In the 2020 school year, most of the classes and various events were held in a non-face-to-face manner. Events and activities that were held face-to-face have been canceled, and there are many cases where classmates and seniors in the same department do not know each other. As a result, psychological and social distance has made us disconnected. It’s hard because it’s different from the university life you thought, but what would many students look forward to the most on the day we meet again at school? Pharos is trying to find out what the students think about it, so we conducted the following interviews with freshmen (20th grade), students (19th grade), and returning students (16th grade)

What was good about last year's non-face-to-face situation?

 Freshman 20th grade - Basically, everything was conducted by taking classes without going to school directly, so it offered the advantage of being able to take classes at the normal class time or when I want to take them. Besides, there was no problem in communication between the professor and students even if we did not go to school directly through real-time lectures.

 Student 19th grade - It was convenient not to have to commute in the morning because my house is far from school. I liked the fact that there was no restriction on the location when it comes to taking classes.

 Student 16th grade - We had the advantage of being able to listen again to parts that were missed or not understood.

What were you disappointed by when classes were conducted in a non-face-to-face manner last year?

 Freshman 20th grade - The professors communicated directly through real-time lectures, but there were more problems than classes conducted through face-to-face lectures. In some cases, professors were not in control to some extent and students were unable to check the notices. Besides it was regrettable that it was impossible to interact with other students in the same class.

 Student 19th grade - Each class had a different way of teaching, so I was very confused in the beginning. It was a little burdensome to have a class where you turn on the camera at home, which is your own space.

 Student 16th grade - If the Internet connection was poor, real-time classes often led to errors in attendance and missed classes. Besides, it was regrettable that I could not attend the class due to server lock when there was a lot of strain put on the LMS server.

When the face-to-face lectures begin, what campus activities are you looking forward to?

 Freshman 20th grade - First of all, I look forward to activities that I could not do while conducting non-face-to-face lectures. Communication with colleagues and seniors will increase much more than now. In addition, I think college life will be more fun as I can do various club activities.

 Student 19th grade - I’m looking forward to the festival the most among the school events. I was sorry that it couldn't take place due to COVID-19 last year. I feel good when I see a crowded school.

 Student 16th grade - As the chairman of the department’s student council, department events and club activities are most anticipated.

Why are you looking forward to these face-to-face activities?

 Freshman 20th grade - Personally, I’m looking forward to club activities the most. I think I can meet people who like my favorite activities and have a good time with people. In addition, even if you are not good at it, you can get a chance to learn from people who know the activities you wanted to do or learn about them in detail.

 Student 19th grade - Personally, I’m looking forward to the student council’s activities the most. I want to prepare well for the events that I couldn’t host last year and have a satisfying 2021 with good results.

 Student 16th grade - Personally, as the chairman of the department, I want to meet the other students in the department. Due to COVID-19, the student council communicated mainly on Kakao Talk and SNS, so we often don’t even know each other’s faces. I want to meet in person, work together, and adapt to school as a chairman.

What do you want to say to your seniors, juniors, and colleagues?

 Freshman 20th grade - I’m sorry that we couldn’t meet in person and get close in 2020. In 2021, I want to spend my college life with seniors, juniors, and colleagues instead of communicating non-face-to-face.

 Student 19th grade - As it was very disappointing last year, I hope that there will be only good things in 2021 and that we can meet at school.

 Student 16th grade - I hope my colleagues and juniors who are about to graduate will achieve their goals in difficult situations with COVID-19. Besides, I hope all of you get a job successfully.

 Things that were taken for granted in everyday life are not easily done in reality due to COVID-19. Freshmen, students, and returning students are sad because they cannot experience the university life they wanted. Pharos hope that student’s opinions will become a reality with the end of COVID-19 as soon as possible and that students will be able to enjoy the campus life they wanted.

75th Cub Reporter KIM YUN JUNG – dbswnd7676@naver.com

75th Cub Reporter KIM DA HUN – ekq8458@kyonggi.ac.kr