Open Letter from Stressed Junior

Grace Osoteo

Dear Teachers,

Yes, we know you guys would be the first to admit that this is a trying time. Sure, we know that your hearts are with us, and that you’re always available to talk to if we need support. And of course, we can reach out to you if we have any questions.

But for the love of God, did that have to be the footnote at the end of a fifty-page packet?

It seems with online learning continuing for the rest of the school year, you’ve decided to amp up the amount of work we get. Teachers that barely assigned any homework are now giving me tons of essays, worksheets, and pointless activities. I know you have to replace everything we did during class time, but I don’t remember this much busywork.

I know it’s difficult for you to get accustomed to online teaching. Believe me, it is for us, too. I can only imagine how it feels to get acclimated to a whole new system. We know you’re doing your best to still present us with learning materials.

Amidst all this, though, you need to remember this isn’t a normal situation. This is a global pandemic, people! It is not easy! Everyone’s daily routines have changed drastically, to a point where they’re almost unrecognizable. The stresses of constantly changing information, limited human interaction, and increasing cancellations are ever-present. Personally, the crushing weight of being alive right now is a full-time assignment on its own.

The amount of things that have been taken away from our high school experience is astounding. (And no, I’m not belittling the people who are suffering and dying, of course not!) Last seasons for the seniors, prom, pep rallies, graduation, the spring musical, concerts, field trips- it’s depressing to think about. So please, PLEASE, from someone who is taking 5 AP tests in the next two weeks, don’t overload us with homework!

Some of my teachers have been assigning a set amount of work at the start of the week and making it due at the end of the week. That’s acceptable. Also nice: I have a teacher who posts a song for us to listen to every day. And one of my teachers sends check-in emails for us to see how we’re doing progress-wise. Finally, office hours on a Google Meet where we can check in and chat are fun, too.

Not ideal? Daily Zooms, flooding our Google Classroom feeds, and assignments that are timed (barring essays for practice, though we have done quite a few…). With the line between work life and home life being blurred for all of us, it’s important not to overwork your students OR yourself! I think we all need to breathe, take a step back, and remember that everyone is doing their best.

Sincerely,

Grace Osoteo