Tough transition into in-person classes

The challenges of transitioning from remote classes to synchronous learning

Maria Simpson / Assistant Opinion Editor / The USD Vista

On the morning of Sept. 1, the sun shined through a thin layer of clouds over the USD campus as thousands of students emerged from their dorm rooms, apartments, and homes, and made their way to their first classes of the 2021-2022 academic year.

The first day back to school is always an exhilarating experience, but this year it marked a momentous occasion for the students at USD. This semester is the first time that classes are fully commencing in-person since March of 2020, well over a year. Seniors — who left campus as sophomores  — are back and taking what feels like their first steps in the Student Life Pavilion. Most of the current sophomore class, including myself, are entering USD classrooms and attending sports events for the first time ever. 

While the new year presents an array of opportunities and beautiful moments that lie ahead, this back to school experience comes with plenty of challenges as well.

Personally, school has always been a positive experience. Besides the normal amount of nervousness, I was overthinking about this upcoming year because we haven’t been on campus and in-person for so long. When the morning finally arrived, I found that many of my worries were for nothing. I made it to all my classes with ease, professors and classmates were welcoming, and I even managed to find a suitable outfit for the big day. 

However, I realized that the first day was only one obstacle of many within a semester of readjustments. 

Many students like myself may be concerned about redeveloping good study habits, taking tests in class, and managing work loads that have become more time and energy consuming with the switch to in-person. 

Falling back into the flow of in-person classes is not as simple as it sounds. It is more than just seeing professors and peers pop out of their little boxes on Zoom and into the seat next to yours. Many changes are suddenly being thrown at students as we return to school and it is okay to feel nervous, intimidated, or overwhelmed by the switch back to in-person classes. 

Zoom instruction led to shortened attention spans and more relaxed class formats. In-person classes have restored higher expectations for students and heavier homework loads, which can be difficult to balance all at once. It is normal to struggle with readjustment, and in the end it will surely be worth this period of acclimation. This is the perfect time to take the opportunity to connect with others. I know that suddenly seeing so many students around me has been a little intimidating. What was once an empty and quiet campus is now full of constant crowds passing by. 

Many students have only interacted with their families since heading home for quarantine, and now they are presented with an endless sea of individuals at school to talk or hang out with, which can be exhausting. 

But it has also been a wonderful way to form new relationships and feel more connected to the USD community. This is something that many students, especially current sophomores, missed out on. 

This abnormal back to school experience presents an enriching and healing time for the university. 

It’s a time to connect with others, to develop a new appreciation for the in-person classroom experience, and to absorb and cherish even the little moments of college life.