Highline students say they are happy to be back on campus this fall. 

After more than a year of taking classes online or via Zoom, several students who took live classes this quarter say it’s good to be back. 

 “I miss the personal connection between students and teachers and it’s easier to get help if needed,” said student Danny Kim. 

 “The only thing I’m worried about is going back to Zoom classes,” said Natalie Wolf. “Zoom’s great but I prefer on-campus learning. I like face- to-face interactions.” 

Highline has been essentially closed since March 2020. The college set a goal of being 25 percent live for Fall Quarter, with more on-campus courses planned for Winter Quarter 2022. 

For now, the schedule is a mix of live, on-line and virtual (via Zoom) courses as the college attempts to reopen amid ongoing restrictions imposed by the county and the state.

Some students say they’re not worried about catching the virus. 

“I was vaccinated, the distance, and the mask,” said one student. “We’re at a good moment to safely return to campus.”

Another student agreed. “I don’t really have any concerns,” the student said. “I feel like I did my part. I got fully vaccinated.”

But another student said they are “still a little anxious about” COVID. 

People such as Kali Abdula are coming back to campus because they find it easier to learn in a live environment. 

“Personally for me I don’t like online college,” Abdula said. “I find it easier here, face-to-face.”

While many people are happy to be back on campus, others preferred things on zoom. 

Asma Anwar, another student at Highline, gave two reasons why she preferred classes on zoom. 

Anwar said she found it hard to breathe when wearing masks for a prolonged period of time. Saying that she’s “not as used to wearing them that long.”

The second reason was the convenience factor. “ It was very convenient, I wouldn’t have to wake up early, I could go at my own pace, take it easy,” Anwar said.

Joemir Nocom, another student, explained that zoom classes simply worked better with his schedule because he has a job.

Other students said they prefer taking classes in person. 

Nahoko Maejima, an international student from Japan, said “I had no concerns about coming to campus. When classes are in-person, I can see the teacher’s emotions and it is easy to ask teachers questions more than on Zoom, especially for me as an international student.”

Elquares Ayer, who came from Indonesia, said he didn’t like classes on Zoom because he couldn’t express himself and communicate with classmates. 

“Since my major is hospitality, I have to train my communication skills in person. In Zoom class, I cannot do that,” he said.

For students who major in scientific fields, Zoom classes can be more difficult. For now, their classes in the lab are held in person and lectures are held on Zoom, or hybrid.

Klotilda Ndiken, majoring in oceanography, said that it was difficult to understand math class and chemistry class on Zoom last year because she had to understand the contents by only watching videos.

Sukritta Onjangreed, a biology major, is concerned about studying in the lab.

“It’s my second year here and the study in the lab is going to be high-level, but I’ve never been in the lab. I’m not used to the lab and know nothing about the lab,” they said.

Some students had to come to campus because of the terms of their scholarships. 

Ndiken and Ayer both earned scholarships that are only for students who are studying abroad. They had no choice to but to physically come to Highline, they said. 

Students say they are grateful for the precautions being taken by the college, such as mask mandates and social distancing. 

“I’m not worried at all because, you know we all have masks and we all are doing are parts to keep people safe,” said Danny Kim. “I just wish I could get some food on campus, man.” 

Editor’s note: The Bistro in the Student Union is open daily for food and coffee.