By: Krys Kromer, Vallo Vision News
Since the Coronavirus swept across the world in late 2019 it has been at the forefront of the media. Universities all over the country have kept a close watch on CDC guidelines and have tailored this generation of students’ learning experiences in accordance with them.
As the University of Montevallo continues in-person classes this fall, students and teachers alike are left to wonder how the 2021-22 school year will play out.
I had the opportunity to sit down with Senior Riley Hickman and discuss her thoughts on the matter.
Hickman’s experience at the beginning of COVID to now has progressed. “When COVID first happened, I did terribly. I wasn’t prepared for the level of independent work that I had to do for fully online classes. Here I am, sitting in my bedroom, with all of my distractions that I have at home, and I’m like, how am I supposed to get all this stuff done?
“As COVID progressed it got a lot better. I increased the number of online classes that I took while also keeping my in-person classes, so I kept it half-and-half just in case we do go back online.”
Hickman also states that COVID gave her “a lot of organization and time-management skills.”
According to Montevallo’s Website, the university currently has 10 active COVID-19 cases, nine students in isolation off-campus and one student in isolation on-campus.
I asked Hickman whether she thought the University would have to go back to remote learning. “If you had asked me a month ago, I would have said absolutely. I really will be surprised if we end up going virtual now. Being in mid-September, we haven’t had a ton of COVID cases at all.
“Montevallo has also taken COVID so seriously. They’re offering vaccine clinics, requiring masks, and last year the University Conduct Council had such strict policies in place that if you broke them, you were breaking COVID policies so there’s a consequence. Montevallo’s approach to covid will definitely keep us from going online.” Hickman said.
One of Hickman’s biggest fears when it comes to the pandemic is whether or not she will be prepared to go into the workforce.
Hickman says, “COVID has caused a lot of stress when it comes to doing activities and staying engaged in the community. It’s very difficult in light of a pandemic.
“On top of that, trying to manage social activities, and then on top of that trying to manage school and deadlines, and studying for tests and everything. It’s kind of like I feel, there’s this huge overarching issue, globally. Why does this one assignment matter, or this one test matter whenever this huge major issue is going on?”
Hickman also states that the entirety of the COVID pandemic thus far has given her a “new perspective.”
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