Amherst Regional High School students have had the opportunity to be back in school in person for two weeks now, and a little over 50% of the school is. After online school being the norm for over a year, students are still getting adjusted to the sudden switch in their learning environment, and some are getting adjusted better than others.
“At first it was definitely a bit weird adjusting from online to in person, but I think the school has done a good job of handling that transition,” ARHS sophomore Anya Khashu said when asked how she was adjusting. “They’ve been a bit a bit more laid back in the ways they approach classes and grading.”
“[I’m] making new friends, trying to interact with the different kids in my classes. Trying to get back to how school was before the pandemic,” ARHS freshman Ethan Vulcain-Sowkey said when asked the same question.
“I think socializing with people is a lot easier,” ARHS freshman Thea Binzen said when asked how she was getting accustomed.
Despite the positive answers, students felt that they missed some elements of online school as well.
“In between classes I can’t really go get water, eat something. I just have to get to my next class,” ARHS freshman Matt Hockman said.
Hockman also touched on the inconvenience of masks.
“The masks can be suffocating,” Hockman said when asked what his least favorite thing about in person school was.
“Not being able to get up and roll out of bed and do school. The convenience of online learning was really nice,” Khashu said when asked what she missed about online school.
Vulcain-Sowkey also touched on the morning routine being expedited.
“That I have to actually get ready in the morning. … “I actually have to put an effort into getting ready now, which is something I never had to worry about doing,” he said.
Despite the drawbacks, the students interviewed unanimously agreed they liked in-person school more than online school.
“I like in person a lot more,” Binzen said. “I’ve noticed that the teachers are more engaging with the in-person students.”
Vulcain-Sowkey said it’s easier to get help one needs, it’s easier to participate in activities.
Hockman said there are no distractions being in the classroom other than from other students. “At home there’d be distractions, like vacuums, animals, things like that,” he said. “At school you just have the other students who are trying to do the same thing as you.”
Khashu continued the trend of thinking the learning experience was just better in person.
“Definitely more,” Khashu said. “I like the social aspect, just being in a class with your friends, but also the learning in general. It’s a better quality of learning.”
Talvin Dhingra is a freshman at Amherst Regional High School.