Online classes are slowly becoming a part of our life but I haven’t got used to it yet. It is not that I have never sat in front of my laptop and listened to hours and hours to an educator teaching but this is different!

I have done online courses in past. I have done the Hubspot certification courses and more! But with those, I never felt tired. But with these google meet classes, I am unable to handle it. I have complaints about online classes and I am going to jot them down below. So, please read.

Forced timings

Just like university classes I have to be present at a particular time. It is not a bad thing. Problem is I am also having my office work at almost the same time. Most of the times I am attending my classes and also doing office work.

But what actually happens is I cannot focus on the lecture! I miss it out. Later I have to ask my friend for inputs. I would rather have recorded videos just like Hubspot videos where I will have the liberty to listen to the lecture several times.

Yes, Google meets or Zoom classes are interactive. I can ask questions to the person but still, there is a miscommunication. I feel it is because I am in my room. There is no educational environment. Moreover, while listening to the lectures I start thinking about something else!

Too many distractions

I have read several blogs about getting distracted during online classes. Yes, I am also getting distracted. It is either a call or message from office or just my habit of checking the phone again and again.

Even during the classes, I would unconsciously grab my phone, open the WhatsApp or some other social media sites to have a look. But this only happens when I am not that interested in the lecture.

This didn’t happen when I was studying at university. There even if the lecture was boring I would be able to focus. But with these online classes, the focus is long gone.

Moreover, another distraction is my bed. I was using my desk and chair for most of my classes. However, due to sitting for almost 12 hours a day, I now have a nerve-related problem in my leg. So, had to shift to bed. And, I don’t need to explain to you how distracting and welcoming the bed is.

Most of the times, I am simply lying down on the bed and listening to the lecture! But am I getting the information in my head? Not much. Few lines maybe!

Another thing I have noticed is that my interest in writing notes is completely gone. Yes, Gone! I have stopped writing running notes. I don’t feel like anymore. But if I was in class I would try to write down each and every word coming out of the lecturer’s mouth.

Related: Guide: How To Be Productive During Online Classes

Notes taking: a huge mess

As mentioned earlier, I lost my interest in taking running notes. Initially, I started typing down the notes. I would have my class’s chrome opened at one side and my word on the other side. I could write down quicker and better like that but it was quite tiring! So, I gave up that as well.

I went back to my old notebook and pen. But now I have completely lost my interest in taking running notes but I do. I still do! It is important to jot down a few points.

However, I am not writing like before. I used to feel proud before the pandemic that I wrote down hours of information in my notebook. Obviously, I won’t be able to write down everything. But I would write down most of the things.

If I had missed something, batchmates will help out. So, it wasn’t a big deal. But turns out with online classes not even a few of my batchmates are writing down! So, is everyone feeling the same? I doubt it.

Problems for the educator

What students are facing is a problem! But what our beloved professors and guest lecturers are facing is a tragedy. Most of them are not tech savvy. This is completely new to them. At least, we are not new to this whole online listening and speaking.

For example, one of our lecturers had unknowingly left from the google meet and didn’t realize. He kept on lecturing the screen with no students on it. We tried to inform him through phone calls and messages but he was focussed on teaching.

But a few of our lecturers are quite smart. For example, one of our guest lecturers had done courses on online teaching before the whole online class system started for us. So, I feel that now more and more educators need to be trained in handling such devices and software.

Another dangerous thing about such online classes is surveillance. If you were thinking there isn’t any third party keeping an eye and listening to what is going in the class then you are very wrong. None of the classes we are having are completely safe. So, it’s better we don’t speak much political while in the class. But as our subject demands we have to. I hope there are no serious consequences.

Continuous Headaches

I don’t know about others, but I have headaches almost every day. Staring at the screen for hours is causing me serious headaches. On top of that, I have migraine issues.

So, almost every day, after the classes and office work which also deals with staring at the screen, I have severe headaches. I have to get myself to bed immediately.

Watching the screen continuously is also impacting our eyes tremendously. I already have glasses with a special screen that protects my eyes from the screen’s light but for people who don’t, be careful!

I got my glasses on due to staring at screens only! And honestly having glasses all the time is something I don’t like. I of all people wish to get rid of my glasses forever. But it is impossible now. I am scared of LASIK and I am not planning to wear contact lens anytime soon.

Zero interaction with batchmates

One of our batchmates suggested that we have our separate Google meet where we can talk and discuss just like in the classroom. But obviously, no one was up for it.

You can’t get the same feel like meeting the person in real. And that no interaction is causing massive troubles. We are not meeting each other in real. We are only listening to words or sometimes, we are simply sticking to texts. This is causing miscommunication.

Blame games are high due to this. Before even if there was a fight in the WhatsApp group, we could sort it out by meeting each other. But now? Well, COVID-19 is an obstacle.

Less interaction with family

I am at home but I am unable to spend much time with my mother because almost the whole day I am on my laptop! This is another issue. Almost every two-three days my mother would complain that I am not spending enough time with her. But I do! At least in the evening I have a long chat with her about life over a cup of tea.

But our talks are mixed with the fear of coronavirus. My father is stuck in Bihar so it’s much more worrying for all of us. But what to do? Life has to go on like this.

My aunty makes visits now and then. She gossips with my mother so that makes up for her interaction with a human being. However, most of the times I remain alone with my phone. Not that I hate it, but sometimes I also want to talk to someone physically.

No time to study seperately

If you are not working along with the classes, you may have enough to read a few topics. But I hardly get time! I have a fear that this semester exams are going to be a real mess for me. I have bought two books till now and I have hardly read two pages.

Sometimes I read the notes sent by our lecturers. However, that happens rarely. Moreover, the topics that we have for this semester are something new to us. So, I am having a problem understanding them. But I am trying my best.

Some good things about online classes

The best things about the ongoing online classes are that I don’t have to travel. Before the pandemic, I had to travel for almost 4 hours every day. I live far away from my university so yes, I have to use auto, train and then bus to reach my university every day.

Not that I have any issue with that.

I have been doing that for almost 4 years now so I have got used to it. But believe me, after returning home I have zero percent of energy left in my body. I don’t even get time to study my notes or gossip with someone after I return home. But since interactions were happening in the university, I didn’t have much to complain!

So, yes, the daily online classes are saving me a lot of time and energy. I am not tired anymore and most importantly my mother isn’t worried for me anymore. I am comfortable in my house clothes whole day. As I am doing work from home now so I have the liberty to sleep anytime of the day.

The concept of Fixed office hours is long gone. Most of the days I am working from early morning till 9 at night. And in between those hours, I am having my online courses as well. It is challenging but it is fun as well.

CONCLUSION

So, do I like these online classes? My answer is neutral. As much as I hate these pandemic online classes, I am also enjoying a few of the interactive classes.

Classes – they depend on the educator. Whether they can make it interesting for us! So, obviously, it varies. But I personally would have loved video recordings which I can listen and watch again and again. Just like the free online courses! With Google meet, if I miss something, that’s it! I am not getting it back again. So, yes that’s all I have to say about my life with online classes right now.