University of Memphis students are setting goals for this semester while adapting to online learning. While some students are thriving during virtual learning, others are facing difficulties and want to be back in the classroom.
Dovetta Holman, a communication major, said she is adapting to virtual learning very well, but she would only prefer face-to-face classes so she could interact with other students. She said her ability to function well during online classes is due to the fact that, until now, she was home-schooled.
“My goal for the semester is to simply receive all A’s. I made the dean’s list during the fall semester of 2020, and hopefully, I will be making the dean’s list again spring 2021,” Holman said. “I would also like to graduate cum laude. I plan to focus on my grades and continue to plan for my future.”
The University of Memphis is now starting to allow some additional students to begin attending small, in-person classes and labs – if they are comfortable making the switch. COVID-19 protocols that were set up last fall will remain active.
Biology student Mama Ndyaie, who is a sophomore at the University of Memphis, is looking forward to taking a few lab classes on campus because she had difficulty adapting to virtual learning, and she has had better results with in-person classes.
In addition to that, Ndyaie said that she noticed she would procrastinate during virtual learning in the fall semester, but she is setting new goals this spring to stay on task and ahead on her assignments.
“Online classes seem easy because you have everything in front of you, but I’m an in-person learner, so it’s harder,” Ndyaie said. “I do better in a classroom [where] I can take part in the lab assignments.”
Although the University of Memphis is allowing classes that were originally scheduled to be on-ground but had to be moved online to return to campus, the spring semester continues to look a lot like recent semesters as many students will continue to take courses mostly online.
“The only thing I like about online learning is having a well-planned work week, meaning I know all of my assignments, and I can complete them at any time,” said student Latesika Key. “I’m more of a hands-on person and online learning isn’t the best option for me.”
Despite the coronavirus pandemic, Key said she feels like there are certain courses that should be taught on campus.
The UofM has been prioritizing community safety along with health guidelines by embracing online learning during the coronavirus pandemic. Student Jeremy Jackson said online classes, as of now, are the safest and best bet to continue his higher education. However, he said that online learning has been difficult for him, because he has found it hard to stay focused. He has found that online classes are easier when it comes to work, maybe due to the fact that it is done from the comfort of his own home.
“I plan to graduate this semester — that is my one and only plan,” he said. “Online learning is definitely here to stay.”
