Online Classes On-Campus vs. In-Person
Zoom has officially become every college student’s new best friend. Online classes are the new norm, whether you went back to the beautiful Ithaca campus, or are taking courses from home this semester. Zoom first came to fame in March when students and faculty were quickly sent home as COVID-19 hit Cornell’s campus. Even though some of Cornell’s community adjusted to the online class lifestyle, this fall semester has changed things. Students, faculty, and staff are now able to come back to campus, even if the majority of classes are online once again. Although students gained an understanding of how online classes work, there are still distinct differences in taking them from home during quarantine compared to on campus this semester.
Location Matters
Now starting my sophomore year, I have become accustomed to associating being home with a break. When I arrived home in the middle of March, I felt distraught and heartbroken after being sent home from school a few months too soon. The only positive outcome of this change was getting an early and extra-long spring break. However, when online classes came along three weeks later, I was unable to maintain the same motivation I had back at school. Regardless of being alone in the silence of my bedroom with no friends distracting me, I could not focus as well as I had in the classroom environment. I realized that this was because my mind now associated my childhood bedroom and home with a break, and being on campus with school. Being back at school now, I still don’t have the same energy and excitement about learning as I would in a physical classroom, but it’s definitely getting there. Taking courses on the Arts Quad, inside Goldwin Smith, or booking a study space in Mann, is a game-changer in my personal motivation, and makes me feel like I am a real student again.
Taking Classes Alone Vs. With Other People
In college, I’ve learned that it’s always nice to have a study buddy. When taking online classes from home, these friends are a lot harder to communicate with due to distance, time differences, and conflicting schedules. Living on campus gives students the opportunity to be with their peers who have similar workloads as them, and be in close proximity to those who are in their online classes. It’s much easier to text people with a quick homework question or meet outside to study at a safe social distance. Personally, seeing people around me doing work, whether it be in a dorm or on-campus, makes me more motivated to do my own work.
Being Surrounded by People NOT in Class
Whether you’re taking online classes from home or at school, there will be people around you who are not in class. I’ve found that it’s much easier to isolate yourself in a house versus a dorm, especially with a roommate. This issue is definitely a pro to having online classes at home. However, it is possible to find a secluded and quiet space on campus, so you can make contributions on Zoom or go to virtual office hours. I usually do this on Chatter, where you can select different sized spaces from a variety of buildings on campus.
Overall, online classes are very different from in-person classes, which are greatly missed this semester. I definitely recommend taking as many in-person classes as you can if you’re on campus! Personally, I prefer taking online classes on campus compared to taking them from home. It makes school feel more real and like the world turning to what people deem the “new normal.”
