Online learning and how the pandemic has affected my studies

 Studying during the pandemic: Online Learning

At times of a pandemic like this, online learning and working has almost become the norm. Most people are probably bored sitting in their houses wondering when they'll ever be able to go back to enjoying their lives outside exploring the world. The same can be said for most of the students studying at a university. They're wondering when they'll be able to meet their friends again, get back in that environment... no, the atmosphere of learning in a classroom with all their classmates and teachers around. Everyone misses that. Even I miss the very few friends I would have have in class. I was not able to experience what a first-timer, a freshman, would go through on their very first class and the entire first year.

What a classroom would've looked like if the virus was not around

.

But now, with this horrible pandemic going on, it's quite impossible to attain physical classes like before. Online learning has became the norm. They are not really comparable with physical classes in anyway other than the concept of a university. Online learning has made it possible for everyone to learn with just their computers, smartphones or any device that is compatible and has connectivity over the internet. With various different platforms being used for online learning. Be it live or asynchronous classes. Maybe some previously recorded lessons too. But this has it's benefits and disadvantages too. Though for the most part, it turned out to be pretty helpful for me.

This is what the typical online class environment looks like. Okay, maybe not all the flashcards and notebooks though.

But did it really impact my studies?

No, not really. Studies have still been the exact same. Studying is just done to acquire knowledge. It's a mean of developing a broader mind, ideas, concepts and use them in our everyday life. Studying is possible anytime and everywhere. It's just a matter of whether you're willing to do it or not. Now, this is where most people would probably suffer as they are very outgoing. Because they require social interactions to ensure a refreshed mind, which they don't really get during this lock-down time. But I spend most of my time alone in front of my computer, trying to learn new things by browsing the internet. And besides, I always spend time with my family too. Most of the time I use the computer in the same room as my parents. I mostly have fun talk and chatters with my mom and dad. I'd say we get along nicely. I don't really have problems concentrating on my studies when I need to. In fact, I would say it helped my studies.

People benefit from online learning.

Helped my studies, why though?

• Easier and comfortable to ask questions
  
• More flexibility
• Teaches you time management skills
• Cost-effective
  

Well, first of all, I don't have to get on a bus and reach my institution in time. And then rush between faculties to attend classes from time to time. This saves a lot of time and I don't feel tired at any point of the day either. I have a lot more energy left in me to focus on studies. I use all that time saved to explore new things. Like, maybe browsing on workout, learning how to code, cooking, gardening and learn new stuff. It's not much but I've learnt the basics of programming and I'm looking a bit into web development lately. I would've never gotten this free time to learn how to write programs before. Learning how to code counts as studying for me too. I wish to expand my knowledge on programming as my end goal is become someone who's really professional at solving problems using programs.

But let's go back to my current studies. It feels way easier to ask questions in class as I feel really uneasy to ask questions in front of a group, let alone an entire class. I'm a bit shy in nature. I also feel like being able to replay recordings of a lecture that felt hard really helps on clearing up all the doubts and confusions. I can keep backups of all my lessons, homework and exercises I've done before. Moreover, I can easily review them when I feel like it.

There's also the fact that it's so much easier to manage time now. Thanks to having classes 2 to 4 hours a day. I learnt how to finish my homework and assignments quick and then spend my free time on learning other stuff or spending time with my family. I was never able to manage my time this efficiently during high school. It's also really cost-effective, as I don't need to pay for my travels, class materials and stationary instruments.

So, what's the conclusion?

Online learning has not impacted me in any way possible. And even if it has, the benefits negate out the disadvantages. It has taught me how to manage my time better, how to be more organized and how valuable time is due to less time spent on attending classes. I feel like it's much easier to be open with your classmates and teachers through online learning. Be it asking questions or interacting with them. Though, something I would really miss is a library. There's this joy of learning stuff inside a library I'll never get from anywhere else.

A library