McPherson College
Written work
Prompt 1
Student life isn’t what it used to be on the McPherson College campus. Our main rule for COVID-19 compliance is wearing masks at all times around campus. Whether in class, walking to class, working in the library, or attending activities, masks are always required. For me, the big controversy is how they are worn and how it is enforced. In some of my classes, students don’t seem to be taking COVID-19 seriously. They wear their mask under their nose, and I’ve seen a student with no mask for the whole hour of class. Other new procedures include allowing to go orders for meals, using hand sanitizer before and after class, not allowing spectators for games, having visitors check in, and going to the clinic if you have any symptoms. Although my college is trying to be proactive and prevent the spread of COVID-19, I feel as if it will find its way into every college at some point.
There are many challenges that have come with returning to campus in the middle of a pandemic. One of my biggest challenges is adjusting to the confusing hybrid class schedules. Every single one of my classes has a schedule that is different from their usual times and places. This makes it difficult to keep track of whether my classes are online or in person or if I even have class that day. Something else that is challenging is not getting the full small college experience. Part of the reason I chose McPherson was to go to games, activities, and to attend in person classes and get to know my professors. Without this, I find it harder to want to learn and be successful, but I still know it is worth it in the long run. I cope with these changes by trying to stay active. I do my homework, go to some activities and wear a mask, go to my many jobs, and hangout with my roommates. This year wasn’t what I imagined my sophomore year of college would look like, but I’m still finding ways to make it worth my time and money.
Meghan Smith
Sophomore
I have a mixture of classes both online and on campus. The rules for Covid19 are listed on the website we use for classes, Bulldog Connect. Social distancing and masks are being used, and some students may not go to class every day because of the capacities being condensed. There are classes that are specifically online because a few professors cannot risk getting Covid19. Fall sports are starting later than normal and games have been reduced. Everybody has handled the change quite well. I know this isn’t only a big change for students, but for professors as well.
One of the big challenges I’ve faced this semester was trying to figure out a routine with my unusual schedule. My schedule is different every single week. Sometimes I have a class via Zoom, or in person or not at all. I have to pay close attention to the course syllabus to see when my class meets and when we don’t. My planner has definitely kept me organized as I get into the swing of things. I’m a transfer student, so it’s different for me getting to a new campus and knowing that this isn’t ordinary. It’s been especially hard trying to make friends so far. I live by myself in an apartment off campus which is a disadvantage. However, all of the students and staff have been super friendly and welcoming during this difficult time.
As far as I know, there hasn’t been anything too interesting that’s happened this week. There was a kid in my class who got tested for Covid19 because he was having a few symptoms. He shared a little bit about his experience in our Zoom meeting on Wednesday. He had to quarantine for two days until he got his results back, but the test was negative, which is very good!
Ellen Barrett
Sophomore
Tyler Norris
 Throughout the struggle in our world, still managing to maintain, educate, and better my knowledge. |  Not your conventional college education setting, asynchronous learning provides the largest challenge in earning that degree. But nobody said this was going to be easy. |
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 Stress management has been extremely easy through the pandemic, comfortably working day in day out. |  Somewhere on the horizon normality is making a return |
With Covid cases increasing all over in the United States, my classes have been split up, online and on campus. Living off campus and in a completely different town makes my life tricky for school. My schedule consists of going to school for one class, then an online class, and repeat throughout the day. Being online frees up more of my agenda to go to work more often. I can stay up later to get homework done, and above all I can help my family with things they need to get done around the house. Although it gives me more time away from the school, homework can get more exhausting not learning what to do in person. During this time I believe the most important part for us students and teachers is to stay communicating. If I miss a class, I tell them why and ask what was done in class.
Online classes depend on how the teacher is doing, and if they feel comfortable being around students in person. With online classes I participate in, we meet once a week on Zoom, and throughout the week we have an agenda to complete. Forums are written out, assignments are done and turned in before the class time on Mondays. Even in my hybrid class I turn in homework on Sunday nights, and have the whole week to take my time and turn them in. I also have to attend the class in a small group at the designated time and location to learn hands on and get experience. As Covid may block some fundamentals of my classes, I would rather have these classes than no classes at all.
Alyssa Lambert
Junior