Interviewing CSU and UC students regarding their take on remote learning and how it’s affecting them for the future
Written by Danielle Flores and Valerie Chavarin
For this new installment of our series, we interviewed students from different California universities. As of August 30, 2020, the LA Times reports that California has over 700,000 confirmed cases, making it a top 3 affected area in the United States. Amid the ongoing incline in cases, the state’s plan to reopen has been further pushed back, as state mandates encourage everyone to remain home and actively practice social distancing. California universities and colleges have opted to remain closed, minimizing the presence of students on campus to prevent any new cases. In exchange, students now rely on online courses and other remote methods for their education.
Students vs remote learning:
On the topic of online schooling, Natalie, a student at the California State University, Northridge (CSUN) stated that while she “[believes] remote learning has its pros and cons,” she ultimately “[prefers] to have in person classes due to there being less distractions.” Natalie also expressed that a significant negative was “not fully learning.” As it appears, this experience is not unique to Natalie as this new medium presents itself as a challenge for many. Another student, Soraida, from the University of California, Davis (UCD), faced a very similar issue. For her, remote learning comes with some difficulties such as “trouble focusing and grasping concepts.” Despite this, Soraida agrees with the actions her school has taken and is “grateful that [students] are able to continue classes while quarantining.”
Students are Adaptable:
Of course, this new form of teaching calls for new methods to maximize learning and retention that may not be required for classic in-person education. Cameron, a student from the California State University, Stanislaus shared with us a tip for how he ensures punctual attendance to his classes, “I have had to create an online note folder with all my zoom meeting urls.” With these new distractions of at-home courses, students must be mindful of timing more than ever. Ngoc, who is attending the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) , has been adamant of not allowing this change to affect her too much. When asked about how remote schooling has altered her experience, she stated, “I have been following a routine as if there was in person classes.” However, even though students are making the necessary adjustments, it is clear that there is not a complete consensus on whether remote education is unfavorable. Both Cameron and Ngoc agree that email-only makes professors quite accessible, but Cameron argues “it is a big hindrance to not be able to interact in person,” while Ngoc believes “attending [her professors’] office hours are easier online.”
School Life:
The decision of universities to go online has not only affected higher education but also the social aspect of the college experience. Many students have opted to remain home, citing social distancing and saving money they would have spent on housing near their respective campuses as their main contributors in their decision making. According to Soraida, UC Davis’ “clubs have attempted a few online things, but it’s definitely not the same as in person.” As a result, “many events and activities had to be cancelled,” restricting the ability for students to explore their interests outside of their majors. For Ngoc, networking and internships were a vital part of her undergraduate career as a pre-med student. Unfortunately, she can no longer “physically volunteer at the Ronald Reagan Hospital” or work at the lab where she had been doing research. Similarly, Cameron who plans to apply to a Master’s program has found that he is “not able to establish connections with people over the internet which dampens [his] chances for letters of recommendations.”
The testimonies of these students are much like those of the approximately 2 million attending a college or university in the state of California. While higher education during COVID-19 has altered the way classes are offered, students have proved to be resilient and just how determined they are to keep themselves focused.
Read the full extended interviews below!
Ngoc is going into her third year at the University of California, Los Angeles. She is a Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology major on a pre-med track, who is currently preparing herself for the examination phase of applying to Medical School.
Name: Ngoc
Age: 20
Occupation: Full-time Student
School: UCLA (University of California, Los Angeles)
General Questions:
1. Is your school going remote for the rest of the year, and how do you feel about that?
UCLA might go remote for the rest of the year, but we do not know for now. Currently fall quarter is remote and winter and spring quarter might as well.
2. What have you had to do to adapt to online classes? Do you feel like you get the same level of education online as you with online classes (difficulty, available help, accessibility to professors etc)
To adapt to online classes, I have been following a routine as if there was in person classes. I feel like I have been able to get the same level of education online because attending office hours are easier online than in person.
3. Do you think that COVID and remote learning has affected any other aspect of your “school-life”(such as work, internship opportunities, networking, clubs etc)?
