It was only supposed to be for a few weeks. But on March 25, Wilkes University announced that it was necessary to continue remote learning for the rest of the semester due to the ongoing Covid-19 crisis. In this News@Wilkes question-and-answer, students in all majors reflected on the “new normal” for their college experience, what they miss about attending classes in person and about the places and spaces at home where they do their work.
Lauren Coleman, junior, Passan School of Nursing
How easy or hard has it been to adapt to remote learning?
It has been extremely difficult to adapt to remote learning. Test taking is by far the hardest part because nursing majors are usually in the library with complete silence for every nursing exam. At home, I have a lot of distractions.
Where do you do most of your work or go to class remotely?
I do all of my class work in bed.
What is the most interesting/entertaining/surprising thing that a professor has done to adapt a class online?
We’re starting to transition to virtual simulations via an online program for our Medical-Surgical Nursing II class.
What do you miss the most about classes in person?
I miss human interaction. I miss talking to patients.
What do you miss most about being on campus?
I miss seeing my friends and professors. Passan School of Nursing is very close knit so it’s hard not seeing everyone.
Tim Lavoie, junior biology major, College of Science and Engineering
How easy or hard has it been to adapt to remote learning?
The transition to remote learning has been quite interesting for me. There are some positive aspects in the sense I no longer need to wake up for my 8 a.m. classes due to the lectures now being held online. However, with my mother, brother and I all needing space to work at home, finding the space to do so has proven difficult. In addition, I tend to study better in an environment different from where I live, such as a library or coffee shop. With their recent closings, the motivation to get up and work rather than spending just a few more minutes in bed has proven very difficult. Overall, I am thankful to still have the opportunity to continue my education remotely.
Where do you do most of your work or go to class remotely?
The kitchen is where I have been completing most of my work while my family members occupy different areas of the house.
What is the most interesting/entertaining/surprising thing that a professor has done to adapt a class online?
In my parasitology class with Dr. Steele, we were supposed to have prepared a presentation regarding a chosen parasite to share with our classmates. Because of the remote learning, we have decided to host Zoom lectures together in which we screen-share our PowerPoints and present them from home.
What do you miss the most about classes in person?
I miss the classroom interaction. Taking classes with my friends and being close with the professors has added so much to my learning here on campus. I look forward to that interaction once again.
What do you miss most about being on campus?
I miss residence life and living on campus most of all. With moving back home it has been an adjustment not being able to leave the house and trying to stay occupied. While living on campus, rarely would I ever feel bored with all of the events going on.
Marcy Ledvinka, junior musical theatre major, College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences
How easy or hard has it been to adapt to remote learning?
I am already familiar with online classes because I was already taking one before we switched to remote learning, but I’ve found it difficult to juggle all my classes being online. I have found it harder to keep track of all my work, and I feel as if I’m constantly doing homework instead of learning in class. Specifically, it is difficult to adapt theatre and dance classes online since they are both very hands-on and collaborative.
Where do you do most of your work or go to class remotely?
I do most of my work in my bedroom or living room. Normally, I would leave my house and go somewhere like Starbucks to do my work, but that isn’t an option anymore.
What is the most interesting/entertaining/surprising thing that a professor has done to adapt a class online?
My voice lessons are now done over Skype. I sing along with recordings instead of live piano.
To start our lectures on a happy note, my hospitality professor, HyeRyeon Lee, takes a picture of the whole class smiling before she starts her lectures and posts them on D2L.
What do you miss the most about classes in person?
I feel more involved when it comes to taking classes in person. You can bounce ideas off of each other easier in person. I also miss the banter that would happen in class. Online, it feels wrong to ever get off topic or make a joke.
What do you miss most about being on campus?
I miss seeing my friends every day and just enjoying everything Wilkes had to offer. From going to my work study (job) at admissions to getting a drink at Starbucks every day with friends, I miss the life I got to experience at Wilkes.
Samuel Meehan, junior, digital design and media arts major, College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences
How easy or hard has it been to adapt to remote learning?
It has been a little difficult for me, not so much from a technological aspect, but more so on a concentration aspect. It’s hard to motivate yourself when you are stuck at home.
Where do you go most of your work or go to class remotely?
I usually either sign in to my remote classes either in my room on my desk or in my basement away from any distractions.
What is the most interesting/entertaining/surprising thing that a professor has done to adapt a class online?
Lisa Reynolds, assistant professor of Integrative Media, sends us motivational videos every day of the week to help try to keep us on track, which is very nice.
What do you miss most about classes in person?
I think I miss having more motivation.
What do you miss most about being on campus?
I miss some of the campus activities, and I miss being able to see my girlfriend all the time.
