Question of the Week: What are your thoughts about returning to virtual instruction?

Bluefield University students were originally scheduled to return to campus for the spring semester on Saturday, January 8 with some athletes checking in earlier, but this was delayed twice because of rising COVID-19 cases and winter weather.

An email from BU administration on Monday, January 3 informed the campus community that classes would be held remotely January 10-14, students would check-in January 17, and in-person instruction would begin January 18. Additionally, all on-campus students would be tested for COVID-19, regardless of vaccination status, and everyone would be required to wear a mask until February 1.

On Thursday, January 13, students received another BU email indicating that classes would be held remotely an additional week, and in-person instruction would begin on January 24. With all the delays and continued restrictions, we thought we’d ask BU students, “What are your thoughts about returning to virtual instruction and the ongoing COVID restrictions?”

• Makenzie Gomez, Communication, 2025

  When we came back to school we had to take our classes online for the first two weeks, and this caused me to struggle with getting in the flow of things. Other things that it caused is having to wear masks in certain classes, and personally I hate wearing masks because they are hard to breathe in.

• Amanda Scott, Sport Management, 2022
  I am an international student and live in Sweden. I was home during winter break and (was) supposed to come back to campus January 10 so I would be prepared and ready for (the) new start of this semester. Unfortunately, I got an email just a few days before that our classes (would) be…remote and (the) check-in date was changed. This was a hard situation for me. I had the option to stay an extra week in Sweden to spend some extra time with my family and play soccer, but I needed to change my flight ticket. Changing tickets isn’t always that easy, and especially if it’s less than 72 hours until your flight is supposed to depart. This time, I was lucky and had the possibility to change it, and of course I did.

  The first week of classes holding remote was pretty calm for me. I had one online class and all of my in-person classes (were) cancelled. We just needed to read through the syllabi, read some chapters in the textbook and complete a few assignments, but we did not have any lectures.

  At this point, my flight was supposed to depart on January 16, and I had all of my forms and COVID test ready for departing, but two days before, I got another email from Bluefield University that they extended the online period another week and check in day was changed another time, too. This time, it was even more tricky for me. I had less than 72 hours to departure and changing flight ticket was not cheap at all. I couldn’t change my flight ticket and needed to be an exception for the school.

  The night before I was supposed to travel, I checked another time what the cost would be for me to change tickets and this time it was free. I took this advantage and re-booked my ticket for the second time. Now I had the opportunity to stay another week back home.

  This week, I actually had lectures and classes during the whole week. It was hard for me because of the time difference. We are six hours ahead in Sweden so I had classes in the evening, when I was supposed to have practices and work. I needed to cancel all of these practices and focusing on school instead. This week passed by fast and I had a conversation with Josh Arnold all the time when I was home. I needed to know if we were extending the time further or if I could travel as I should on January 21. I got the information that the check in will be as it should on January 23 and I could finally travel on the Friday.

  So, to be short, I was supposed to fly January 10 from the beginning, but due to online classes and all the COVID cases on campus, I changed my flight ticket two times and finally arrived on January 21.
• Rob Littlejohn, Business Administration, 2023

  COVID restrictions, such as virtual instruction, have not had a negative impact on my life thus far. I actually find it easier to do virtual instruction for some classes, because I can learn from the comfort of my home. If COVID restrictions continue, I would not be disappointed depending on the classes I am taking. If I had to take a science class, I would prefer to be in person so I could be hands-on.

• Mason West, Psychology & Human Services, 2022

  I’m not a fan because there is a large amount of students that can’t stay on track.

• Brandon Shields, Business Administration, 2022

  The COVID-related changes, such as virtual instruction, haven’t really affected my spring semester. After being fully virtual in past semesters, I have gotten properly acclimated to the virtual world, so I haven’t missed a beat in that aspect. At this point, I believe that we must do whatever is best to decrease the spread of COVID whether it is virtual or in-person learning.

  Athletically, I have been sidelined by COVID-19 for over two weeks after catching it. However, I don’t believe there is a good enough reason to restrict fans from basketball games when we are in class every day with the same people that are going to be watching the games. We are now allowed to have fans so that is now in the past for the time being.