@msuunion
Students at Michigan State University social distancing during remote learning.Since March 2020, colleges and universities throughout Michigan have implemented remote learning to slow the spread of COVID-19 and protect students, professors and staff.
Some students who used to complete schoolwork early while classes were face-to-face have said they now find themselves waiting until the last minute to watch pre-recorded lectures and complete assignments.
Senior Hannah Amor of Oakland University said trying to make time in her schedule for all her remote classes has often caused her to wait until the last minute to complete coursework.
“I have to allow time for all my classes, and I feel like I don’t have enough time in my week,” said Amor.
During remote learning, some students have found themselves being more distracted, multitasking on other assignments and projects while attending lectures.
Andrew Pascaris, junior at Lawrence Tech University, said he notices himself completing other work while he is in a Zoom lecture.
“That can be a bad thing because you’re not as engaged in the class you’re supposed to be in,” said Pascaris.
Some students have asynchronous courses that do not require a scheduled meeting time each week. For Alena Graves, junior at Michigan State University, without the commitment of being in class at a set time allows her to put off coursework until just before the due date.
“I wait until the last possible moment to watch lectures,” said Graves. “I find it so easy to spend hours doing nothing rather than having a schedule that I have to stick to.”
MSU sophomore Julie Gusmano said, “I can get work done before the week even starts if I wanted to, but other times I use that as a disadvantage and save things until their final due dates.”
Gusmano also said asynchronous classes have caused her to forget or misread important deadlines.
“I have missed exam times due to writing down the wrong dates on accident, whereas in person, [professors] would be reminding daily about exam times and places,” said Gusmano.