Students have many different expectations and opinions about the upcoming semester. Even amidst a global pandemic, the university plans to continue a phased reopening of campus.
The first month of courses will be taught through online instruction with a few exceptions. After this, the university will re-evaluate the plan and make decisions for the remainder of the semester as the situation changes.
Students, however, are preparing for a semester that will look similar to the way classes were taught in the second half of the last semester.
Shelby Phipps is a senior that attends the University of Memphis, at the Lambuth campus, in Jackson, Tennessee. She will be living off campus, but still has several concerns about how the fall semester will impact her during her final year of her undergraduate program.
After hearing about the announcement of the phased reopening plan, Phipps said, “The university should stick to either online courses or a traditional classroom setting for the fall because students are very worried about transitioning back and forth throughout the year.”
Another concern she has is about her performance in her classes while they remain online.
“I am worried about the grades of my senior year, just like I was last semester. Transitioning from online to traditional classes can be stressful and hard to adjust to for me,” she said. “I want to be able to succeed and finish my college career with a good year.”
She also believes that the switch to virtual learning harms most students.
“I also think that online classes are not as educational as a traditional classroom because from my experience, the student is teaching themselves instead of the professor,” Phipps said. “As a senior, and a psychology major, a large portion of my classes are research based. Having an online setting makes these types of classes even harder.”
Lucas Darder is a junior and a part-time engineering student. He believes that the indecisiveness of the UofM, regarding a return to campus, will also harm students.
“I think this year will be harder than the last because there is still a lot of uncertainty,” he said. “One of my concerns for the semester is the tolerance of my professors during this time as far as being flexible. I think they are going to do the best they can and will be tolerant to any situations that may come up this semester.”
He is also worried about the sustainability of a return to campus.
“I’m concerned about campus reopening prematurely and not being able to stay open,” Darder said. “The phased reopening is not a bad idea, but I feel like they should make one decision unless things change.”
As an incoming junior and transfer student, Molly Shands has not been able to experience classes or campus life at the university yet.
“My concern is not being in the learning environment that I am used to. Being online scares me because it is not what I work best in,” she said. “My other concern is lack of socialization. I’m a people person and I want to be able to meet others.”
In an attempt to have some semblance of a normal semester, and to try and become part of the campus community, Shands plans to live in on-campus housing during the year.
“My expectations are that the university is doing all it can to keep us safe, while also doing things that follow the guidelines of social distancing,” she said. “I’m excited for the new year, I’m just nervous for how everything will flow together.”
The COVID-19 virus has disrupted the way professors can teach and the way students learn. Despite this, students will continue to work towards their degrees during this semester and beyond.
