The COVID-19 pandemic has hit every single corner of America. Teachers and students are working to adapt to many impacts caused by the pandemic. From the closing of in person schools, to the struggles with sports and limited social interaction, there are certainly new challenges to be faced.
The pandemic has had a significant impact on the education system at Freedom High School. The biggest change is the shift from in person schools to all online. FHS is currently using Google Meet for face to face classes which allow students and teachers to learn and interact through a computer screen. While everyone is doing their best to cope with these new changes, it is more challenging than it seems. In person school allows teachers and students to follow a strict routine involving getting up on time, getting in the building before the last bell and getting to classes on time. The same rules still apply for online school, however, it is much easier to neglect that 8 a.m. wake up alarm when all students have to do is open up a laptop.
“My morning routine now is that I set my alarm at 8:55 a.m. and just do class as soon as I wake up,” said sophomore Alex Bokman.
Another issue involves turning in assignments. When a teacher gives an assignment in person, students are more likely to turn it in before the next class to avoid having to see the teacher in person with a missing assignment.
“[I am] definitely less efficient with work now because it is a lot harder for me to focus and retain information that is being taught virtually,” said senior Alex McMillan.
Extracurricular activities were also widely impacted due to the pandemic. Last year, all 2020 spring sports were canceled. As of now, all fall season sports have been pushed to the spring of 2021. If school remains online for the rest of the year, it is likely that athletes will have to forfeit their entire sport season. For many students, participating in sports and other extracurricular activities play a huge role in high school, and in some cases are students main way of getting into college. This brings up worries for student athletes about whether or not they will be fully prepared or qualified for college admissions.
Bokman, who plays for the FHS varsity basketball team says that his season has been impacted this year.
“This year we are only playing 14 games with limited to no fans allowed,” Bokman said.
The senior class faces the possibility of missing out on milestone high school experiences such as senior pep rallies, prom and possibly a graduation.
“I was most looking forward to our senior activities,” senior Grace Schofield said. “Our senior year is supposed to be special, and I was looking forward to homecoming, prom and other senior celebrations throughout the year.”
Learning to adapt to the shifts that the COVID-19 pandemic has brought can be a real challenge. Students and teachers continue to work as they would during a normal school year despite the constant shifts in the 20-21 school year.
