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Students discuss trials of navigating an at home learning environment
MON.| 10-19-20 | FEATURES
After a rough shift to virtual learning in the spring, students have been able to better adapt to the transition this fall. While some underclassmen are still trying to get the hang of navigating Canvas and Zoom, many upperclassmen have the advantage of taking Pitt Community College courses through dual enrollment. This has given them the benefit of becoming more accustomed to virtual learning.
In being a successful virtual learner, seniors Fallan Younce and Eyad Thaher feel that having a quiet study space to complete assignments is essential.
“I have not struggled with it as much as others, as I have taken online Pitt classes for the past two years,” Younce said.
For students who suffer from OCD (obsessive-compulsive disorder), having a neat and organized study space for them when completing online assignments is vital. Younce feels that it is essential for her to have a neat and organized study space based on her OCD.
“It allows me to keep track of my work, space it out during the day in times of when to complete it, and not be consumed in my work all at once,” Younce said.
Time management has become particularly critical this year when completing tasks when learning remotely. While many juniors and seniors have jobs, it is important that they arrange their work hours to also fit into their school schedule. Sometimes Thaher has to complete his assignments at his job because he has late night shifts and doesn't have any other time.Thaher feels that his study space at work is distracting and uncomfortable to work
in an atmosphere that is busy.
“I'm working almost every day of the week, but school is a priority for me when I go to school,” Thaher said. “It can get really hard to manage my time while having to balance my busy work schedule and my school assignments.”
Distractions have been a major challenge when completing school work at home. Thaher and Younce both agree that when at home, siblings can be a pretty major diversion. Finding a quiet place where they can focus to do school is not easy for everyone. These students just have to make the most of what they have. Family members may not be the only distraction. Students' phones also seem to be a major distraction and they make it more challenging to concentrate with hybrid learning.
“I often struggle to find a quiet place to do my Zoom calls and school work at home when babysitting, based on my sister being interested in what I am doing at times,” Younce said.
As our teachers here at Rose are one of our assets to get a proper education, it is crucial for these teachers to be going above and beyond to provide the best for their students during this time. The school board voted to implement virtual Mondays, where teachers are not supposed to give new instruction and students are given the opportunity to catch up on missing assignments. It also allows teachers to use this time to catch up on past assignments and prepare for the coming week with having almost three times as much work with having to teach fully virtual and face-to-face students. Many Rose students are thankful for this “free day”, as it allows their teachers to have a better impact on their education.
“All my teachers try and do the best they can,” Thaher said. “I can at least have the same experience I would if it was a normal year rather than COVID-19; they are definitely going the extra mile.”
Overall, students’ home environments are essential to completing assignments that are done outside of school. Despite the many challenges Rose students are having to face, Rose's strong team of students and staff are trying their best by providing the proper tools for success.
Infographic by Virginia Blount