Yes, COVID and remote learning has affected my school life because I cannot physically volunteer at the hospital and go to work anymore. I miss school life because it allowed me to be social and keep myself busy.
4. Do you plan to remain home or are still hoping to live near campus? What were some deciding factors you considered when making this choice?
I plan to remain at home until in person classes resume because it will save money.
Personal Question:
As a pre-med student, do you feel that these new restrictions have affected your timeline and what you had planned for the year?
Yes, these new restrictions have affected my timeline because I planned to finish volunteering for one of the clubs I am in and do SRP 99. My current plan is to do well in my online classes and get a better GPA while studying for the MCAT.
Natalie is a Liberal Studies major at the California State University, Northridge who aims to become an elementary-school teacher.
Name: Natalie
Age: 20
Occupation: Full-time Student
School: CSUN (California State University, Northridge)
General Questions:
1. Is your school going remote for the rest of the year, and how do you feel about that?
Yes my school is going remote for the rest of the semester. Personally, I believe remote learning has its pros and cons but I prefer to have in person classes due to there being less distractions. I feel like I don’t fully learn through remote learning.
2. What have you had to do to adapt to online classes? Do you feel like you get the same level of education online as you with online classes (difficulty, available help, accessibility to professors etc)
Since the rest of my family is also doing remote learning and having a dad that’s a teacher, I’ve had to create my own space where it is somewhat quiet so I can pay attention and get my work done. Even though I have my own space, I don’t think I am getting the same level of education. I get distracted very easily but I am grateful that my professors make accommodations and offer help in any way they can.
3. Do you think that COVID and remote learning has affected any other aspect of your “school-life”(such as work, internship opportunities, networking, clubs etc)?
COVID has affected some opportunities that were meant to be on campus and in person. As far as work, it is a bit hard to find a place in my area that is hiring due to them not wanting anyone new which is reasonable in these times.
4. Do you plan to remain home or are still hoping to live near campus? What were some deciding factors you considered when making this choice?
I’m planning on remaining home as long as the remote learning continues. I don’t see a point in continuing to live close to campus when classes are online. Hopefully by spring we will enter in person classes again and if that’s the case, I will move back to campus.
Personal Question:
As someone who has already started school, have you noticed a difference in the learning experience this time than when classes abruptly went remote at the end of last year?
When classes went remote at the end of last year, it was much harder given the fact that it was everyone’s first time adjusting to remote learning. Now I would say that it is a bit easier just because we have gone through it before. I also think that some professors are more lenient with their work than when we first began remote learning. I say this because when we first transitioned, we had done so much in the school year so professors would want to make sure they got through everything else they needed to cover which just felt rushed and stressful given that everyone was still learning how to adjust.
Cameron is starting his last year at CSU Stanislaus majoring in liberal studies in hopes of entering a master’s program to become a teacher while also working 40 hours a week.
Name: Cameron Flores
Age: 25
Occupation: Full-time worker/full-time student
School: California State University, Stanislaus
General Questions:
1. Is your school going remote for the rest of the year, and how do you feel about that?
Yes my school is going remote and I feel anxious about the whole transition. I am not an online only type of student since I mainly learn through face to face interactions.
2. What have you had to do to adapt to online classes? Do you feel like you get the same level of education online as you with online classes (difficulty, available help, accessibility to professors etc)
I have had to create an online note folder with all my zoom meeting urls. Also I do not feel like I get the same level of education online. I am an in person to person student and online schooling is not my forte. All my professors are available via email, but it is a big hindrance to not be able to interact in person.
3. Do you think that COVID and remote learning has affected any other aspect of your “school-life”(such as work, internship opportunities, networking, clubs etc)?
I work the same amount of hours during Covid-19 then what I worked prior to it. Also it has affected my ability to turn in necessary documents for graduation and hindered me from taking a necessary exam for my masters program. Also I am not able to establish connections with people over the internet which dampens my chances for letters of recommendations.
