By Ashley Voong | Staff Writer

No Homecoming Dance. No Senior Parade. No sports season. 

   Senior year has definitely been like no other. This first semester has been entirely transformed to virtual learning and who knows what will happen next semester. For now, the Virtual Academy is something I am adjusting to, as well as new school routines.

   Personally, this new school year has kept me quite busy. With many different activities and tasks to complete every day, a solid routine is much needed. 

   Being able to attend class from the comfort of my home means that I no longer have to drive to school.  I typically wake up around 8 a.m., skipping breakfast because I like to cherish those last few minutes of sleep that I can squeeze in before class starts.

   Once I gather the energy to get out of bed and get ready for class, I don’t get up from where I am until lunch begins.

   During the 20-minute break between my first and second class of the day, I spend my time either finishing up classwork, moving away from screens and closing my eyes, or scrolling through my phone.

   Regardless of the break, I usually find myself experiencing Zoom fatigue halfway through my second class of the day.

   Although I have to sit through three classes on Mondays and Thursdays, I get to enjoy having only two classes on Tuesday and Friday since I am not scheduled for sixth period. 

   After school, depending on how I’m feeling and what I have to do, I make the executive decision to start my homework early or put it off until later.

   I tend to decide on getting my easier homework done before I take a break from school and I leave more time-consuming work, such as writing newspaper articles, for later at night. If I decide to be productive and get all of my homework done after school, I will work on college application essays at night. Other times, I have work to do for the community college course I am taking or for my club duties.

   The benefit of having the Virtual Academy is that I’m able to plan ahead and maximize my time. I can work on homework throughout the week when I have time and I no longer need to rush an assignment that is due the next day.

   The schedule gives me a feel for what my college schedule might look like next year, when I don’t have to have a set 8a.m – 3p.m. schedule every day. I feel like virtual learning has allowed me to be more independent and has given me time to focus on activities other than school.

   Aside from missing out on a traditional senior year and having longer class periods, I have found that the Virtual Academy is not so bad after all.