Many students across the nation are now adapting to the e-learning platform as the COVID-19 pandemic continues to progress. AU announced that the remainder of the semester would be completed online on March 18, and the first e-learning week began on March 23.
For junior nursing major Makenzie Myers, the switch to online learning is difficult considering the major she’s in. The nursing major especially had to make some significant changes.
“Things are definitely different from what they were,” Myers said. “The school of nursing is going to be using a lockdown browser for exams that the whole nursing program will have to learn how to use. They are also looking into using more online simulations as we can no longer go to clinicals and have hands-on learning opportunities in a lab setting.”
She said that because the nursing program has such high expectations, she and her classmates are worried that the change will affect their performance.
“There is a lot of anxiety and fear surrounding the change,” she said. “To continue in the program, we have to keep a test average of 80% or above. We are worried that this change in testing will affect our testing average.”
Not only is the e-learning transition affecting academics, but for junior elementary education major Marlowe McVay, it has affected her job in student leadership as well.
“As the ARD of Martin Hall, it was hard to know that I wouldn’t be able to say ‘goodbye, have a good summer,’” McVay said. “I will miss our events together and the staff meetings where there was so much love and laughter. It was hard, and remains to be, to think that my time as an RA and ARD ended so abruptly.”
Leaving the community on campus along with such drastic change is something she said was the hardest for her.
“I struggle with change that I cannot control at all,” McVay said. “You don’t realize how much your community is a part of you until it’s gone. I miss them a lot. This will be tough, but we’ll be more grateful for everything in the end.”
Sophomore elementary education major Brayden Collingsworth celebrated the professors at AU for their support during this time.
“One of the reasons I chose AU was because of the amazing professors that we have,” Collingsworth said. “Through all of this, my professors have been in contact with us to make sure that we’re all okay.”
He also said that this time has been beneficial to him in ways he did expect.
“It truly isn’t fun that we can’t all be together, but this time has created an opportunity to grow deeper in many areas that I didn’t really get to invest in,” Collingsworth said. “Google Hangout has also provided an easy way to communicate with family and friends as well.
“Quality family time has been an essential part of our day-to-day life at home. We’ve spent a lot of time in devotions and playing games as a family. It truly has been a transforming experience so far.”
Photo by Jacey Crawford