STOCKTON – When the new school year opened back in August, we began the year by exclusively attending our classes through our online schedule. On April 6 th , the students were given the chance to come back to campus in a hybrid learning format. I chose to come back to campus and participate in hybrid learning. The main reason I came back to school was because of sports. I was required to be on campus, if I wanted to participate in extracurricular activities.

Finishing my football season made it worthwhile, for me, to come back. I can’t believe that we are now in the final weeks of our school year. Hybrid learning started with two days a week and then expanded to four days a week. I enjoy working my teachers in-person and it has been great to see my friends again. I was concerned about my health, but the decision to come back has been worth it for me.

My studies have improved by coming back to campus. Learning new material just seems easier for me when I am inside a classroom. I get to ask questions and there is usually some leftover time in class to get my homework started. I can see that my teachers are trying their collective best to teach to two different groups (at home and in-person) at the same time, but the needs of the students inside the classroom does steal away the attention of my teachers. It is very easy to feel left out when trying to learn from home. I have a new found respect for my teachers because I can see them trying their best to make both learning environments productive. Hybrid teaching is something that most of my teachers have never done before.

The biggest positive to the hybrid learning schedule is being home on Wednesday’s. Wednesday’s are the ultimate catch up day now. I get to catch up on my sleep and my homework. It’s really nice to have the whole day to yourself and you get to choose how you want to build your day. I can complete my assignments for the day in any order that I wish. I can stop for lunch when I am ready, and turn on the TV for some relaxation time. The biggest negative to my hybrid schedule is having to wear a mask all day on campus. I completely understand the safety precautions that wearing a mask provides, but sadly masks aren’t very comfortable. It’s hard to breath and talk while wearing a mask. It makes it difficult to visit with your friends during passing periods and lunch. Yet, the benefits do outweigh the negatives. I am not interested in having my friends or myself catch COVID, so the discomfort of wearing a mask is worth it. I don’t know if other students felt like I did, but coming back to campus did get me excited. I hadn’t gone to school in over a year and eliminating that feeling of awkwardness by being away for so long has been a big step. Fighting through my anxiety levels about COVID, could only have happened by participating with in-person school.

At first, even with football, I thought there was no point in going back to school with just roughly eight weeks left in the school year. I thought that maybe our school should think about using a hybrid schedule in August when school re-opens for next year. After experiencing hybrid learning, it is not that bad. By participating in hybrid learning, I have gotten back with my friends and that has made me feel a lot more motivated about school. I am truly getting the chance to finish the year on a positive note.