It’s been nearly a year since the initial lockdown in Saskatchewan due to COVID-19. A lot has changed since then and some University of Regina students’ views regarding online learning are no exception.
“It’s getting a lot easier because I’m getting more used to the online schooling part,” said Faith, a second-year social work student who did not want her last name used.
“And life is becoming a little more back to normal so it is getting easier. But when it first started it was like the worst thing possible.”
She admits the pandemic has not been easy, especially at the beginning.
“When COVID first hit, I was kind of down in the dumps, I didn’t even leave my bed,” said Faith.
“I had to change my mindset with where my life was going. So, I started exercising and eating healthier and I reached out to people … now that I changed my mindset, I think everything looks a lot brighter.”
Kara Miskolczi, a second-year education student, admits that there has been an improvement since last semester.
“I think everyone is getting used to it, I am busier and have more homework,” Miskolczi said. “But it’s easier for the professors, because we can find everything easier and they know how to use UR courses better.”
Not all students think online learning is improving. Some are more dissatisfied. Gavin Karakochuk, a third-year student studying human justice, is one of them.
“All my classes last semester were in-person Zoom lectures where we would actually have discussions face to face with the class,” said Karakochuk. “And now I only have one professor who actually has face to face discussions.”
No matter the viewpoint, all students are being bolstered by good news regarding the vaccination effort. On the weekend, Anita Anhand, the federal procurement minister, stated in an interview with CBC news that the “temporary delays” of vaccine deliveries are “largely behind us.” She also stated that all Canadians will have access to vaccines by September, when approximately 70 million doses will have been delivered.
“That’d be awesome, that’d be really great,” Miskolczi said about the announcement, “The chances are that it won’t actually be September but if it is, then that would be perfect.”
Even with his complaints about his classes this semester, Karakochuk is trying to stay positive about the overall situation with the pandemic. He is happy to hear the recent announcement.
“I personally see the light at the end of the tunnel,” said Karakochuk. “It’s definitely going to take time but time’s slowly ticking down for this to be over. But it’s still not over once everyone gets vaccinated; we’re going to be facing the repercussions of this for years and years to come.”
