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Though many Yalies hoped to have been long finished with online coursework, students and professors had to get accustomed to Zoom once again after the University instituted a two-week remote period for classes and a delayed start to the undergraduate spring semester.

Students have reported a variety of experiences, as professors have adapted in varying ways when translating their classes to an online format. Several professors have been running pre-recorded lectures for their classes, while others have opted to release readings and homework assignments for students to complete on their own time. In addition, many discussion sections and labs have been delayed until the return of in-person instruction on Feb. 7. 

“Interaction with classmates is what I miss the most about being in person,” Irene Colombo ’25 said. “It’s not as natural to strike up a conversation with someone on Zoom. It’s harder to get a feel for a class … so I’m hoping to get back in the seminar rooms and lecture halls as soon as possible.” 

Though students expressed frustrations about spending an increased amount of time in front of their computers, some have found the online format to be more conducive towards figuring out schedules during add/drop period than having to rush around campus.

Eleanor Schoenburn ’25 said she prioritizes time to spend with her friends and make memories as a first-year student. She misses “getting to be a college student on a college campus” rather than being in her dorm room, confined to her desk and computer.

“W​​e are in a different situation than we were in the spring of 2021,” Schoenburn said. “One thing that I have noticed is that…. events are not being canceled, they are just being either hybridized or they have been changing and evolving. Rather than just canceling an event we just have a backup plan now so that we aren’t losing any opportunities”

Schoenburn said that it was a struggle at times during the online instruction period to remember that her dorm is “a place of studying on top of living.” As most Yale students share their dorms with roommates, distractions are inevitable, yet the key is in setting boundaries and enforcing routines, including proper time management, keeping a planner and staying active, she said. 

Most Yalies, including sophomores and first years, will now have had both in-person and online classes at Yale. Colombo said she finds it easier to connect with professors in online classes, where she simply has to “hop onto their zoom office hours.”

By contrast, some professors said there were unique challenges to remote teaching.

“I have to admit, it’s a little weird lecturing to a completely empty huge classroom,” professor of psychology Laurie Santos said. 

Her class, “Psychology and the Good Life,” was the most popular class among undergraduates in the early days of add/drop on Jan 24. 

Santos told the News that she is currently filming and streaming lectures live from Marsh Lecture Hall in order to give her students the most similar feeling to what they will experience when classes resume live.

“Professors are still very engaging and they are taking the time to make sure that we are comfortable… they understand that adjustments will have to be made,” Schoenburn said.

Zoom classes will continue for this week, and in-person classes are set to begin on Feb 7.