For the majority of students, early morning routines continue to look as they always have: waking up in the early morning to the sound of a beeping alarm, getting dressed with drowsy eyes and shoveling soggy cereal into their mouths before rushing out the door for the drive to 3000 Wylie East Drive on the first day of school Aug. 13. 

However, for some students, school is only a screen away. 

Across America, students are beginning their first school year amid a pandemic. With COVID-19 coronavirus cases on the rise, Wylie Independent School District is one of the first districts opting to provide both an on-campus and remote learning opportunity. 

Senior Jada Edmonds chose the remote-learning option this school year in an attempt to protect her and her family during the pandemic.

“I thought it was the safest option,” Edmonds said. “If there’s a remote option, that means it‘s clearly not safe to return. Plus, I get sick easily.”

Despite having to attend each of her classes through a Google Meet call, Edmonds believes that she is getting the same quality of education as a student who is sitting in the classroom.

“I don’t think it’s that different, because everything on-campus students are doing, we’re doing,” Edmonds said.

The remote learning experience, however, is certainly far from perfect and has presented many struggles and tribulations.

“It’s hard when the internet at school isn’t working, and the teachers keep cutting out,” Edmonds said. “My economics teacher left in the middle of a call and never came back.”

Self motivation and concentration is already a struggle for students in the classroom, but has proven to be much more difficult when at home.

“My phone is a distraction. It makes it hard for me to focus,”  Edmonds said. “My nephew is also always coming into my room, so then I have to watch him and make sure he doesn’t get into anything. So half the time, I’m not even paying attention to my classes.” 

Despite these challenges, Edmonds has enjoyed her experience with remote learning and the freedom she has.

“I like that I don’t have to get dressed for school. I just get to relax,” Edmonds said.

Although Edmonds chooses to err on the side of caution by learning at home, she believes that the school is doing everything they can to keep on-campus learners safe during this pandemic.

“I think there isn’t much more they can do,” Edmonds said. “How it turns out is really up to the students in whether or not they will follow the rules.”

Edmonds said she does not plan to return to school at the end of the nine week grading period if students have the option to switch their learning plans.