Attending College from Home

Marist Students on Adjusting to Fully Remote Learning

For students taking their classes entirely remotely this semester, they have to adjust to studying and taking Zoom classes at home. Source: Jenna Merolla, ‘23

Finishing college from home was not how Kate Hanes ‘21 envisioned her last year of college. As a senior at Marist College, Hanes is attending classes remotely this fall semester from her home in Pasadena, California. 

“It’s not how I planned on finishing my last semester of college, but I’m grateful for the thoughtfulness and hard work of my professors who gave me an opportunity to stay safe at home,” Hanes said.

Hanes, like many students, decided to complete the fall semester online as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. Although the situation is not ideal, the experience is going as smoothly as possible, thanks to the professors and staff who have made every accommodation to help those who—for one reason or another—couldn’t return to campus. 

In August, California was a high-risk state and due to New York State laws, Hanes was required to quarantine prior to the start of fall classes. Hanes had to change her plans to move across the country an entire two weeks earlier to isolate in Conklin Hall. With too many concerns, Hanes decided to finish her last semester of college through remote courses.

In her two hybrid courses, Hanes’s professors set up Zoom meetings so she can participate in class discussions live and they always stay on top of communication. “They are really understanding if I make mistakes, like forgetting to account for the time difference in an assignment due date,” Hanes said. “They have been super flexible and have gone out of their way to help me stay on top of everything.” 

The same is true for Rebecca Lopez ‘21, an applied math major from San Diego, California. She said the time difference hasn’t been a major issue because she’s taking all online courses. However, more than ever, maintaining open communication with her professors is essential. “Sometimes I get called into work, sometimes things just really build up and maybe I'll turn in paper a day late, but my professors have been incredibly understanding and flexible,” Lopez said. 

While everyone at Marist is dealing with the consequences of this unprecedented pandemic, professors are giving students leeway to adjust to online courses in any way they need. This may involve completing their coursework in a home environment, which is not always ideal for studying. 

As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, a few students at Marist have decided to complete their semester remotely from home. Source: Kate Hanes, ‘21

Lopez, a first generation college student, works three jobs from home and lives in a two-bedroom apartment with her parents and her brother. Needless to say, there is little space and time to focus on schoolwork. “The reason that I wanted to go to an east coast school was that the fast-paced attitude helped me focus on my studies,” Lopez said. “At home, it’s more difficult. I’ll be honest, my work has definitely not been up to my best standards.” 

Similarly, Jenna Merolla ‘23, is completing the semester remotely from her home in Brooklyn, New York, and has encountered the same challenge. While living with her mother, grandfather and cousin, it’s hard to find a quiet space. Merolla’s mother, who works from home, is always in the same room with Merolla—and sometimes joins her daughter’s Zoom classes.

“Sometimes my mom sits across from me and she’s whispering to me, ‘Participate! Participate!’ But sometimes I do need that extra push to share my opinion,” Merolla said. Most days, she’s the only one in class via Zoom — and usually up on the projector screen. “I wonder if I'm going to interrupt someone because I can’t always hear everyone,” she said. “But I know that I still have to share my opinion and get my participation points.”

Some professors have adapted to the semi-online format better than others. One of Merolla’s classes meets outside, so her professor Zooms her from his cell phone, which he props on his shoulder. “He makes an effort to have me in class and I feel like I’m being included,” Merolla said. However, Morella has experienced some cons with online learning. “I’m more of a visual learner, so watching videos and taking notes on my own is challenging for me. In some other classes, I feel like I’m teaching myself and just submitting the assignments.” 

Also facing similar challenges, Anthony Feliz ‘23 is attending classes remotely from Orange County, New York. He feels that some of his professors have been less interactive with their online students. Feliz often feels more like an observer or onlooker rather than a student. “During class, most of my professors tend to focus on the people physically with him or her. As a result, I will be sitting on a Zoom call with my camera off, just listening in on a class that I have no input in.” 

Feliz finds that the biggest challenge about learning from home is the lack of personal connection to his professors. “When I’m on Zoom all day, it doesn’t feel like I’m going to class but more like I’m listening to a podcast,” he said. “Once the class is over, the call ends and I go to the next Zoom call. Most times, I have to email my professors questions, which has been an adjustment.”

Aside from adapting to this method of learning, students are also missing the social aspects and campus activities of college. Most students are keeping in touch with friends through Facetime, but it’s not the same as socializing in person. 

“It was the right decision to spend the semester at home, even though it was heartbreaking,” Lopez said. “I really love my Marist friends and their families, who have taken me in year after year for breaks and holidays. It was really sad that I didn't get a chance to see people and at least say goodbye.” 

Merolla also believes she made the right choice by staying home. “It was a hard decision to make because I missed out on a lot of opportunities that I would have been able to take if I did come back to campus,” Merolla said. “But at the same time, I’m seeing how things are going right now— kids are kind of taking advantage of the situation and not respecting that we're in this coronavirus pandemic.” 

After the rise in COVID-19 cases on-campus and the week-long “pause” at Marist, there’s a possibility the entire student body will be forced to adjust to online-only courses. Whether or not this happens lies in the hands of the students themselves.