Are students ready to go back to Vanguard?

With Vanguard’s latest announcement to transition to in-person learning for the fall semester of 2021,  students are in the midst of emotions. Some are excited to be going back to see friends after a long year. Meanwhile, others are concerned if their anxiety would be able to take this new adjustment. 

When it comes to online education it is safe to say that in-person learning is much more appreciated now than before. However, the question is are the students mentally ready to come back to campus?

Going back to Vanguard’s message to the faculty and students it reads as: 

“As we prepare for in-person learning, living, and campus programming, we will continue to be guided by local, state and federal public health orders, while working closely with the Orange County Health Care Agency.” and, “We will make modifications to on-campus programs as necessary to preserve the health and safety of our students and employees.” signed by Dr. Mike Beals. 

Even though, Vanguard has yet to announce the transition plan for the fall of 2021 it has promised to keep up with the local and state guidelines.  The school has decided to continue to keep it a safe environment for the new school year, but will the transition affect the students?

According, to a New York Times article by clinic psychologist, Jenny Taitz mentioned how quarantine has been affecting humans’ mental health. Also, Taitz mentioned how most extroverted people have been experiencing social anxiety due to the stay-at-home order that has now been going on for over a year. 

“I’m noticing that despite socializing less, many of my clients are stressing more about connecting. Even those who generally describe themselves as extroverted are noticing social anxiety” said Jenny Taitz in the New York Times, How to Deal With Quarantine-Induced Social Anxiety. 

Keeping that in mind, there are many extroverted students and faculty on campus to which could be going through that situation. As the world seems to open there is no doubt that socializing will be a big activity once students are welcome on campus. Certain students are critical about coming back and find the news to be causing a divided feeling. 

“I got to get used to a lot of people being on campus again, having a small number of people was the norm for a year. But now seeing a lot of students is going to be so weird for me,” said Owen Maldonado, Junior.   

Another recurring thought among students is: how will they be practicing social distancing meanwhile in class? Even though Vanguard’s classes are averagely under sixty students, there is still fear that classes will still feel immense due to pandemics. 

“No, I don’t feel ready! I’ve spent most of my time at home quarantined so it’s gonna be weird. I think it might be a little overwhelming at first with so many people around each other and having to practice social distancing in large classes” said Savanah Poulos, Junior. 

On the other hand, there are students who have been getting affected by quarantine both physically and mentally. Interestingly enough, some of those students believe they would benefit more from going to campus right away rather than staying in quarantine. 

“Throughout this pandemic, I understand and support the need for social distancing and isolation, but I can confidently say it has destroyed my mental health. People need other people, and hour-long facetime convos and loving text messages only go so far. Although I’m uneasy about being with people again, I know that once I’m there they’ll be others there to support me, people who are feeling exactly like me,” said Anabelle Rigg, Junior. 

Needless to say, in-person education makes an impact on academics and social skills. With only a few more months to end the school year, the wait for the transition period will be in a blink of an eye.  The wait is almost over and students will soon get to go on campus and enjoy the real college experience.