By Vivian Shinall
Copy Editor
As Lutes return to the (virtual) classroom, the effects of living though a global pandemic have been felt throughout the campus community. However, the student experience varies widely, especially when comparing PLU’s first year and senior classes.
For senior Hannah McCann, going back to class online was not cause for celebration.
“I wanted my senior year to encompass the entirety of what senior year should be … that wasn’t supposed to consist of an online education,” said McCann.
This lack of excitement was partially due to an inability to see close friends and classmates. As someone who values social connections, McCann felt a loss of drive.
“I want to produce good work for my professors when we have created a positive relationship and Zoom just makes that difficult for me to do,” McCann said.
McCann has similarly found it a struggle to balance her schedule while still feeling productive. The shift from “going to class” physically to sitting in front of a computer screen has led to her feeling like she isn’t accomplishing much in a day. To make up for it, she loads on more activities, ultimately overwhelming her and reducing the quality of her work.
“Honestly, if I were a freshman, I think I would have taken a gap year,” McCann said. “Knowing it would be unlikely to establish a solid friend group and get the full college experience would probably convince me to wait for school to return to normal.”
Contrary to this view, first year Alyssa Leong never once considered waiting to come to PLU.
“I felt excited to finally go back to school after … four months,” Leong said. “I also felt excited to be away from home and meet new people.”
While a break from the monotony of quarantine at home in Hawaii was Leong’s main push to pursue her freshman year in 2020, she’s found new challenges to adapt to on campus.
“Life in the dorms is pretty quiet, there’s a lot of new rules … It’s not as exciting because you can’t really meet anyone or hang out in the lounges without being six feet apart,” said Leong.
Much like McCann, Leong has found it difficult to stay motivated while taking classes online, citing practices on the women’s soccer team as her one respite.
Although her choice to come to PLU was unfettered by doubts, Leong’s expectations were ultimately met with a different reality.
“College is supposed to be a lot more free, yet it feels like the opposite with all of the restrictions,” Leong said. “I feel like I am missing out on the actual college experience.”