Personal Questions:
How are you feeling while working full time and going to school full time while also dealing with the impact of COVID-19?
Honestly, I feel overwhelmed because I feel like my workload for school increased and it causes me to stress out outside and inside work. Also because of Covid-19 I work more hours which cause me to lose focus in regards to school work.
What’s one thing that your school has done to help improve your situation with COVID-19?
My school has not done anything different, which is the biggest issue for all of us students and CSU Stanislaus.
Soraida is a third year chemical engineering major with the goal to enter graduate school.
Name: Soraida Valle
Age: 20
Occupation: Full time student
School: University of California, Davis
General Questions:
1. Is your school going remote for the rest of the year, and how do you feel about that?
Fall quarter is remote, I’m not sure what will happen for Winter and Spring. I am grateful that we are able to continue classes while quarantining, but I am a bit concerned considering I have trouble focusing and grasping concepts with online only courses.
2. What have you had to do to adapt to online classes? Do you feel like you get the same level of education online as you with online classes (difficulty, available help, accessibility to professors etc)
I don’t think I am receiving the same level of education online. I find myself distracted by anything and everything in my apartment. I also find myself putting off lectures since they are all recorded. I try to stay out of my bedroom when I want to get things done and block out things going on. I know my professors are available through zoom office hours, but I don’t feel like it’s the same as in person ones. I get too anxious to attempt joining office hours. I feel uncomfortable knowing everyone there can see and hear me clearly where as in office hours other students are there, but you’re not typically front and center like on zoom.
3. Do you think that COVID and remote learning has affected any other aspect of your “school-life”(such as work, internship opportunities, networking, clubs etc)?
Yes, it has affected work and clubs for me. I was able to start an on campus job for about a month until they had to close. Clubs have attempted a few online things, but it’s definitely not the same as in person. Many events and activities had to be cancelled.
4. Do you plan to remain home or are still hoping to live near campus? What were some deciding factors you considered when making this choice?
I am staying near campus during remote learning. When we transitioned to remote during Spring quarter I had stayed home and I realized it wasn’t the best study environment. I felt a bit too relaxed because I am typically only home during breaks. I also had to study in the living room and kitchen where everyone was and it was distracting. Since I am not home too often, I felt very obligated to go places and do things with my family even when I had a good amount of work to do. It’s not that I didn’t want to, but I wasn’t prioritizing my school work at all.
Personal questions:
What do you think is personally the worst aspect concerning COVID-19 and your education other than adapting to online classes?
I feel like adapting is my one major problem. I find myself distracted constantly and I never want to get any work done.
Since COVID-19 you were not able to participate in any band events, what is one event that you’re looking forward to once you are able to return to campus?
I’m looking forward to Picnic Day & weekly rehearsals. I had a lot of fun being able to see my friends while doing something that I love. We all had somewhat different schedules, but I knew I would be able to see them during our Monday Night rehearsals. I missed a lot of events freshman year thinking I would get to experience them my sophomore year, so I’m hoping to go to events I didn’t get to go to before.
Conclusion:
After interviewing multiple students throughout California who all attend different colleges, it’s clear that online learning is difficult in various ways. It seems that all four of these schools, along with the rest of the universities in California are going to do remote learning for their fall quarter/semester. Most universities made their Spring quarter/semester online at a last minute notice so students are expecting a beneficial change concerning remote learning after having a few months to work on it.
The writers here at E-Cure would like to thank Ngoc, Natalie, Cameron and Soraida for taking time out of their busy schedules to answer some questions from us. We want to wish them good luck in the upcoming year as well as all of the students and teachers who will be experiencing remote learning this year.
Reference:
Los Angeles Time Staff. “California Coronavirus Cases: Tracking the Outbreak.” Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 17 Aug. 2020, www.latimes.com/projects/california-coronavirus-cases-tracking-outbreak/.
Muniz, Hannah. “How Many College Students are in the US?” Best Colleges, 23 June 2020, https://www.bestcolleges.com/blog/how-many-college-students-in-the-us/.
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