ATHABASCA - Edwin Parr Composite School students in Athabasca returned to in-person learning May 24 along with their peers across the province, after their third lockdown in the last year, and many are struggling with the lack of consistency in how they are being asked to learn.
With the outbreak that saw more than 100 infected at the school in April, the current semester at EPC has been especially challenging for some students.
On March 24, some were already starting to be put into isolation due to potential exposure to COVID-19, and by April 4 it was announced the school would remain shut until April 19 due to the outbreak they experienced. Students were back in class for just two weeks before the senior high end was shut down again between May 3 to 24.
Students are struggling with the constant changes, said Gr. 11 student Hannah Grove, and classmate Peyton Alix agreed that jumping back to unit tests that were missed a month before makes it difficult to recall information and to find the motivation to study and review.
“It is hard to adjust to the new routines when we continue to switch back and forth,” said Grove.
Grade 11 student Sascha Smethurst said she was also finding it difficult to get herself motivated due to the changes in the learning environment.
“I have to force myself to complete assignments on time and struggle with putting in a proper amount of effort,” she said.
For Anna Chambers, the inconsistency may be a challenge, but her motivation to excel hasn’t gone anywhere.
“The in-and-out schedule has not reduced my motivation for tests and assignments,” she said. “I am dedicated to doing my best no matter the circumstances.”
Motivation is one thing, but many are also seeing a decline in their marks too, as some have seen major fluctuations in their grades throughout the year.
Alix described the situation with his marks, saying, “It has put a real downgrade on my overall average, causing classes to both skyrocket due to a lack of tests online and plummet from rushed work and overwhelming numbers of exams upon returning in person.”
Annie Berger agreed, stating, “It has been a roller coaster. When at home I get more sleep, but have less motivation, although in school I find motivation far more easily.”
While each student agreed being in-person made classes and assignments easier, some felt it was still too soon to be back considering the high case numbers in the province, and it would have been more beneficial to keep school online until the end of the year.
“It’s easier to learn in person, but the stress of COVID-19 is making it hard to be there and still feel safe,” Smethurst explained.
“I might have just kept the last month online since we are almost done the year,” said Grove.
“I don’t think we should be heading back. If there is another COVID-19 outbreak it could ruin the graduation of some students,” Alix said. “Considering we are so close to the end, I am not sure it’s worth the risk, but either way, we’re all hoping classes will be back to normal for the coming fall semester.”
Although some felt this way, Chambers had a different perspective.
“I am happy to be back at school and I believe that the authorities involved in making these decisions are informed and are doing what is best for the students,” she said.
