This spring semester, students and professors are slowly beginning to transition back to attending classes in person rather than meeting virtually.
Before students were allowed to move back into their residence halls on campus and attend class in person, they were required to submit their COVID-19 test results showing that they had tested negative for the virus.
However, after the majority of students returned to campus, many received an email from Health Services stating that they did not comply with the required uploading of test results. After investigation and many emails, Winthrop faculty was able to find an error in the website and made sure that students were able to submit their test results in order for them to return to class.
As a result of more students moving back on campus and more classes being held on campus, some students worry that we may be moving too fast. COVID-19 cases are continuing to rise, and there have been numerous cases of people not having symptoms but still being positive for COVID-19.
Knowing this is worrisome for many students.
Abigail Helm, a junior digital information design major, said, “I think it is too soon to start in–person classes because the pandemic is still hitting our country hard.”
Not too long after the start of the pandemic, there was a push and desire for life to go “back to normal.” Right now, there is no way to know when people will begin to feel a sense of “normalcy.”
Many people, including college students, want to be able to return to how we lived our lives before the pandemic, one-way being attending classes in person. Transitioning to all virtual classes in March 2020 was difficult and was a negative experience for the majority of students.
Knowing that we are able to go to class, sit with our friends, and actually be able to leave our residence halls sounds so good. But is it worth it?
Currently, Winthrop is continuing to enforce mask–wearing inside buildings and when around other people, along with encouraging students to social distancing. Residence halls are still enforcing social distancing by not allowing others who do not live in the specific residence hall to enter. However, students are again allowed to have guests if they live in the same building but cannot have more than twice the number of residences living in the room.
Freshman Hannah Rutland, a social studies education major, said, “I think that the precautions that were taken last semester were very effective and they should keep implementing those precautions throughout this semester.”
As we get moved back to in-person classes and begin being around more people, it is necessary to continue to social distance and properly wear our masks as much as possible. These measures may be the only way we can work toward the sense of normalcy for which many are longing.
“I’m looking forward to transitioning back to in-person classes,” Helm said, “as long as it is evident that COVID cases are dropping.”
Photo by Tate Walden
