The Transition From Zoom Back To Fully Back In-Person
Since March 16, 2020, all Penn State students and faculty went remote for learning.
Zoom and hybrid classes were the temporary norms. Many chose to come to campus and many stayed home for the 2020-2021 school year.
For the first time in over a year and a half, Penn State students reunited in Fall 2021. There was not much of a transition for students, however, almost if not all students are thrilled to be back. Students have been back to normal for over a month now and their opinions need to be shared.
Will Pegler, a fourth-year majoring in journalism, has been through it all.
“I think it’s awesome [to be back]. Last year was weird being in my apartment and having all of my classes online except for one each semester,” Pegler said.
He continued, “I am definitely learning a lot more being in-person. Over Zoom, it was a lot easier to zone out and not focus on class. I am excited and it has been great so far.”
Thankfully, Zoom University did not affect his GPA, “I have not noticed a huge difference in my academic performance.”
Jackie Kirian, a second-year majoring in labor and human resources, experienced college a little bit differently from Pegler.
“As a freshman, I obviously did not get the full first-year experience. Definitely going in person I am liking it a lot better,” Kirian said. I’m finding myself to be learning a lot more because I can focus more instead of being online.”
She opened up saying, “It was a little tricky the first week of classes, especially finding them. Managing my time and getting to class early enough and making sure my schedule fits well,” Kirian said.
Kirian continued, “ I am definitely adjusted to it. I was really nervous about my first class, it had 300 kids in it. I really liked it, though.”
The COVID-19 pandemic went from 0 to 100 and so did the transition from Zoom to fully in-person. Overall, students feel overwhelmed but are remembering how enjoyable it is to be back to normal.
Emily McGlynn is a second-year majoring in broadcast journalism. To contact her, please email her at esm5378@psu.edu.
