Commack students are beginning to experience the differences between the hybrid schedule last year, where they came to school one day and ‘zoomed’ the other day, and the traditional schedule of a typical school year.

With the new and old experiences that students have encountered, many have new feelings about how school is operated and how they like to learn.

“Being in school everyday really makes me feel aware, in the present, and more motivated,” said senior Sarah L.

For some students, being in school everyday is beneficial. Feelings of being connected and motivated are being built up once again, which helps students when they are doing school work and assignments.

“[I] definitely feel more [stressed] than I did when we had the hybrid days, and also overwhelmed with the amount of school work that I’ve gotten,” said senior Jamie R.

On the contrary, there are students who feel that having school daily is a challenge. With the experience of having another day to complete work from the hybrid schedule, and coming back to everyday instruction, students are experiencing pressure and stress. Students are less accustomed to the amount of work they’ve received this year, opposed to last year.

“We are definitely not going to be given as much time as we were last year, but I do think the daily instruction gives a lot more opportunity for students to ask questions,” said Sarah L.

Even though pacing will be quicker, many students are optimistic that it will benefit them in the long run, since they are given all the material that is needed and are taught better in person rather than virtually. With daily instruction, it can be easier to understand and ask questions when needed. Teachers are also able to interact with and aid their students better than they have virtually.

Others see last year’s classrooms as better than this year’s, since they feel it was better for their education. Many Commack students found that teachers were able to focus better on them individually in a smaller classroom. In addition, these small classrooms helped students when  understanding and obtaining the information since the teacher would be able cater to each of their individual needs.

“Since there were less students in the classrooms last year, it was more of an engaged learning, more hands on, so if you [were] struggling, you [could] ask the teacher and they [would] help you,” said Alexa S.

Even though many believed that the hybrid schedule created a more engaging learning environment, teachers didn’t hammer much material on their students. With many end of the year assessments having been canceled, teachers weren’t going to give material that they wouldn’t be able to get in on time or they thought were unnecessary. Now, since exams are returning teachers are getting back to better preparing their students to excel in their studies. With more time for teachers to teach, they will be able to complete more material with their students.

“They didn’t prepare us last year [for Regents/AP/IB exams] because we didn’t have to do [them]…[now] since [we are] in full time, [we are] learning more of [what is] required [for the exams],” said Alexa S.

Students are on track to complete midterm exams as well as end of the year IB, AP, and Regents exams. 

“I’m happy that we are back in school […] hopefully we will be as successful as any other year,” said Sarah L.🔳