By The Equinox Staff
The first day of classes is always a stressful time. The Equinox staff members reflect on their first completely virtual first day of school in a “year like no other.” For most of the courses offered, Zoom classes are the new normal, and we must learn to adjust.
Nancy Sanchez-Diaz
Even though my first “official” class started at 5:30 p.m., I was on the computer by 11 a.m. checking out my online classes. I did an hour’s worth of work, logged off and went on a walk to go grab my favorite at Dunkin’: iced coffee with almond milk and caramel.
After I came back, I settled into our first Equinox meeting of the fall semester. I came out of the meeting with two stories to complete for the week.
My evening class Broadcast News was also a delight; I loved seeing familiar faces and it was easy to tell it’s going to be a fun class. I’d say my first day of classes dragged on a bit in the beginning, but that might be for the best because this semester I will have no morning classes. Here’s to a productive semester.
Kenny Lo
My first day of class was a bit of a roller coaster. It started with a hiccup when my first class of the day, Media Ethics, was in limbo. There was already a bit of anxiety building up to it since we haven’t really heard anything from this class at all.
We were in the dark, and when the 11:30 a.m. mark struck, there was still no word nor Zoom link available on Webcampus. After 15 minutes, we received an email from Dr. Gary Radford telling us to hold tight and that Prof. Frank Bridges would be taking over the class. Basically, there was no class.
Then, I had no lab for my Forensic Science class, so I had a nice little break for most of the day. I then finished off the day with a wonderful Forensics lecture with Prof. Mary Eustace after our also-just-as-wonderful Equinox meeting. Overall, it was quite an interesting first day.
Amaya Morales
My first day of classes was particularly rough. After finding out that one of my favorite professors will no longer be teaching at FDU, I was shocked that the communication department has not reached out to our class about the change.
It took some digging around until we were told by department Chairman Dr. Gary Radford that everything is fine, but they’re a little behind schedule on quickly transporting a replacement professor.
Mondays are also my longest day. After classes, I worked on The Equinox up until almost 9 p.m. I so love what I do and enjoy being the managing editor.
Anthony Covino
The first day of classes was extremely different compared to my past three years at FDU. My first class at 10 a.m. didn’t happen, and my classmates and I learned that the professor would no longer teach at FDU. A replacement is on the way, we were told. This was a huge shock to me as this professor was always a favorite of mine.
My other two classes were Jazz Dance and Research Methods. Getting to dance on camera is going to be interesting, but it will have to do for now. Otherwise, it was a very fun first day, just not what I was used to.
Nadia Tejeda
My day began at 7 a.m. getting ready for work from 8 a.m. until 2 p.m. At work, I was preparing mentally for my first and only class for the day at 2:30 p.m., which was my Global Scholars Seminar.
I had been running late getting home, so I pulled up the Zoom app on my phone and connected as quickly as possible to my class’s Zoom meeting link. I was about 3 minutes from home, technically 10 minutes late to class, as my professor called my name, and I had to unmute myself and make it known that I was present with one hand on the wheel … I know! It won’t happen again, I promise I’m a responsible driver!
Finally, I parked my car, got home and sprinted to my room to follow the syllabus and had a very interesting discussion with my class — which I enjoyed!
Once class finished, I joined my EOF counselor’s Zoom meeting to set up a day and time for our biweekly intervention and got that situated in less than five minutes after reviewing my class schedule.
Lastly, I joined The Equinox’s first Zoom call and met the lovely Equinox team and talk about our future ventures and ideas for this unforeseeable semester. It was a busy first day of classes, and I’m excited for what is to come in the future!
Chloe Colemenares
My first day back at FDU for the Fall 2020 semester was … tumultuous, to say the least. To start it off, my Media Ethics professor left without notice, and the university had to scramble to find a new professor. One was found, but not in time for the first class.
My second class went by without a hitch, thank goodness, but that would be my only saving grace of the day. My math class I begrudgingly signed up for at 5:30 p.m. started with the professor not being able to hear us or read the chat messages. It wasn’t until the final 10 minutes of class that he was able to work it out. Hopefully the semester improves, but it definitely had a bumpy start.
Sonal Tulysani
My first day of class didn’t involve any required Zoom sessions. Only one of my classes had Zoom, and that is once a week.
I went on campus, read through my syllabi, and organized my assignments and readings on Trello. I put due dates on my assignments and tests, and I started on whatever assignments I could get done in the order they are due.
All of my assignments for school and for work are on my schedule. I don’t have to go to FDU, I can do work for school at home, work for my job at home and work for home at home.
Camille Herbert
My first week has barely started, but so far everything is going fine. As I hope the rest of you are doing, I’m taking my classes at home. My first and only class was Spanish, and it was on Zoom. My teacher was friendly but a little too close to the camera during the class.
My second class, Nursing, will also be on Zoom later today, but I still haven’t heard anything about my biology classes. Once my first days of classes are over, I will schedule my tutoring and support appointments.
Miranda Gullon
My first day of classes was filled with uncertainty. I do not enjoy online classes. I feel like there’s a lack of resources for students.
It was really stressful as the expectations from teachers seem to be almost the same as on campus. I found myself struggling to have any motivation for the new semester. However, I am looking forward to trying my best.
Naniyah McClain
My first day of classes went well. It was a bit strange because this is my first year of meeting new students and professors online instead of meeting them in person. My first class was cancelled because the original professor is being replaced.
I had a few technical difficulties during my second class, but I was able to reconnect with my Wi-Fi network toward the middle of class, right before the professor went over the syllabus. My third class went very well. The professor had a few technical difficulties, but I was able to understand the information that was given.
Jennifer Malti
My first day was quite interesting. I woke up thinking I had a class at 10 a.m., only to see that I had no professor for the class. I got stressed out because it was already past 10 a.m. and still nothing had happened.
I finally got a hold of one of my classmates and found my professor — who also happens to be my advisor — had left for a new job offer and would not be returning for the fall semester.
I later received an email asking for patience and that we would receive a new professor very soon.
While this was all happening, I went to The Equinox meeting at 4 p.m. to rejoin the paper. I also waited to hear from my last class of the day, which was at 5:30 p.m.
That class is fun. We are studying American Popular Music. Overall, the day had some mixed emotions but still leaves me excited for the rest of the semester.
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