Compiled by McKay Lucas ’21 and Claire Ferris ’21
These quotes are parts of a collective whole that attempt to capture the oddities, pleasures, and difficulties that students encounter while navigating the world of virtual learning. Many highlighted the weirdness of being on campus after having [been at home] for so long, some spoke to quarantine study habits and hobbies, and others simply recounted the joy they feel in being able to be close to friends again through Flex Day and other on-campus, school approved activities. The nature of these quotes serve to highlight the beauty in CA students’ resilience, creativity, and strong connections and friendships with each other.
Ryan Chen (’21) on the Senior orientation day: “We got to do all the unique senior activities such as drawing masterpieces on our cars, bequeathing our hand prints onto the senior rock, and chatting amongst peers like the adamant scholars we are. Overall, it was a great experience heading into a senior year with a sea of question marks lying ahead.”
Grace Jaeger-Sandruck (’22) on the Junior orientation day: “I had a fun time and it was really good to see all my friends. It was a little different not being able to hug people or get near them, but overall it was really good even though we were social distanced.”
Nishant Pai (’23) on in-person school and orientation: “Sophomore Orientation was fun. I saw my friends and we hung out in advisory. Nothing felt weird about it, honestly. I think it was just cool that we were able to go back to school in person.”
Alessia Cicuto (’24) on meeting new people at orientation: “When I got to orientation I got to meet my advisor and he was super nice and friendly and really made everyone in my advisory seem very comfortable. I really didn’t find anything weird except that I was back at school and haven’t seen it since 5 months ago. I even made a few new friends!”
Jazlyn Dunn (’22) on seeing friends again and orientation: “I really loved seeing everyone again; it has been so long since we saw each other in person and then some of the people I didn’t contact as often so it was refreshing to see them again. It was nice knowing that even though we didn’t talk all that often, when we came back we didn’t miss a beat and nothing had changed.”
Georgia Moorhead (’21) on the Senior orientation day: “My favorite activity was the car painting! A couple friends decorated my car as a surprise and their illustrations were comical to say in the least. Seeing everyone again for the first time was kind of surreal! Even though we had to keep our distance, I really enjoyed hanging out with my friends and classmates during the class activities.”
Sydney Tai (’22) on seeing peers and quarantine hobbies: “After months of virtual school, it’s been really weird to see people in person again because you get so used to seeing them from the shoulders up. One thing I haven’t forgotten is the taste of Chef Sam’s alfredo sauce, and my proudest quarantine accomplishment is being able to successfully replicate it!”
Katie Shen (’24) on finding meaningful hobbies and study methods: I’m not going to lie, focusing during virtual learning and especially with a computer in front of you is hard, after all you’re only one click away from YouTube. However, I found that if I use the good old traditional paper and pen to take notes and only use my computer for calls, it is much easier to resist the urge to looking at something you’re not supposed to. My favorite way to take a break is to go out and bike. I have trails throughout my neighborhood so I get to relax my eyes and enjoy the fresh air. After sitting in a chair all day, it feels amazing to feel the breeze as you bike!”
Cy Reading (’22) on virtual learning and the Junior orientation day: “I usually take some time to get a snack or play with my dog if I’m feeling unfocused or tired during the day. I thought that being on-campus during the Junior orientation day was very refreshing after being at home for the previous 6 months.”
Rhoda Yakowenko (’23) on keeping busy while at home: “I haven’t seen anyone on campus since we shut down, but I’ve been fairly happy staying at home for virtual school, being naturally pretty introverted. I’ve found having hobbies and creative things to focus on outside of school helps because it keeps quarantine from feeling so tedious and pointless. That being said, I look forward to being able to safely return to school and see my friends again!”
Ian Chen (’24) on study habits and the strange nature of virtual school: I feel that a clean desk helps me immensely in focusing. With a cleaner, emptier, and more organized desk, and without the clutters of paper and pencils off to the sides, it is a lot easier to keep me focused during school. For me, I feel that virtual school is one of those dreams that you wish comes true before you experience it, but once you do, it feels like you are waiting for things to get back to normal. Pre-pandemic, not having to go to school for a trimester, let alone an entire year, seemed like something that way beyond the reach of any feasible dream. It seemed like the perfect scenario of school. However, once virtual school became a reality, I find myself counting down the days until I can get back on campus for school.