Zoom University, what a concept.
It definitely had its ups and downs, so I decided to put together a little reflection with some ratings for all of you out there who maybe didn’t take classes remotely or aren’t in college and want to know what it was like. I broke it down into five essential categories:
Ability to snack
Ability to be comfy
Ability to focus
Ability to make friends
Ability to fatigue
I will be giving each category a rating out of 10. Let’s get crackalackin.
The ability to snack during Zoom University: 10/10
This was probably my favorite thing about remote learning, especially because three of my classes were once-a-week 3 hour ones. If I was sitting at my desk and needed a snack, I would just pick up my computer and bring it with me to the kitchen or would blast my sound so I could still hear the professor speak. Now, I would never actually blend a smoothie during class because that is just plain rude BUT I am guilty of bringing my smoothie cup to the sink during class to rinse it out so it wouldn’t get all, you know, old smoothie-y.
Here were some of my favorite things to snack on during class this semester:
Chips and salsa
Cut up apple with peanut butter
Green smoothie
Belvita breakfast bars
Berries
Pita chips
Candy (Mike and Ike’s or candy corn probably)
The ability to be comfortable during Zoom University: 10/10
Now, before this whole pandemic hit, I never wore pajamas or sweats to class. Ever. Even in high school when we had pajama day, I tried to wear the loungewear that most resembled real clothes. Being put together just makes me feel more productive, so jeans were always my go-to. I even went through a phase in high school where I wore skirts and tights and boots. Go off, young me.
However, times have changed. And if I’m going to be sitting in my house or my apartment taking class, I most likely will work out right before and just wear those leggings and a sweatshirt to class. I will say this, though. On days where I felt like I needed a little boost of confidence or motivation, I threw on a pair of jeans.
In terms of where I sat while going to class, 99% of the time it was at my desk. I only sat on my bed during my big nighttime lecture where my camera was off and I knew I could just lay down, listen and take notes. I don’t know why but for me, I always found it to be a little rude to be all propped up in bed. I tried it once, but it just didn’t feel right. Maybe that’s just me, but it’s still class. If you wouldn’t fall asleep during real class, don’t set yourself up to do so now.
Here were some of my favorite pants to attend class in:
Old Bar or Bat Mitzvah sweatpants
The ability to focus during Zoom University: ?/10
This one I am not really sure how to rate. Last spring when we were all sent home from school and had to continue classes from our childhood bedrooms, it was really really difficult. The turnaround time happened overnight and it was something we never had to do before. This fall, there really wasn’t any sudden transition that we went through, rather, remote learning was basically our only real, consistent option. When we came home for the holidays and had to finish our classes and assignments here, it was no different than what we had been doing or had done last semester. Yet, I still can’t decide which was harder and which one I had a harder time focusing during.
I think that I had a much easier time hunkering down and doing my work when I was at school, even though I was in my bedroom surrounded by a billion distractions there. It didn’t matter because I was in my room at SCHOOL not at HOME. It makes a huge difference. At home I was still able to get all my work done, but it took longer than it probably would have had I been at school doing it.
Home is so much more distracting! There are cute puppies and a kitchen filled with Mom’s baked goods and dads to annoy while they try to do work in the basement, you know what I mean?
I would be lying to you all if I said there weren’t times where I found myself checking my email during class or texting my parents (because who else?) And if any student says otherwise, I would be a little concerned because that means they are robots. Distraction is just a part of the game. It’s how we work around it though, that counts. At the end of the day, I did my part. I got my work and assignments done, asked a lot of questions and did my very best to form connections and make an impression.
The ability to make friends and form connections over Zoom: 5/10
I am the girl who loves making friends in class. I think it’s such a great way to meet people who have similar interests to you and especially being a transfer last year, it was a really great way for me to meet people in general. Over Zoom, I can’t just sit next to someone or tell them I like their boots. You have to slide into their Zoom messages, which, I have done a few times. With that comes the rejection of being able to see that person’s eyes dart around on the screen to read your message and then you sitting there waiting only to never get a response. It hurt. It really did. But I took it like a champ.
Although I didn’t really make a ton of friends in my classes this semester, I would say I was still able to form good connections with my teachers at least, which is equally as important. I feel for the freshman or transfers though who had to make their first college friends this way - it’s not easy. The thing to remember if you are in that boat is, nobody in your class has any idea what year you are or if you are a transfer or not. It’s a clean slate for everyone, so just go for it!
The ability to get TIRED from Zoom University: 9/10
Oh baby. This. This became an issue by the end of the semester. I never thought I would see the day where I wanted to genuinely throw my computer into the ocean and never have to stare at a screen ever again. That’s dramatic - I love my computer. BUT, going from really only having to use your computer to do homework to having to use it to actually attend class, take notes and then do your work is a lot going on in one place. My eyes were killing me by the end. It’s really important to take breaks from your screen or at least wear some glasses that can protect your pretty eyes a bit. By the end of the day, I was DONE-ZO.
The only solution I could possibly think of is for teachers to not give us anymore homework or papers! Professors, if you are reading this, it’s just a suggestion but…
Walks were also a great way to break up my time between classes or going to Trader Joe’s. Fresh air people, it’s important.
I had the option to attend three of my four classes in person, which is really lucky and I am sure plenty of people would pounce on that opportunity if they could. I went to two of them in person for the first week or so but came to the decision that I would much rather be in the comfort of my home, without a mask on, in my pajamas and in walking distance to my fridge. At all times.
Cheers to a better spring semester!
You got two feet, use ‘em! Go on a walk.