During the 2019-2020 school year, Saint Cloud High had to shut its doors after spring break due to the outbreak of COVID-19. Students were left confused, wondering when those doors would open to them again. Thankfully, when the following year came around, schools partially reopened.

Students were given the choice of digital education or going back to school in person with the requirement to wear a mask. While many students were comfortable with the latter, others stayed behind the screens. Throughout the year, digital students faced many complications, whether it was internet problems or even their own household as a whole.

This year, with everyone back on campus, digital learners have many reflections on their experience last year. Aaliyah P., junior, said, "I had some teachers that just were really bad at teaching online, which made my life harder because some of the classes were harder classes.” Digital students were overworked with a huge number of assignments because many teachers were uncertain as to how to digitally teach their classes. Whether it was an elective or even a core class, sometimes teachers were not aware of the amount of stress that was being thrown at students. The stress and pressure caused students to usually question if their decision was the right choice to make.

Even though there were many problems with digital learning, transitioning back has been challenging as well. From having to get back into the rhythm of going to classes to some teachers not understanding the plight of formerly digital students, it has not been the best welcome back. Andrea R., junior, said "I think some [teachers] are being very understanding of our concerns. Others are being indifferent. They kind of don’t care of our struggles and our feelings. It’s a ‘my way or the highway’ attitude in their classroom."

Some teachers, are not understanding that teaching digitally was way different than face-to-face. It was more stressful on the kids when their teachers were not working with them in order to understand the class itself. As time passed on, it hurt their mood and mental health. Hopefully, as we leave the COVID era in the mirror, students' learning can improve.