Lauren Yoakum (’23)

Q: Why did you originally choose eLearning for the first semester?

A: “I wanted to do everything I could to make sure I didn’t catch COVID-19, but mostly, I didn’t want to unknowingly spread it to my family or strangers.”

Q: Are you going back for the second semester? Why or why not?

A: “I am, mostly because of how draining eLearning is. eLearning has practically ruined my mental health and social skills, but also, it’s a lot easier to focus and learn at school.”

Q: Was eLearning what you expected? Was there anything that surprised you?

A: “I was definitely surprised and upset when I found out that eLearning basically consisted of Zoom on Zoom. To be honest, it wasn’t as tolerable as I expected, especially considering that I didn’t really think about how committed I would be to it.”

Q: Did you have to come to school for practices, games, tests, etc.? How did it feel?

A: “I had marching/concert band practice, which made me feel a little out of place. To be honest, it made me feel like I was farther from my friends and in-school life than I thought.”

Q: What is something you’ve learned from eLearning about studying, time management, etc.?

A: “I realized how much easier it is to focus on concepts while you’re in class. One of the most frustrating things about eLearning was how all of my classes basically took place in my room, which made school even easier to be distracted in.”

Q: Has eLearning changed you as a student in any way? If so, how? If not, how did you maintain the same student mindset and study habit as you would’ve in-person?

A: “I definitely feel like I have a different perspective on the social aspect of school. Being at home for so long has allowed myself and my friends to realize how much it doesn’t matter what other people think, especially when the ones judging you are the ones who go to parties in the middle of a pandemic.”

Q: If there was anything you could tell yourself before you started the first semester, what would it be?

A: “Honestly, I would probably just tell myself to remember why I’m doing eLearning, and that at least from home, things are safer.”