After the shutdown of schools across the nation due to the COVID-19 virus, a new system of online learning was implemented across the nation. Many students struggled to adjust to this new way of learning, while others quickly grew accustomed to learning from home. 

This year, in the 2022-2023 school year, a growing number of students have chosen to attend class from home, and some only come to school for two of their classes. Is this a direct result of the COVID-19 shutdowns, or is it just a new way of learning, as a result of technology and an evolving world? 

Ashley Rogers (11), a student from Aliso Niguel High School who signed up for the Cal Prep program this year and only attends two classes in-person, acknowledges that, “[she] had been having trouble with motivation with school because of social anxiety and time management, things like that, so naturally it sounded totally right for [her].”

When asked on whether she thinks online learning in the 2020-2021 school year had anything to do with her decision to go online, she states, “Oh definitely, with having already done a year online and being comfortable with that, it made it a lot easier to make the switch… it made me realize that I’m more of an at-home learner.”

Students who have chosen to work from home this new school year are content that there are programs to help guide them and help them complete their school credits. 

Some students have chosen to go completely online with programs such as the CalPac. When taking a look at their website, CalPac claims that, “[Their] program is nothing like the hastily assembled distance learning that in-person schools turned to during pandemic lockdowns,” but is it really better?

Clara Gustafson (11), a former student at ANHS, says that she decided to switch to full online learning because “[she] didn’t like the people at public school and the grading system was too rough.” She claims that she is pleased with programs like CalPac which make it possible to learn from home, while also getting a quality education. This new method of online learning seems to be working for a slim percentage of students, but many students prefer coming to school because it makes them feel more productive.

Yasmin Marouf (11), a current student at Aliso Niguel High School states that, “Coming back to school after the shutdowns made me feel normal again. Online learning was not working for me at all. Learning on a computer didn’t keep me motivated and everyday felt the same.”

Mariam Taheri (11), states that “it took [her] a little while to get used to in-person school, but after a month [she] was well adjusted, so it started hard but go easier overtime.” When asked about whether Mariam liked online school better or coming back in-person, she claims, “I actually really liked online school. In fact, I got my highest grades during that time. But I like being back at school and talking to my friends. Also I think being able to talk to my teachers in-person has really helped me with connecting with them and understanding the content I’m learning.” 

Undoubtedly, online learning affected almost every student, whether that be in a positive or negative way. Many students felt much more comfortable learning at home, in their own space, while others wanted to get back to school and interact with their friends and teachers in a learning environment.