Looking back on March 2020, I never would have imagined that a full year later, I would still be doing online schooling. I can remember the excitement I and my classmates had on that last day of school, thinking we would just have a short break after a long semester and a half, but little did we know then. Online learning has significantly impacted my sophomore high school career: from improved grades to unconventional experiences, it’s definitely been an unprecedented school year. 

One thing I can say for sure is that my grades have definitely improved and stayed consistent throughout this school year online. I would definitely credit that to the long amount of sleep I get a night. Without the commute to school or after school activities that keep me up later, I get so much more sleep than I did before. Additionally, my teachers have been extremely helpful and understanding during this situation, which makes online school more manageable. As much as I would like to go back, my grades have benefited from this experience–however, I know that school extends beyond grades.

Another benefit of online learning is the amount of free time I have. I play on a club volleyball team and I have practice three times a week. Balancing school and volleyball last year was strenuous with homework and studying and travel. But with online school, I am able to finish my homework, have a break, and then go to practice. I can’t even imagine how I did all of that last year!

However, though I accede to the temporary benefits of online learning, it is incomparable with what has been lost. When it comes to the environment of a real classroom with other students and friends, online school is far from ideal. I miss raising my hand in place of merely clicking a button on Zoom to “raise my hand.” I miss hearing the perceptive thoughts of my classmates instead of the awkward silence when a teacher asks a question and people aren’t paying attention. I miss sitting next to my friends in class and hanging out with different people at lunch––something that could not be emulated for a majority of my sophomore year. Furthermore, in a real classroom environment, we are able to stay attentive and participate. Paying attention in class has become increasingly difficult as the school year comes to an end. 

With only three fourths of Freshmen year last year, I’ve missed out on many high school experiences. All of my upper class friends had excitedly explained to me how fun the last week of school is. But for me, my last week of school was spent in front of my computer, stuck in my room alone. I missed out on finishing my first year of high school in a memorable way, like seeing all of my friends after school, or something as simple as having a beach day. However, this experience excites me for the years to come––that I will be able to have a “normal” last day of the school year with the rest of the student body. 

Ultimately, I am eager to go back to full time in person school, but I am also anxious. Going into junior year, I am taking many AP’s and Honors classes, and I am worried I will have a hard time balancing in-person school and extracurricular activities. But overall, I want to get back to real life, and how life was before the pandemic hit. I know it will be a challenge, but it is definitely a challenge I am willing to take!