially been one full week of class since we started last Wednesday. I have officially been to all of my classes AND turned in insane amounts of assignments! I only had one in-person class last week and two in-person classes on Monday. This year is very strange - for obvious reasons. History meets M, W, F but students only attend one of the three classes to keep class size down. My designated day is Monday. My T/Th Psychology class is splitting in half, but my professor had to quarantine for the first two weeks so we've been attending online classes. Starting next week, I will only attend classes in person on Thursdays. Another class is "hybrid" so we meet in the classroom on Wednesdays and have out-of-class assignments for Mondays. My final class is all online so that means I have 2 classes Monday, 1 class Wednesday and 1 class on Thursday. IT'S SO CONFUSING. I also have homework assignments to turn in by Sunday night for 3 classes, Monday and Wenesday for 2 other classes. I am going crazy trying to organize it all. There are not enough calendars or sticky notes ON EARTH to organize my life right now. That doesn't include my 3 (next week 4) other jobs!
Let's talk about campus, though. With the pandemic still present, that means we have to use extra safety precautions. We have to show a confirmation using an app on our phone that we haven't come in contact with anyone or have any signs of the virus. We also have to wear our masks at all times when inside buildings. Desks are separated and I feel so far away from my peers. In our lecture hall, every other row is taped off and only the end seats are available. Professors have a massive plexiglass shield at the front of the classroom near the podium so they can stay safe behind it without a mask if necessary. Lecturing with a mask has got to be difficult especially for professors that already have a difficult time projecting. Before we enter class, our desks are sanitized and as we leave, we sanitize our own desks. I already mentioned the smaller class sizes but it's just not the same without all of my classmates there. Those that chose were able to elect for fully online learning and so far very few students out of my classes have opted for it. Finally, our professors also do not have in-person office hours. They can only be met with via Zoom appointment.
I haven't ventured to the library yet or the dining hall. Honestly, I go to campus, go to my classes, and leave. I used to love sitting in Norris Hall eating my lunch and getting work done in between classes. That's another thing - we can't eat in classes anymore. Thankfully this semester I don't have a need to, but in previous semesters, I wouldn't have had time to eat between 11a-3p with my class schedule. It was so helpful being able to have a quick lunch in class. I also miss my classmates. Everyone else seems to have the same idea - go to class then leave. No one lingers long and even before class starts, we're all awkwardly trying to stay 6' away which makes socializing more complex. There's something to be said about the community of college students. Things will never be back to normal, but I do hope we'll find a way to be more social. I know we are all craving it.
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