The School Year Struggles By: Bailey Chapman

                                                                                    

    Last year, receiving that first call that school would be canceled for two weeks was just the beginning. At that moment, Sparta students couldn't be happier, so excited for these days off. No one knew that this two-week break would turn into a seven-month break and still no sign of returning back to school. Virtual learning would now become a reality.  

    With online school comes stress and struggle. One big problem that many students are dealing with is technological issues. For some families, everyone is working from home. This means your computers slow down, freeze, and crash. When trying to learn, the last thing students want to have to deal with is these computer issues. On google meets, when the teacher asks the students to open up an assignment, the computer can take up to five minutes to show the document and by the time it does, the class is already on to the next step.  Also, at times you least expect it, you can get kicked out of the google meet, missing everything that was said until you get back. All of these problems cause students to miss important information, majorly affecting our learning. 

    Another challenge that goes along with online school is distractions. Now that teachers can't see your whole body, the temptation to use your phone during class is greater than ever before. Also, siblings and parents are constantly making noise or walking in the room when you are working. All of this can be overwhelming and disruptive. 

    

        

    Lastly, the high school experience is not the same. Students can't hang out with their friends during lunch. With online school, the break is boring and students instead just lay in bed. Sports are less fun because of the different circumstances. The sports seasons are shortened, students can't wear their uniforms to school on game days, and teams can't all go and celebrate after a win. Football games and other sports will have no student section, there will be no school dances, no plays, and much more. 

    Overall, I believe students all over the world are facing struggles with online learning. Almost everyone is hoping to go back to school soon with as much normality as possible. Never before would anyone have thought that high school students would be begging to go to school, yet, here we are.