“It’s hard to stay focused since I have so many things at my disposal that I wouldn’t have at public school, and I sometimes find myself procrastinating. In the end I always try to make school the priority,” Rocky senior Kurt Loomis said. For many people, the COVID-19 pandemic of 2020 is like nothing anyone has ever experienced before. From a nationwide mask mandate to the transition to entirely remote learning in many parts of the country, there are many downsides to this pandemic. However, there are also plenty of reasons why a student could look at online school and see that it is not so bad at all. Do the pros outweigh the cons? That is a student’s choice to make. 

According to cmasas.org, the Christa Mcauliffe School of Arts and Sciences, giving a student the ability to make their own routine can help the student mature and learn to become more independent. Online schooling allows that and some students really thrive in a more autonomous environment.

A downside to this is that there will always be limitations of technology. Many students are put at a disadvantage due to their income level and inability to access technology. Sometimes even with access, it’s difficult to be online all day. 

“I feel like I am super lucky to have access to technology/wifi to complete my assignments because it definitely makes it easier. But I have noticed an increase in the amount of headaches I get in a day from staring at a screen. I also feel my body getting more sore/tired from sitting in one place all day. I also got reading glasses when I was in fourth grade to help with close up school work and up until remote learning, I did not have to use them very much, but being on screens all day every day has made me need to use them more since my eyes are more strained,” Rocky senior Whitney Holland said.

Online school also places students in a position where they are less able to create social interactions. According to mercycare.org, social interactions can lighten your mood and make you feel happier. They can also provide a sense of security, safety, and belonging. Without the benefits of socialization, many students will find it difficult to find their own sense of belonging, becoming lonely and possibly depressed.

In spite of the downsides to online learning, there are still many benefits. Giving a student the opportunity to work at their own pace, rather than being monitored constantly, can help them feel less stressed and more in control of their own learning. 

“The flexibility is really helping me, I believe. I’ve heard lots of teachers say that this is what college will be like in the future and I think it’s helping me become more independent in my working habits. I don’t have to rely on a teacher to tell me to do an assignment, I can work at my own pace and get things done when I need to,” Rocky senior Max Hendrickson said. 

In addition, giving a student the ability to choose an environment in which they can most effectively learn can make them feel more comfortable. 

The lack of social interaction can prove troublesome for many; however, many students feel that they can learn the most about themselves and stay focused on their studies when they are not constantly surrounded by fellow students. 

“The lack of socialization does not really affect me. I still communicate with all my family and friends on the phone. I see my family every day and I FaceTime my friends every day,” Rocky freshman Eva Hatfield said.

There are pros and cons to both sides of the argument. With online school, students are provided with increased flexibility and a new opportunity to choose the environment in which they study, and the lack of social interaction can prove beneficial to many. However, the lack of social interaction does not always seem beneficial to students since it is much more difficult to find a sense of belonging without it. Many students are also put at a disadvantage, as resources are limited to many, and some do not have equal access to the tools needed for online learning. It’s really a mixed bag as some students have transitioned easily and others have struggled.