Students transition to online classes

Colleges and universities across the nation have closed their campuses to help prevent the spread of the COVID-19. 
Western Texas College decided to move to online courses for the rest of the semester on March 17. For first-year student and 2019 Snyder High School graduate Abbey Stephens, the move to online classes has had its up and downs.
“Overall, there really hasn’t been a big change in how my classes were functioning from before to now. I only really had one class that was a lecture, so now that’s a little different, but most of my other classes were reading a chapter and doing an assignment online. Those are pretty much the same,” she said.
On a positive note, online classes are something that relieves the stress of having to go to a physical class, she said.
“I wasn’t too upset when they announced that we were moving to online classes for the rest of the semester. I’m a homebody and I don’t really go out and do stuff unless my friends want to, so I’m not really upset about not having the social aspect of school,” she said. 
“I really like having online classes and being able to take care of most of my stuff on my own time. Plus, I don’t have to get up as early to get ready and get to campus.”
However, there are a couple of downsides to not having to go to school.
“It is a little hard making sure I’m staying on top of school and using my free time to get my assignments done, rather than gardening, going on walks or cooking,” Stephens said. “It’s also hard because if you have any questions about anything, you have to email the professor and hope they answer it in a way that you don’t have to ask for more clarification. When you’re in class, you can ask a question and get an answer immediately and if you need clarification, you can ask again and the whole interaction takes a minute. But now, getting a question answered can be an ordeal that takes up the entire day.”
Even though it’s not how she imagined the last part of her freshman year going, Stephens said she understands the need for online classes. 
“I’m no expert on viruses, but I think that for the situation we’re in, the school made a good call on moving to online. They made the transition very quickly and getting settled into everything was pretty easy. I only had one class that worried me, because the professor didn’t know how to work technology and he was just going to do the rest of the semester through email, which I thought was pretty funny. But they got some help and everything is worked out, so all is good,” Stephens said.
However, school was just one part of Stephens’ life that was impacted by COVID-19. She is now out of a job.
“I was working for ACE at the intermediate school, but now since school is cancelled, there isn’t anything for me to do,” she said. “It was kind of nice at first, having an extended break and getting to chill for a while, but now I’m starting to miss the job and some of the kids. I just feel like there isn’t really much to do. Going to work and interacting with the students was something that kept me busy and gave me a schedule.” 
Although Stephens lives with her parents, she is worried about how the loss of a paycheck will impact her future.
“I don’t have to worry about bills or anything right now, but that doesn’t mean that this isn’t a financial loss for me. I’m transferring to Texas Tech University next year, so I’ve been trying to save up for some of my tuition and other fees that need to be paid for. So the next few months are going to be time that I will only be spending rather than spending while still earning, and it’s a little worrisome,” she said.
Despite the disruptions that COVID-19 closings have caused, Stephens feels that staying home is the best way to keep everybody safe.
“It’s been a major inconvenience in many different ways, for so many people, but I know that all of the teachers, administrators and professors are working hard and doing their best so that the students at both Snyder ISD and WTC stay safe and healthy, and I really admire that,” Stephens said.