It's been about three weeks since remote learning began, and I have to say, it was a huge adjustment for me and most of my peers.

The first few days were awkward, to say the least.

My very first class pretty much consisted of the teacher staring through the camera and into our souls, pleading with us to talk. Unfortunately, this didn’t seem to phase the majority of the class.

The student body had grown accustomed to free time and a long summer vacation. Now that we're back, it's taking a larger toll than expected. Waking up early in the morning and being prepared by 7:35 to learn on a computer for five straight hours isn't an ideal scenario by any stretch of the imagination. I've already slept through at least two of my classes and woken up in an outright panic, hoping that the absence wouldn't affect my grades.

For juniors and seniors, the bombardment of incoming standardized tests and college applications has everyone on edge. It's becoming increasingly difficult to maintain motivation towards school-work and extracurriculars. I'm starting to freak out about my grades. And one can't ignore that fact that the social atmosphere that is exists in a normal classroom is almost entirely lost in a remote setting.

The new system does have its perks, however. It's been easier to complete assignments and turn them in on time. The school day is shorter, and although remote learning is tedious, it's not as tiring as it was in-person. The routine of getting up, catching a bus, and sitting through five 69-minute classes a day was often exhausting.

Don’t get me wrong, I love our school--with all of its primordial quirks--but it has been a nice retreat from the locked bathrooms and indescribable smells in the building.

In recent weeks, I have had the energy to do my work and balance it with my outside life. But like I said, we're only a few weeks into the school year. The hybrid model starts soon. It could get a lot better, or a whole lot worse. We’ll just have to wait and see.

Mira Bartolino, class of 2022, is a columnist for the Dedham Mirror. She enjoys playing soccer, writing, and learning about politics and philosophy. In her spare time, she likes to hang out with friends and go to the movies.