Writer: Siena Iwasaki Milbauer, she/her, 22
It’s back to school season in Minnesota and across the United States. From preschoolers to college students, young people are beginning (another) school year like no other. Many are returning to in-person learning even as COVID-19 case numbers continue to rise. It’s a really exciting time, full of reunions and hope. But there are also a lot of questions and concerns facing students, educators, families, and communities.
I am one of those returning students this fall 2021. I’m re-starting my studies at a University, in-person, in New York City. Moving and getting used to a new school would be a big deal any time, but during a pandemic, it is a whole different can of worms!
As I start my semester, I feel so fortunate and excited to be able to learn in-person, to interact with and build bonds with my classmates and teachers. I feel especially lucky to be on a campus that chose to mandate vaccinations for students and staff, a precaution that to me, makes a lot of sense during a global pandemic.
But there are also many challenges. It is mentally and physically overwhelming to be around so many people after so long in isolation. There are many COVID-19 safety measures that, while necessary, can disturb daily rhythms. There are also unexpected, vaguely humorous challenges: turns out it is really hard to speak loudly enough to be heard in a lecture hall full of students with a mask on! And hovering above it all is the fear of getting sick, of getting others sick, and of having to return to some state of quarantine because of an outbreak.
This is how I’m feeling this fall and I wanted to reach out and see if other Asian youth were experiencing some of the same hopes and fears. I connected with several students who’ve been involved with AAOP in the past couple of years to ask about their back to school jitters. Here’s what they had to say:
Jacqueline, she/her, 21
Heading back into the school year, I’m looking forward to all of the little things that make the college experience special – walking over a mile to class everyday, getting free food at student group events, and finding cozy study spots that make the actual studying less painful.
However, I’m also feeling pressure to make the most out of this year. The last time I had a full year of in-person college was my freshman year. Now, I’m a senior, and I know that this year will fly by. For most people, you only get to be a college student once, so this year, I’m really hoping to take advantage of all the perks and resources that being a student has to offer.
Sylvia, she/her/they, 17
The few who I am on good terms with, bad, or none at all, I am ecstatic to see them again in the flesh. Although there is this bright side to being back to in-person learning, I am concerned about the lack of attention in how we are to stay safe.
A mask mandate is in order, but the classrooms are too small for the number of student bodies in one space, and who knows if people are trying to stay sanitary. I feel off-centered doing in-person learning again. I forget how much effort it takes to be in-school learning and I think the teachers [feel the same] too. Currently, I have been getting swamped with homework and many quizzes/tests already, and my stress for that has been both overwriting my worries for COVID-19 and adding onto it.
Cassus, any pronouns, 17
Life is a balance, so I have positive and negative feelings about going back to school. On one hand, I love being able to interact with people and have conversations. I’m also able to be much more engaged during class.
On the other hand, my little sibling isn’t vaccinated. I’m torn. Having in person learning is super important to the growth and character of my sister, plus she likes hanging out with her friends. But what can the consequences be? We can’t control other families and their values and decisions that they make.
Alysa, she/her, 17
Coming back to a full day of school has definitely been weird and will take some getting used to. However, I’m excited to see my classmates again and be able to connect with teachers. Though school isn’t the most amazing place to be, I do look forward to having school in-person! I still have to get used to having presentations too…
Browse all the installments of our “Pandemic Progress Update” series at http://aaopmn.org/tag/pandemic-progress-update/
& check out our special New Narratives podcast episode “COVID-19 Community Vaccination Stories, #WeCanDoThis” to hear from Minnesotan Asian youth on their vaccination experiences. Listen on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts!