A semester of online schooling is coming to an end for many students at George Brown College (GBC), and with it a need for students to navigate an online finals season.

“I’m a mature student. This is not my first time at college, and I’ve had very different experiences every other year. This year has been particularly hard,” says Mary Smythe, a second-year student in the Community Work program.

Overall, students have had mixed feelings about the Fall 2020 online semester. While some have stayed positive and seen its benefits, others have been feeling overwhelmed and stressed.

Arsheen Chopra, from the Strategic Relationship Marketing program, is one of the students looking on the bright side.

“Getting a better hang of Microsoft Teams and like Zoom, I think it’s getting better now, so I don’t think I should complain actually,” she said. “I’m happy about it for some reason.”

Smythe, on the other hand, says she was struggling long before finals season had even approached.

“This has been the most challenging year of college I’ve had. Without the social interaction and being able to discuss with classmates, assignments, and especially group projects, it’s been a real struggle.”

This finals season, Chopra had three exams and multiple assignments that determine a significant portion of her grade.

“It’s been good. I’ve been able to keep up with whatever is going on. Even if something new adds up, I know I can manage it, so I’m feeling very positive actually,” says Chopra.

This is different from how she typically feels during exams, as she remembers studying in a different program at GBC in 2015.

“I remember having to waste a lot of time in the TTC for example. Now I know that I do not have to worry about travelling. I can sit at home. I can study at my convenience because most of the lectures are recorded as well.”

Smthye had one exam this season and five final assignments. She thinks this exam season has been more difficult than usual, due to the lack of peer support that is typically available.

“I think in a typical finals season, we spend more time in group study sessions. Talking, cramming together, sharing notes, and we haven’t had that experience this semester with everything being online and requiring Zoom meetings, so nothing spontaneously happens after class anymore,” says Smythe.

“I really feel people are doing the best they can in the middle of a pandemic, says Chopra.

“You just take it day by day,” says Smythe.