With Northeast Community College opening completely since Covid in 2020, the school has been busy with having many students on campus compared to last school year. There was only 1/3rd of the school’s population on campus.

Last year, NECC had regulations throughout the campus to try and reduce the spread of Covid 19. This consisted of not having the campus filled to its full capacity, virtual and online classes, no visitors in the residence halls, sporting events with no audience and wearing masks in all buildings.

Although the campus was said to be opened to its full capacity in fall of 2021, some students were surprised when they moved in to see “mandated masks” signs on the doors to every building.

“It definitely caught me off guard,” sophomore Sam Beran said. “Since all the way back to the end of last school year they said we wouldn’t have to wear masks.”

Students were very limited to the things they could do on campus due to Covid 19, so when they were informed that campus would be opening back up to its full capacity, not only students, but teachers and staff were also looking forward to the new year.

“I get things happen, and I get that things change, but they waited until the first day to tell us about the mask mandate.” Beran said. “I’m lucky I packed a few masks with me.”

Some people find it extremely annoying to wear a mask, but others might encourage individuals to wear them

“I had no idea that masks were going to be mandated on campus until I got to school,” sophomore Dezirae Fox said. “I didn’t even think to bring a mask because I’m fully vaccinated. When I saw the sign about masks when I walked in it caught me off guard but didn’t phase me too much because wearing a mask honestly isn’t that bad in my opinion.”

Not only students, but teachers’ staff and visitors are all required to wear face masks on Northeast Community College’s campus.

“I think everybody has gotten pretty used to wearing masks and the social distance.” Media Arts Instructor Drew Dolezal said. “I see people walk in and it’s almost instinctual to put on a mask.”

Although there is a lot of controversy around wearing masks, not only on Northeast Community College’s campus, but everywhere, NECC still updated their rules that revolved around Covid 19.

“I liked being able to stay home and not have to physically drive to campus.” Sophomore Max Einfalt said. “I got a lot more comfortable with Zoom classes.”

Zoom took up a majority of students’ time at Northeast. Even students enrolled in in-person classes needed to stay home and zoom into class if they were feeling sick.

“Although I got comfortable with this lifestyle, I did not like zoom. I feel I do much better in classes that are face to face.” Einfalt said. “I like seeing my classmates and teacher, rather than talking with them over zoom.”

Since there weren’t as many people on campus in the 2020-21 school year, parking was a lot easier to come by.

“Parking is a lot different compared to last year. All the cars in Path Hall used to be able to fit in the first section of parking spots. This year is much different.” Beran said. “Cars are overflowing the parking lot. If you don’t get a parking spot where you ideally want to park, you have to park elsewhere and walk.”

Einfalt said “parking is much easier this year compared to last year and that’s the only thing I liked about the Covid 19 year.”

Freshman in the school year of 2020-2021 are getting a completely different experience than they did their freshman year. Sophomore Tessia Fox, Dezirae’s twin sister, was completely off campus her freshman year and is now living in the dorms with all in-person classes for Fall 2021.

“I feel like I missed out on one year of my college experience because I pretty much did,” Tessia said. “The only difference is that I was doing online classes. I still lived at home, had a job, and went about my normal life.”

“This year is much different for us,” Tessia Fox said, “our lifestyle is completely different now. We’ve made many new friends on campus, we get to participate in many activities, and the best part is having in person classes opposed to zoom/online classes.”

Business, Economics, and Computer instructor Angie Shaffer noticed quite a few differences from this year compared to last year. Covid didn’t only affect students, but teachers as well.

“There’s definitely a lot more students on campus this year and that’s the biggest difference I noticed. It is great to have in person classes back again.” Angie Shaffer said. “Although I did enjoy working from home, I missed seeing my students in class. I noticed students talking to each other a lot more this year and that’s something I love to see.”

“I missed physically getting to see my students excel with my own eyes. Although I did see progression through my zoom classes, and it worked for the time we needed it to.” Dolezal said. “It’s so nice to finally see my students’ faces and interact with them and watch them interact with each other. It’s such a rewarding site to see.”