Both students and teachers are still trying to adjust to the online experience.  A day in the life of a Northwest student starts at 8 a.m. except for Early College Academy program students who start at 7 a.m.

Students of various grades have different perspectives and outlooks when it comes to the online experience. Students have more free time and most of the time isn’t a good thing in their eyes. Some students said they can’t focus well and get bored easily. One plus about online school according to some is it’s easier for students to stay organized. They don’t have papers all over the place to keep track of or papers they could accidentally throw away. 

There are some experiences that students don’t get this year, but there are still many good things coming out of it. The organization is a key thing to keeping the online school experience from getting messy and out of place. 

”I was not very organized when I went in person so online is honestly helping me be more organized,” Gage Weaver, junior, said. 

There are lots of different views on if going online is better or worse for the organizational skills of students. Students such as Miranda Lewis think going online for schooling this year is better for the organizational skills. 

  “It’s honestly easier to stay organized online because I don’t have a bunch of papers to keep track of,” Miranda Lewis, sophomore, said. 

Going online has caused many students to miss out on extracurricular activities and experiences. Freshmen this year are missing out on meeting new people and growing to know their teachers better. Seniors are missing out on spending time with their friends in their last year of high school. While there are some perks to staying at home, many miss being around people.

”I do enjoy being able to stay in bed, but I do miss being in a classroom and being able to build relationships with my teachers and classmates,” Lewis said.

One positive side to schools being online this year is that people have fewer chances of getting sick and students and teachers both get to experience this new way of learning together. There are still times where students are able to make fun of the situation and become friends with new people in instances where teachers put students in breakout rooms. With schools going online, it also gives students more opportunities to go in-depth with their work; they just have to be able to use their time management skills.

“Something I would highlight would definitely be those times when the class is in awkward silence. I just find that hilarious,” Ayah Gharbi, freshman, said. 

Weaver also has mixed feelings. 

“Some highs for the classes have been learning stuff that will apply in the future with financial literacy, and a low has been math homework,” Weaver said. 

While the reviews are mixed for remote learning, it’s likely to continue as long as the Board of Education determines it is the best way to protect students and staff.

“Online school is something some students love and some students hate, but we have to do to stay safe,” Jaya Smith, freshman, said.