Will Stanco: Finding Flexibility
When I first read the news that our fall quarter courses at Santa Clara University would be delivered entirely online I was wary of how it would go. I have always followed a traditional/old school student archetype. I preferred being in the classroom, handwriting notes, and visiting professors for office hours. Adaptation was the only way that my fellow Broncos and I would have been able to survive, and unsurprisingly we found ways to maximize the virtual experience.
Throughout the quarter, I adjusted to taking classes online in a few different ways. Most days of the week I ensured that I was in a comfortable, but still educational friendly spot. It was way too easy for me to get distracted if I was sitting on the couch while on a Zoom call. Instead my desk became my new home for the ensuing ten weeks. Although this came naturally to me, the added flexibility of taking class in an online format opened up many new doors. Every Friday I allowed myself to take a bit of a field trip to either Santa Cruz or a hiking spot nearby. Class with a view was refreshing every week. Additionally, I planned a great weekend trip up to Lake Tahoe with some of my friends. Normally our travel plans would have been distorted, but the flexibility of taking a course wherever allowed for a surprisingly fun quarter.
Now that Week Ten has concluded, I can happily say that my worries over virtual classes have faded. The adjustments in the beginning definitely took some getting used to, but as most Santa Clara students will tell you, it is in our blood to make the most of any situation in front of us.