The freshman distance learning experience

By Dyllan Tran

This year, most schools have had to use distance learning to teach their students.

Starting high school, I was expecting a brand new experience including exploring the campus, finding my classes, and experiencing clubs/sports. However, I was disappointed when I found out that I was going to be taught at my house.

Getting into my classes for the first time was difficult because I had to look around for all the links, but I eventually got used to it. I also started realizing how distance learning has perks, such as being able to sleep in and not having to get ready before going to class.

I was not the only freshman to be disappointed in not getting the chance to experience highschool.

Hieu Pham is another freshman at Yerba Buena that started high school not expecting it to be taught through a screen.

Distance learning was entirely different from what he was used to: going to school in person and interacting with his friends.

With this big change comes many difficulties. Pham said, “The hardest part of distance learning is the struggles that many people have to deal with at home such as internet issues, background and getting used to distance learning.”

Another difficulty Pham faces is waking up. “I had to face the struggles of getting into my classes, and having to wake up at a specific time to go to my distance learning class,” Pham said.

Pham said he prefers learning in person rather than distance learning because it is more difficult getting help from teachers. He said that it usually takes longer to get help, “I have to email teachers for help and it usually takes some time before they respond because of other students.”

According to Itzela Tafolla, a college freshman, from “What’s it like to be a college freshman during a pandemic?” from EdSource, “I was looking forward to the whole campus life, finding where my classes were, meeting new people, getting to meet the professors, and wandering around the campus.”

Similar to Tafolla, Pham also looked forward to experiencing highschool for the first time. Pham especially was looking forward to the clubs and sports: “I look forward to more of the sports and clubs that high schools have including badminton and maybe a chess club.”

Even though there are many difficulties caused by the pandemic, he said he’s not ready to go back to school because of the risk of getting the coronavirus.

Pham admits that distance learning isn’t all that bad.

He got used to distance learning pretty quickly. Pham says, “It got pretty easy to get used to learning behind a screen because I usually use my devices for watching, gaming, and other stuff.”

Two benefits came from distance learning for Pham. Pham gets more sleep because of distance learning, “The best part of distance learning is that I get to sleep in more and it makes me more ready for the day.”

Pham also said he doesn’t have to walk to school every morning like he usually does, “I don't have to walk to school every time because distance learning is done at home.”

Even though distance learning comes with many difficulties, along with those difficulties come some benefits like being able to sleep in, and having easy access to your classes.

I admit that distance learning wasn’t convenient or comfortable for me either, but I’m grateful that I had the opportunity to experience it. This experience also helped me see the positive benefits of distance learning like being able to stay at home, and getting to relax during breaks.