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First Generation CSUSB Students overcoming remote learning struggles


CSUSB students are working on a zoom class during the Spring 2022 semester. Zarine Rahime (left) and Anthony Teig (right). Photo taken by Mayibel Ruiz.


By: Mayibel Ruiz and Selena Roldan


CSUSB struggled to overcome remote learning hurdles while finishing their education.


Since 2020 CSUSB has utilized remote learning to bring college education to the homes of their college students during the Covid pandemic. While students and professors adjusted to remote learning, lectures and discussions over zoom became the norm. In addition, group projects and study groups met over zoom, and for the first time, final exams and presentations were done remotely.


For students who are the first in their families to go to college, how did they adjust? Were there hindrances to remote learning? As we know, the college experience shapes students just as much as education does.


“Remote learning has helped me during my college experience because it allowed me to work and go to school. The benefits I gained from online learning is that I was able to log in anywhere I was to work on assignments,” said CSUSB Business student Kayla Downs.


For students who work full-time and go to school, remote learning presents some flexibility to access courses and lectures remotely. Suddenly, commutes were no longer a hindrance, and time spent in traffic could be used more effectively and productively. However, what were the obstacles and social implications of remote learning?


“I learn better in class because I don’t look at my phone in class, but at home, there's a lot of background noise and distractions, and I don’t limit my phone use when I’m in zoom class.

I don’t like that it’s double the amount of reading for online learning, and I prefer physical books versus the ebooks provided online.” said CSUSB student Zuyva Ruiz.


With students struggling to connect with their classmates, COVID has managed to stop students from engaging in classes. What is school if we can’t have a bond with our classmates? Since students have been around a classroom setting, it’s a significant change when they wake up and manage to attend through a screen. We managed to ask students how they felt about this change of remote learning and how it has impacted their education.


I came across Breana Owens, who is a CSUSB student. Breana stated, “Remote learning has affected my experience because I feel like I have gotten a worse education. I have gotten a lot lazier”. The students are affected by the change of COVID- 19, which has strongly impacted their patience with their education.

Since remote learning has its disadvantages, there are also some incredible benefits for CSUSB students. I also got to ask Breana what are the benefits of Remote learning. “The benefit from remote learning is getting more sleep and saving gas!” This is a significant change since students struggle to pay for their expensive education. Most students live more than 20 miles from campus. With gas prices going up this year and only going to rise, maybe more students like Breana feel the same way. Plus, not buying a parking pass can also save them a chunk of change that would be more beneficial towards textbooks.


Since CSUSB has been giving rules to students on campus without their intel on how they feel about staying at home, the importance of providing this information is to gain our knowledge of the setbacks that COVID 19 has changed. I also asked a CSUSB student if they could change two things about remote learning. What would it be?

I sat down with Alyssa A. Trujillo, who was open about the changes she would make to help CSUSB students. “I would change zoom meetings to optional. Some students cannot always meet, but if the ​​teachers could record the zoom meeting, that would be helpful. Another change would be if we do or want our cameras on the whole zoom meeting, we do not have to”. This can be beneficial for students who want to learn at their own pace. The obstacles that the students are going through can be affected by how they want to attend school.

Not only do school events are affected, but it's changing the positive thrill of attending CSUSB. So the question is, are specific guidelines going to change in the future? I think that was their main focus when talking to these students. It’s important to consider that different approaches are always the main focus on providing future CSUSB students a better welcoming to their future.

The question is, are specific guidelines going to change in the future? I think that was their main focus when talking to these students. Different approaches are always the main focus on providing future CSUSB students a better welcoming to their future.


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