Is virtual learning taking away from the “College experience?” What COD students think Fall semester should look like

For college students all over virtual learning has brought on a whole new college experience. Cal State schools have announced that virtual learning will continue through Fall semester.

Local college students are sharing what their experiences have been learning online and if it has impacted their college experience.

“I believe the pandemic has taken away from my college experience," Mariana Villarroel told News Channel 3. "I love learning so just learning on campus in class with those teachers, you don’t have that experience when it’s online,” she said.

Villarroel is a student at College of the Desert. She’s preparing for finals next week that’ll all be online.

“Online has been interesting," Villarroel said. " I’ve never had online classes before so it’s definitely a big shift,” she added.

We also met with Lesley Chavez, another student at COD who shares what her experience has been like doing college from home.

“To be completely honest I think it’s going well," Chavez said. "I had already taken online classes before so this wasn’t a new experience for me,” she said.

One of the challenges with virtual learning Chavez said is missing out on that one-on-one time with her professor.

“Professors aren’t as advanced technologically and understanding how to work Zoom so that was a difficult transition,” she said.

She also said having the flexibility to work from home on her own time is quite nice.

“Another thing I really really like is that the college is doing tutoring online," Chavez said. "If you have a question then it’s really easy to get help right then and there,” she added.

We asked Chavez if she would feel comfortable going back to into the classroom in the fall.

“I would definitely say that I would not feel comfortable going back,” Chavez said.

Villarroel on the other hand, can’t wait to get back to class.

“I would like to go back in the fall because it would be a little bit back to normal,” she said.

Chavez thinks before students should come back that schools should consider putting more safety measures in place like sanitation stations.

“I know some students may be finding this time or might be stressed and anxious with everything that’s going on and if we were to go back to school that would probably heighten the stress and anxiety of, ‘oh, am I at risk?’ so maybe some resources for that,” Chavez said.

This is Chavez's last semester at COD. She’ll be transferring to Cal State Fullerton in the fall.

Even though she agrees with Villarroel that the pandemic has taken away her college experience she’s focused on the positive.

“It's kind of sad to let go of that dream of having this experience but I’ve had two years at COD and they were very wonderful to me and I thank everybody there who mentored me and I think that’s more than enough for me,” Chavez said.

As of now, College of the Desert and CSUSD Palm Desert campus plan on keeping classes online for the fall semester.