Student life is something that is talked about a lot to new students applying for colleges.

Usually they have fun events, they help people navigate this new experience and answer any questions students may have.

Student life has very many things to offer to each student.

But how has that changed with COVID?

I spoke to the  student life coordinator at NECC, Stephanie Haskell, via zoom about how the program is working under these new rules.

There have been a handful of events this fall, such a smeetings for several clubs.

Student life has also planned out a ton more for the future!

All the advertising for these events is now online as a result of the virus.

“We usually do a lot of advertising on campus for events and offerings like on the boards, on the digital screens, on doors, and tables but we can’t so I’m trying to get more students to follow us on Facebook, twitter, Instagram andTik-tok,” said Haskell.

She also feels that reaching out more on social media is having a slight impact in student awareness of events.

The school has varied ages in its students, and this seems to be a way to reach out to most of the students.

Following the move to social media, all of the club registrations have been moved online as well.

Haskell stated “I think it’s easier just because if it’s on the computer, I used to work in Lawrence and Haverhill so, if not I would have to wait until I went to Haverhill to get the paperwork or Lawrence if somebody dropped it off there. So now I can access it anywhere.”

The fact that this has been made virtual also gave the department the opportunity for a revised club form.

The paper forms had not been redone in about five years, this gap has made it so the information on those sheets is no longer relevant or not as specific as it should be at the current time.

The paper form made it hard for specific questions about club meetings to be answered.

Another plus to this switch is now anyone can submit their form atany time, rather then waiting till you are on campus and have the offices be closed.

Haskell said she does feel that it is harder to make connections with the students.

While there are still meetings via zoom and other platforms, it does not give the same feel as being surrounded by classmates and faculty.

It is not harder to make a lasting connection with the students she does meet with.

“I go with a mission, like I need to ask a question about NSLS or something and then it gets into being ‘my daughter did this or I did this at myfriend’s house this week,” she said.

While the switch from a normal campus life to virtual has shifted many things, the Student Life office is still finding many ways to have fun and connect with the students of Northern Essex, and they will continue to make plans for events according to what will work.

For more information about Student Life activities at NECC, visit https://www.necc.mass.edu/experience/

 

Going all the way back to March, students nationwide have had to master the art of online classes. Fast forward to present day this is still the case and it doesn’t seem to be changing anytime soon.

Many local schools have opted for completely online or hybrid for the time being.

Northern EssexCommunity College has made the entire first semester online for its students.

I spoke to some students and professors about how they feel about everything being online.

The overall response I got was it’s not ideal, but they are working through it the best way they see fit.

Eli Duff, a freshman majoring in Human services stated “After having an online and virtual outcome forsenior year, I was grateful for some experience and trust in my online school abilities! With collegecourses, activities and events being held online, it has truly been a difficult and enlightening situation. Ihave always loved being with people and being able to interact with others face-to-face but with thisnew adaptation, I have been shown a new obstacle that I am willing to take on! Seeing across what hashappened, there are many new online methods and wonderful ways that have allowed us to completesimilar tasks as we may be used to.”

The school has done a lot to help its students up to this point. They have made it, so studentshave access to Wi-Fi hot spots on campus. They have had students go to campus and pick up muchneeded supplies. Even with the added resources from NECC students are still finding it hard to stayfocused and motivated on their schoolwork.

“I find myself having to lock myself in my room some nightsjust to get my work done.” Says Freshman Matthew Glynn.

The struggle kids are facing currently is likely not to shift much. Northern Essex posted on theirwebsite the plans for the spring semester. They state that the spring semester will begin on Jan. 22 ofthe new year. The new semester will have some classes on campus, but it has been limited to the classes that need to be in person such as lab classes.

Each student I have spoken too have said that they wouldrather be in person. Alicia Clogston a nursing major, says “So personally I don’t like everything being online because I don’t learn as good and having to basically teach myself everything is harder and I honestly don’t think teachers are putting as much effort in. I prefer in person. As much as I hate actuallygoing to class it’s a lot easier to learn with the teacher right there in front of you and taking noteswhereas staring at a computer screen.”

Being online is not the only stress in student’s lives these days. Due to the schedule being what you want to make it, kids are now having to balance home and school in the same setting. Many students working have picked up more hours or even other jobs to fill their empty time, and now haveto throw in being a teacher to themselves. Situations like these are likely to influence the work ethic ofstudents as well as the mental health. Some are handling it by being able to to still develop a clear divide between the two.

Patricia Portanova, a professor in the English department sates ‘I am coping with work/life balance in the same ways that I hope our students are- by creating a structured daily schedulewith manageable deadline, dedicating a space for work in my home, logging off at the end of each day,and creating space for down time to focus entirely on my loved ones and self-care.”

It’s clear that everyone is experiencing this in all different ways, but it is also clear that everyindividual is working through it to their best abilities, as well as helping each other through these tryingtimes