Student Perspective: Online learning and how to take it as it comes

Written by Elizabeth Hauspie, Communications Work Study Student

As a student, it is hard to imagine what King’s University College will look like this term. Many other students and I have a never-ending list of questions and concerns that come up. Every time one question is answered, it brings up several more. As someone with anxiety and depression, this coming school term fills me with worry, but I have had to learn to let go and take this year as it comes.

Part of my process in calming my nerves for the coming school term is realizing that staff, faculty and students don’t have all the answers that we are all desperately looking for. There is no playbook addressing this situation because the world hasn’t dealt with something like this before. Currently, our world, our universe, is changed. However, one thing remains the same; King’s cares about the community and, most importantly, its students.

With the shift to online learning, there is no doubt some worry – but I know that students will have support from staff and faculty. I don’t know how this year will go, but I know I have the support, and just because this is new doesn’t mean it’s bad. This new experience might even open new doors and encourage resilience.

This summer, I have had the privilege of joining the Media and Communications Department at King’s as a Work-Study Student. I have seen first-hand how compassionate the staff of King’s are in supporting students—working around the clock to answer as many student and faculty questions as possible and making sure that the information is accessible and available.

Even though the world seemed to have stopped for many students, it did not stop for staff. Staff continued to work remotely, some dealing with children, and many adjusting to the changes of working from home.

King’s has shown tremendous resilience when it comes to supporting students during this time. I have used the King’s callback form to talk with academic counsellors over the summer. I have gone to the King’s website multiple times in search of answers to my questions. The FAQ page and the new searchable timetable to find out if my classes will have in-person options are helpful tools.

Being a part of King’s has also helped me create lifelong friendships. During COVID, these friendships have been a lifeline for me. King’s has instilled the idea to take care of each other – during the beginning of quarantine, I made sure that I was reaching out to friends and checking in. I would hate for people to feel alone and isolated because we are all in this together.

The King’s community will continue to provide support and compassion during this time because, at King’s, we take pride in caring for each other. Pride is demonstrated in the KUCSC charity initiatives throughout the summer. I have seen first-hand the dedication of students who continue to get together, either at King’s in-person or online. The tenacity of our professors determined to make this blended approach to learning work, changing their plans of the 2020 school year and reformatting the way that their courses are laid out. There are still the smiling faces that greet you whenever you’re on campus. Maintenance crews, outdoor groundkeepers, and janitorial staff have been working diligently to care for the property of King’s. By caring for each other, King’s will remain strong and resilient during COVID.