By Rae Maher

The University of Montevallo has returned fully to in-person classes in the wake of the COVID-19 vaccines and students are re-adjusting to more traditional instruction methods. As this transition proceeds, Mass Communication major Cam Cook spoke about the experience.

“Internet is key.” Zoom is a great resource and many educators used it to great effect to deliver their lectures, but it is dependent on a strong, steady connection to the internet. Cook remembers occasions where the internet dropped during class.

While some are truly glad to return to the classroom, others found they preferred online classes. For Cook, online classes removed some of the pressure of meeting class deadlines. Timeslots are more variable with an online format, despite deadlines remaining.

During the last two semesters, tests were also more flexible with their time limits. Cook  said that finding the motivation to get up in the morning to attend class is harder to come by than the motivation to get up and log in to canvas. Homework is another area where he said finding the motivation to get it done by the next class period is a little harder to come by. However, he said the transition back to in-person classes has been smooth.

With the lockdown, it was difficult to keep up with friends regardless of if you were on campus or not. There were limited options for friendly gathering spaces and activities. Two that Cook missed the most were going to the movies and bowling alleys.

Back on campus, Cook plays intramural sports with Fiji plus. He started playing intramurals last year and said that it was a little difficult as the athletes were required to wear masks. In addition to being able to participate in intramurals, he helped build the sets for College Night. “There’s nothing really I didn’t do, ya know, because of the restrictions,” he said.

This semester, masks and social distancing are not required to watch a game. Inside New Res Hall where Cook is living on campus there are no major changes. As an apartment style residence hall, the University did not see the need to enforce masks in the hallways. The only real difference in New Res Hall this semester is that residents now have access to the pool table that had been locked away.

Cook said he’ll be following the safety guidelines that remain in place and encourages others to do so as well. “Wear your mask, please follow the guidelines. Be respectful of others because you might not be at risk but they [might be] and you never know that just by looking at them.”