Adah Burket/The Broadside
For many, it has been almost two years since the last time they’ve attended in-person classes. How are students getting accustomed to being back on campus?
Iysha Macy, a first-year student, who is currently studying psychology, chose COCC because “I wanted to test out the waters of college. I initially planned on going to a university but found that community college sounded less overwhelming and closer to home, and I found COCC to be a great introduction.”
Taylor Monroe, a third-year student who has been attending COCC since the Fall of 2019 and is currently on track to graduate this term with a degree in Geographic Information Systems (GIS).
Monroe chose COCC because it offered her the study that she is interested in and the opportunity to live in Bend, Oregon.
Over the past few years, the community college has been an increasing avenue for students to continue their undergraduate education.
Macy’s favorite part about being back is, “meeting new people and having face to face contact. It’s better learning in person as I get easily distracted learning online. It’s also easier to form connections with the lessons and classmates.” Monroe, who attended zoom classes through COCC during the pandemic, agreed that it was better being back in person, saying, “[My favorite part is] seeing people in person and getting to talk to people face to face and not just on a screen and being back in Bend.”
Neither are concerned with classes, but Monroe voiced some worries regarding COVID-19. Current health and safety guidelines have also influenced both of their classes and how they run. Aside from having to wear masks and stay 6-feet apart at all times, there has been difficulty running group studies. But for Iysha, it’s all worth it, as she prefers in-person learning over online.
From Monroe’s vantage point, however, the pandemic made graduating on time a challenge. COCC offered a limited array of classes over zoom, which delayed her academic progress.
For the following school year, both Monroe and Macy displayed similar hopes of getting through this year with no COVID-19 incidents.
Iysha said, “I have faith that everyone can work together as a group and get through this.” Going in with this mindset, many are looking forward to the rest of the term and being back in the classroom.