(Attribution: Greg Wohlford Erie Times-News)

Carolyn Hogg 

Staff Writer

Ceh5530@psu.edu  

Much to the relief of students and staff, Behrend will be returning to regular in-person classes for the fall semester. For most, this exciting news couldn’t come at a better time. 

Some students are already taking in-person classes and maybe well adjusted to the nuances of the classroom. However, others are still mostly online.   

For them especially, returning to in-person classes will likely be a welcome relief from the challenges of attending classes online. But as with any major change, this transition will call for some readjustments.  Here are a few aspects of in-person classes to be prepared for:  

1) One of the most anticipated factors of returning to in-person classes will be the increased opportunities to connect with and make new friends. Taking classes online has been a significant blow to the social lives of students who thrive on interacting with their classmates. Ultimately, being able to socialize with peers on a daily basis allows for greater potential to develop interpersonal relationships. Additionally, attending classes with friends as well as being able to easily participate in class discussions will make the learning experience far more enjoyable and personable for all those involved.  

2) Not only will there be an increased potential to form social connections with the return of in-person classes, but there will also be a greater opportunity to establish relationships with professors. While students are more than capable of reaching out to their professors while online, it’s incredibly beneficial for both parties to be able to interact in person in order to establish a rapport. These interactions might range from class discussions to candid conversations, but whatever the case, they tend to make communication more familiar and accessible. This allows professors to better understand their students as well as for the student to better understand the class. Furthermore, developing friendly relationships with professors allows students to feel more comfortable asking questions. 

3) Another important aspect to consider is the heightened focus that in-person classes will require from students. It’s incredibly easy to get away with multitasking while taking online classes, and many students might indulge in distracting activities such as eating, texting or daydreaming while in class. This is more difficult to achieve in the physical environment of the classroom. While in-person classes may call for increased attentiveness, this should be considered beneficial to the learning experience. Being required to grant professors your full and undivided attention will allow for a deeper understanding of class material and, in turn, will increase your potential for success in the course.  

4) Lastly, attending classes completely in-person will signify that personal daily schedules will need some extra attention and organization. As mentioned previously, it can be easy to multitask while attending school online and because there is little to no time needed to walk/drive to the classroom, there is often a significant time buffer between classes. With the return of the physical classroom, however, it will be especially important to allow appropriate time for transportation to classes, eating meals and any other important activities when creating a daily schedule.