With universities all over the country getting into full swing, many students are having to adjust to online learning, and it is turning out to be a struggle for some.

Large universities in Michigan such as the University of Michigan and Michigan State University have transitioned to full-time online classes for undergraduate students. Whereas smaller schools, like Siena Heights University have developed plans to give their students both in person and online classes.

Siena Heights University, or more popularly known as SHU, has been in classes since Aug. 25, and yet the campus looks pretty empty throughout the day; why is this?

According to SHU junior biology major Genesis Peña, she is trying to accomplish online schooling because, “I can’t stay focused on my classes or my assignments. Then it stresses me out because I feel like I’m going to miss something in the lecture or fall behind in the class.”

Although Peña said she doesn’t enjoy sitting in on online lectures, three out of five of her classes take place virtually using Zoom, a website similar to Skype. Many professors on campus are using Zoom to allow students access to online classes.

The idea behind Zoom seems great, Peña said, but again, there are issues.

“When I first started using Zoom, I thought it would work well for classes, but as the semester has gone on, I have had issues with my bio classes because my professors have difficulty with projectors and using the online white boards,” she said.

These online white boards are an extension on Zoom that lets the professor write or draw to those viewing the class. This is essential to many students like Peña because they learn through examples, and struggle with only verbal instruction. As the fall 2020 semester progresses, students, including Peña, said that these issues can be worked through to create a better learning experience.