Growing pains in the transition from online to in-person

From screens and Teams to full classes and busy streets, the return to campus for many Ohio University students has offered hope. But for those longing for a normal college experience, it has also served up some challenges. 

Aubrey Cline, a transfer student from Columbus State Community College, has not attended in-person classes since high school, nearly two years ago. Cline began her sophomore year at Ohio U as a publication design major, where she is navigating building new relationships from six feet apart while wearing a face mask.

“I don’t know if I felt prepared just because coming to a different school, everything is different; new professors, new curriculum, new people, at a university that handles things differently than Columbus State,” Cline said. "The first few weeks it was hard to navigate, but as soon as I got into the routine I managed to see what was going on.” 

Stepping foot on campus for the first time during a pandemic has put a strain on the mental health of many students. A recent study found that 83% of students’ believed that COVID-19 negatively affected their academics and mental health. Social anxiety, in person exams, and the fear of catching COVID-19 has emphasised the need to take care of one's mental wellbeing. 

David Lairmore, a psychologist and coordinator of outreach at Counseling and Psychological Services, said the continuation of the pandemic and rise of variants can increase students’ anxieties. 

“More research is beginning to emerge about the impacts of COVID-19 and the mental health impacts. It is certainly probable that the continued pandemic and variants can increase students’ anxiety in contracting the virus and having serious symptoms from it,” Lairmore said. “Contracting or being exposed to COVID puts additional burden on students, such as isolation and quarantine, missing classes, and other social and academic engagements.”  

The university’s structures to stop the rise of the delta variant have altered the somewhat normal college experience that was anticipated earlier this summer, but Zoom fatigue has encouraged professors and students to accept the challenges in order to meet face to face. 

Cory Crawford, who teaches for the Department of College of Arts and Sciences at Ohio U has come across many obstacles while teaching under the current safety protocols. 

“Technology has been difficult for me. Especially with the transition from 100% online to a model where some students need to join class remotely from quarantine, which means some students are in person and some are in the classroom, but I have been very happy with the structures that the university has put in place for allowing that to happen,” Crawford said. 

In an attempt for a somewhat normal school year, over 70% of students’ and Ohio University staff have become fully vaccinated. 

“This school year is as normal as it can be right now. Just seeing people makes it seem normal. I feel better that we’ve at least come that far,” Cline said.