Learning With a Screen (originally published in 2021)

Since its inception, the pandemic has changed the way that everybody lives our lives. The way that we commute, talk, and even eat has all been altered to better fit with safety protocols made so we avoid contracting the virus.

Although the spread of the Covid-19 virus has significantly slowed down in recent months, the transition to return to what we consider to be normal has been just as slow. This semester marks the beginning of many students’ college careers here at Cal State Long Beach, and while many would like to have the full college experience of going out and having fun and meaningful relationships with their fellow students, things haven’t been quite the same.

However, many students have brought it up to themselves to find ways to connect with others in ways that won’t put them in potential danger. Mayra, a full-time online student, has her way of making friends. “Meeting people from school is actually really easy thanks to all of the resources we have like social media and clubs”. Through clubs and Zoom meetings aimed at speed friending the school itself in support of students having the college experience of networking.

For dorming students, the task of having fun around the school has been a bit of a challenge as well. Still, there are a few places around the school that have been the local hot spots for local students.

“People are bored, they are trying to find an easy hobby they can do anywhere. Says Marco, an employee of a local trading card shop. “Students especially because they can create a bond with other students through the love of things like sports”.

Places like coffee shops seem to be the meeting area for students wanting to get away from their living quarters. “I can’t really focus at my house, I need to go somewhere.”, Says Mayra.

Aside from the extracurricular activities, some students are still adjusting to in-person classes.

For some students, the remote style of learning has only been beneficial. “It was less stress on me as I didn’t have to commute anywhere, and I didn’t have to go back and forth from work and school,” Alex said. “I also liked to work at my own pace as I have a tough time keeping up with things like taking notes.

These students will surely go back to the online style as there are reasons like health issues that can keep a person from attending in-person classes.

This semester at Cal State Long Beach so far has had the lowest rate of in-person students, making the campus very empty compared to previous semesters.

At times the parking lots can look like ghost towns of a school that once was, but this hasn’t deterred the spirits of the students that are willing to succeed and get the education they want.

“I’ll get used to it again, I just have to wake up earlier to do my work and get some Starbucks.”, Alex said.