Transitioning Back to In-person Learning at the University of Washington

After having to take classes remotely, students at the University of Washington learned that classes would be returning to their original, in-person format for the Autumn quarter of 2021.

A return to normalcy is something most people have been looking forward to in the wake of the pandemic, and the announcement that campus would be reopening to the public served as a sign of hope for students. The pandemic had a major impact on mental health in general, with a lack of social activities and presence on campus only worsening the depressive tendencies that many college students are prone to suffering.

However, the fact remains that returning to in-person learning has come with its own set of challenges as students are learning to re-adapt to the original format of college education. The UW requiring students to wear masks and to submit proof of vaccination provided reassurance for students who were reluctant to return to school, since the pandemic is still looming in the background. Even with the vaccine being widely available, the threat of exposure to COVID-19 is very real, causing students to quarantine and miss class when feeling sick or and awaiting test results. Students are now required to work around specific lecture times and are no longer given the luxury of working at home at their convenience.

Graphic created by Michael Munoz using data from the US Census Bureau

An ongoing survey conducted by the US Census Bureau revealed that there has been a large increase in depression and anxiety among adults between the ages of 18 and 29. The survey sampled participants through an online questionnaire, which sought to investigate the impact of COVID-19 on Americans’ economic, educational, physical and mental wellness. Between April 23 and May 5 of 2020, 46.8% of adults reported symptoms of anxiety or depressive disorder. This percentage reached a high of 58.7% that autumn, and later stabilized at 47.7% in autumn of 2021. Though reports of anxiety and depression peaked at an increase of 11.9%, the data shows that this percentage has leveled off at 0.9% higher than the initial report, slightly above its original place at the beginning of the pandemic. That being said, students’ daily lives have been changed once again by the reintroduction of in-person classes, and some students may still be experiencing the stress induced by the pandemic.

When attempting to reach out to the UW Counseling Center to investigate the current state of mental health among the student body, the office stated that potential interviews and meetings “could not be guaranteed” and would require “at least 10 days” before a response could be given. As for the cause of such a delay, the receptionist said it was due to “severe understaffing” and an overwhelming amount of student meetings.

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Schmitz Hall, home to the University of Washington’s counseling center. .Students can learn coping skills for pandemic-induced stress and receive individual counseling. (photo by Michael Munoz)

Though a return to in-person classes has been beneficial for many at UW, students such as Andrew Olivero have noticed aspects of remote learning that yielded benefits, both mentally and academically. Andrew highlighted the “flexibility” of remote classes, which allowed him to work two jobs without having to worry about “travel time” between classes. He also appreciated the way exams were open-book during remote classes, since it “alleviated stress” and emulated “the real world” in the sense that information is always “readily available.” However, despite the benefits he named, Andrew was happy to return to campus in order to experience hands-on material instead of “viewing lab activities through a screen.” He also praised his professors for “accommodating exposures” and offering remote class as an option.

Andrew stated that his mental health had gotten “slightly worse” since returning to campus. “I did a lot of work to stabilize myself during the pandemic,” Andrew said, “and the in-person hybrid transition has caused me to have to re-stabilize myself for a second time.” While this transition has been challenging for him, he went on to cite the reopening of intramural sports as a perfect outlet for “recharging,” as well as a way to “engage with other students” for a sense of community.

Students are not the only ones who must adapt to in-person classes, as professors have the difficult task of accommodating students while adhering to the university’s requirements and CDC guidelines. Masks are required on campus, and according to UW Professor Andrew Nestingen, “it is hard to hear students through their masks… and [they] seem to make it harder to recognize students and remember their names.” Nestingen went on to clarify that this was a minor issue, and that being back in the classroom is “energizing” and essential for “keeping the discussion focused and students engaged.” In regards to safety, Nestingen also stated that “students have been leaders,” having “rarely seen a student without a mask on campus.”

Nestingen continued to praise the university’s handling of the transition, stating that he was “proud” to be a part of the UW community, and was “impressed by students’ embrace of masks.” For students struggling with the transition to in-person classes, he recommended that they reach out to their professors and advisors, since “everyone recognizes the importance of supporting each other during this time, and cooperation is the path forward out of this pandemic.”

While students and faculty are still overcoming various challenges caused by the transition back to in-person classes, the data suggests that the mental health of young adults across the country has finally begun to stabilize. With students and professors alike expressing the benefits and care provided by the University of Washington, a return to in-person education may be just what students needed to retain hope for a return to normalcy in the near future.