Students reflect on how remote learning has improved their close friendships, time management, and social interaction as the one year anniversary of BU’s COVID-19 shutdown approaches.

Remote learning has relocated most interactions online, affecting staff and students alike. As a result, students have faced technical difficulties, social isolation, and productivity in their courses.

In a preliminary plan, the university described how Blackboard and Zoom, current platforms utilized by BU, would host remote learning courses in the case of a campus shutdown. On March 11, BU announced all classes were moved to online learning. BU has now transitioned to Learn From Anywhere (LfA) in which students can choose to study remotely, in-person, or a combination of the two.

According to BU’s Learn from Anywhere page on the university’s website, “courses employ a mix of in-person, remote, and asynchronous components to create a flexible learning experience designed to accommodate a diverse range of situations in which students might find themselves because of public health considerations, travel restrictions, or personal health circumstance.”

With LfA beginning in the 2020-2021 school year, some students opted to learn in-person as much as possible.

“Whenever I have in person class I try to go in person because I don’t want to be stuck in my room,” said Abby Safier, an 18-year-old COM student. She also added how in-person classes help her avoid using her phone as a distraction during class time.

BU also implemented COVID-19 policy and protocol which includes the expectations for regular testing, face covering, and physical distancing. Many students took advantage of the different ways they could interact with their community in a COVID-19 compliant way.

“I think being on campus [with COVID], you don’t meet as many people as you would, but you form a closer connection. Especially because you can’t go to any other dorm buildings, you make friends only with the people in the dorm,” said Gracie Kim, a 18-year-old advertising student.

Having to socially distance on campus has not hindered some people. In fact, they have more time to foster individual friendships.

“Since we can’t hang out in big groups, I feel like my friendships have become deeper and closer,” said Miya Furukawa, a 19-year-old political science major. “If you’re with two people, you’re able to form better, closer friendships.”

Furthermore, LfA due to the pandemic has prioritized the idea of blended learning at BU, which has been rapidly gaining traction in colleges and universities. When the pandemic struck the U.S., many universities nationally resumed with remote learning and continued improving it throughout and beyond its year long span.

According to a 2018 article in the Journal of Computing in Higher Education, experts said nearly 70% of U.S. higher education institutions in the United States believed “online education is crucial to their long-term strategies,” and blended learning has been beneficial at the course and student level.

COVID-19 had an immediate impact on online platforms like Zoom and Microsoft Teams, pushing remote learning as a primary option for students.

According to a 2020 journal published in Higher Education Studies, “there is a clear need for post-secondary online learning expertise in this crisis and it should serve as a reminder that institutions need to cultivate this competency.”

In addition, the same journal says remote learning can be a preference for some as they can review lessons from home when they have time.

BU students echoed this sentiment. “I do like it [remote learning] because it gives me the opportunity to choose when I want to go to in-person classes and do things online,” said Jazmine Ramos, an 18-year-old COM student.

A 21-year-old COM major, Lilly Tonetti, explained how she was doing better on online, open-book tests. She said the professors are lenient with due dates as well.

Although the shutdown caused students to be sent home mid-semester in March, remote learning allowed students to visit their family after months away from home. For those who chose to study remotely last fall, they could feel well-assured about their safety.

“With the situation [COVID-19], it is reassuring to have the choice to go online and in person,” said Lauren Wasserman, a 19-year-old sophomore in COM. “I was at home last semester, so I got to spend time with my family.”

The pandemic has been stressful for all students, staff, and families involved; however, BU students’ shared experiences have shed light and positivity on the brighter side of remote learning.

“I didn’t anticipate my college experience to be like this,” said Emma DelaRosa, a 19-year-old freshman double majoring in Political Science and COM. “It gave me a chance to get close to a small amount of people. I started appreciating things a lot more.”

Media science sophomore Alex Berger said he doesn’t feel FOMO—fear of missing out—and generally feels more “content, mellow, and calm.”

Students find they have more opportunity to slow down and enjoy their day at slower paces. Combined with remote learning and social distancing regulations, BU’s campus looks different compared to last year, but students are figuring out how to manage this unconventional transition.

“You realize you have all this time on your hands, and you have to figure out who and what is worth your time,” said Andre Salkin, a 19-year-old COM student.