For some Fanshawe College students, staying focused and managing busy schedules can make in-person learning difficult.
A parent from the Fanshawe College Parents Group made a post that her child is having a difficult time with in-person learning. “Is anyone else’s child having a hard time in person? My daughter is looking into going fully online next year,” said the anonymous parent.
Photo: (Torey Joseph Legarrie)
Pre-health student Neciy Burgess said that her early morning classes make it difficult to stay alert.
“I have a lot of 8 a.m. classes, so that would be my hardest part.”
Burgess said distractions in the classroom can make it harder to concentrate.
“When there’s other people around who are doing other things that are distracting to me, it’s pretty hard to stay focused,” she said.
Neciy Burgess, pre-health, year 1, photo: (Torey Joseph Legarrie)
She said upcoming tests and quizzes have also been causing stress.
“I have a lot of tests and quizzes coming up next week actually, so that’s been stressing me out a lot,” she said.
She has considered online schooling and said the flexibility would make it easier for her.
“I guess it would be on my own time, so it would be easier for me,” she said.
The most popular online learning courses taken by 2024 – 2025, for high school students was civics and citizenship, which is a mandatory course with nearly 23,000 students enrolling.
Jennifer Meksula, a Fanshawe master of social work, (MSW), and registered social worker, (RSW), said students come to counselling with a range of challenges that can affect their education.
“The student experience is complex,” she said.
She said some students have mentioned considering online schooling.
“I have. Some students have mentioned it,” she said.
Jennifer Meksula, MSW and RSW counsellor, photo: (Torey Joseph Legarrie)
She said while some students like the immediate availability of online learning, others feel they lose some of the connection that comes with being in person.
“Some have commented that they feel that there’s a lack of connection with online, that it feels void of interpersonal connection,” she said.
Students with a documented or suspected disability can also access individualized accommodations through Fanshawes’ accessibility services.
She said accommodations can include additional time for tests and exams, a distraction-reduced testing location and in-class note taking support.
“With accommodations, it provides students with flexibility, but it still allows them to meet the essential learning outcomes of a course,” she said.
Ana Duque, a graphic design student, and a student services staff support worker, said students have several academic supports available through the learning commons where students can get help with subjects such as math and science, as well as writing and citations.
Ana Duque, graphic design and student services support staff, year 1, photo: (Torey Joseph Legarrie)
She said students should reach out as soon as they begin struggling.
“Honestly, I think as soon as they start seeing the struggle, when they feel a little overwhelmed, talk to the professors, come and look for a counsellor and see what we can do,” she said.
She said instructors also try to make course information accessible by posting materials online, while students can seek additional help through the accessibility services office located in room F2010.
If you go onto Fanshawe Online, (FOL) and click on campus services, you will find the option accessibility online services. There, students can complete a registration form, speak with an advisor and find out what’s available.
