Students are missing the experience of being on campus after a year of online learning
March 12, 2020 marked the last time students were able to visit campus for classes. The following day was the start of a year-long switch to remote learning, keeping students away from campus indefinitely.
“Just being downtown and having everything around was really nice,” said Shoshana Mamann, a third-year professional communication student. “(It) definitely gave Ryerson its appeal.”
Mamann said that one of the places that she missed visiting the most on campus is Oakham Café.
Just down the street from the café is the Quad, where groups of students could often be found scattered on the grass, spread out to soak up the sun.
“I didn’t do this, but sitting in the grassy area in the centre of Kerr Hall, I always saw lots of people there. If I could be on campus this semester, I definitely would’ve had some picnics there,” said Victoria Valeriani, a fourth-year law and business co-op student.
As the winter semester comes to an end and the weather starts to get warmer, more people can be seen gathering outside, while socially distancing, with friends.
Since recent COVID-19 pandemic restrictions changed to allow patios to reopen in the city of Toronto, the Balzac’s patio on campus followed suit, much to the enjoyment of many students and regulars.
For Nicole Breadman, a fourth-year graphic communications management student, the campus spots she misses most are the Student Learning Centre (SLC) and Balzac’s patio.
“The Balzac’s patio reminds me of those nice warm days spent on campus when the weather started to get better, and everyone wanted to be outside between classes,” said Breadman.
Although the campus features many places to sit outdoors, numerous common indoor areas, like the SLC, allowed students to sit down and get work done.
Breadman enjoyed unwinding and chatting with friends at the learning centre in-between classes.
“The SLC is such a great place to collaborate with friends, and it reminds me of working on group projects which is something I miss doing in-person, especially with all of the group projects I have this year,” said Breadman.
Students also had the opportunity to study in student lounges that are located in specific buildings.
Patricia Koutrouliotis, a third-year social work student, misses the collaborative nature of faculty-specific buildings that often offered refuge from the hustle and bustle of the downtown campus.
“I miss the social work student lounge because it was quiet, and I could actually do my work without being interrupted,” she said.
It was beneficial, she said, because people from her program were there to help her if she needed it.
While remote learning continues, the campus experience is one that students continue to miss. Some corners of campus are used by others roaming downtown, but the majority of campus is desolate without students to fill it.
All photos taken by Madeline Fiore.
