Carver students, along with many students across the US, have been working remotely since March of 2020. They’ve learned how to send eloquent emails to teachers because of the limited time that they spend together in class as well as balancing school work with their home lives. However, students miss going to school and interacting with people. It was a way for students to get out of their comfort zone, be more vocal, and make new friends. Now, students are staying home and looking at screens all day. But how is it affecting them now that everything is virtual?

Grades during this time seem like a breeze for students, like senior Kokleang Kang, who shared that his grades “are looking pretty nice right now.” Other students agree, pointing out that tests are easier and maintaining As is more manageable from home. However, virtual learning has presented some difficulties in motivation. “Joining classes on time, waking up on time, and submitting work on time” are all struggles for junior Muhammed Zubair. Even straight-A student, Charity Robbins has struggled with remote learning.

“ There so many challenges with being online you don’t get that human interaction that you really value during the day, “ she stated. “You’re at home all the time around your family and I do love my family but I also love being out and talking to other people. It’s very challenging to find new people to talk to as a journalist. It’s really hard to find people to connect to you know. I feel like clubs are difficult too. I just joined a new club and I was looking forward to it and it’s fine. But it isn’t the same as it would be in person.”

These struggles all seem to point back to the lack of socialization, which used to be an important aspect of the school day. "Lack of socialization are commonly linked to depression." It has also been shown that it makes our brain “rewire and affect our ability to successfully engage in activities.” Carver students, like Muhammed, are noticing these changes, now that socializing has all gone digital.

“[Socializing does affect me] because if I’m able to have a good time in a day, then I feel like I would be able to concentrate on my work better, Muhammed explained. "If I don’t have much interaction it’s just boring so I’d rather not do it.”

Kokleang shared that being isolated can make him feel less motivated to engage with schoolwork or school activities.

“I’d say that I have felt unmotivated and not being able to do anything at all,” Kokleang said. “Just simply like it’s just different. I feel like the main reason why you want to go to school is not only to get an education, it’s also the communication aspect with all your friends and etc. Have I ever felt like this in person? No. If everything was normal, I would be fine.¨

Students have noticed that a support system is really important to stay motivated and positive.

“The people I surround myself with me, motivate me,” Kok-leang continued. “They motivate me to do better. In order to have motivation or success, you have to surround yourself with the right people. People not only that bring you up but let you know to get your act together. Like I said everything was better when it was normal.”

Some students are thinking outside the box about how schools can support students right now. Matthew wants the school to be more focused on real-world problems and on helping students prepare for life outside of just academics. He thinks students would be more engaged with lessons on how to cook, how to drive, and how to file their taxes. Similarly, Muhammed and Kok-Leang wish that school would provide more support around time management and emotional wellness.

“The school could make classes shorter,” Kok-leang suggested. “If classes were shorter a little more it allows us to not be on the screen too long. Obviously, it’s not helpful for you. Less screen time the better. Another thing, maybe the school could maybe once a week check-in with everyone. During advisory, have everyone go into separate break-out rooms and have their advisory just like check up on that person. It might be a lot but a little bit can go a long way.”

Charity would love to see some changes as well and wishes she had more time to connect to teachers outside of class time and on a more one-to-one basis.

“I just wish office hours were longer,” Charity said. “At school, I would be able to talk to multiple teachers. Now you join office hours and talk to one teacher and it’s over unless you email but that’s just too difficult .”