Kristin Jesha Mari A. Sandig
4th year BS Mass Communications

We pray that there will soon be students who will be walking again on the campus of CPU.

This October 20th, CPU started the 2nd subterm of the 1st semester. This coincides with the start of limited face-to-face classes currently being tested in other areas of the country. This gives us hope that maybe we can soon go back to our classrooms.

For us students, here are reasons why face-to-face classes are important:

*There are some things that can’t be done virtually.

The school has adapted to the hindrances brought out by the pandemic but we can all agree that there are considerable downsides to virtual learning. There are things you will find difficult to learn via video chat. There are some things that have to be practiced in order to master, such as doing laboratory exercises. You can look at a photo of a slide culture in online classes but that doesn’t teach the student how to do it themselves. Nursing, engineering, and HRM students also need to practice their skills hands-on. For some things, nothing beats the hands-on approach.

*Physical classes help with social interactions.

In a class of 30 random people, it is common to meet and befriend someone; interact with them in order to share ideas. This opens an avenue for social interaction. With the current state of classes, there are times when students in the same class hardly interact at all. They would login to attend and never interact at all. Cooped up at home, our social interactions become limited.
Social interactions are important. The way we interact with people and build relationships impacts not only our social lives but also our physical, mental, and emotional health as well. With the toll of the pandemic, we need interaction in order to bounce back.

*In order to move forward we have to live our lives.

We have indeed endured so many hardships due to the pandemic but we have to get back on our feet. If we let this virus stop us, we will continue to be living in fear. We finally have the means to counter this and live our lives. We can be vaccinated and have a sense of normalcy in our lives. The children are the future. We need to cultivate our children to give them a brighter future. By getting vaccinated and following health protocols, we can help limit the spread of the virus. This will then allow us to have face-to-face classes. Our graduating students will soon enter the workforce. We need to ensure that each of them is equipped with the tools that they needed.

The virus is frightening. There are questions in regards to safety but life will always have uncertainties. All we can do is try. Find a way that works. It may not be today but as Centralians, we are hoping and praying that we can go back to the campus of CPU, have our classes in our classrooms, and interact with our classmates and friends.