Editor’s note: “The new normal” is a continuing series that looks into how members of the Los Medanos College community are coping with a shelter-in-place order amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

Adjusting to the transition of all student resources and courses online has been challenging this spring for many students and staff within the Contra Costa Community College District. 

Los Medanos College student Tabby Bahramand was enrolled in three face-to-face lecture courses, prior to the statewide shelter-in-place, and has found the switch online to be quite difficult.

“Since English is not my first language, the transition has been confusing and challenging. I’m constantly asking for help from my peers and my professors,” said Bahramand. “Farsi is my first language, and in general I speak three languages.”

Bahramand is currently enrolled in Political Science, Research Methods and Drama, none of which were online prior to the transition.

“I usually avoid taking online classes because I’m the type of person who loves asking questions. I love the one-on-one interaction and I look forward to going to class,” said Bahramand.

While Zoom meetings and YouTube videos offer some sort of verbal communication for students and teachers who learn through physical interaction, this method has not been adopted by all LMC professors during the switch to online teaching. 

The lack of verbal communication in some online classes has hindered students’ learning capabilities during these uncertain times.

“My classes have been mainly focused on Canvas discussion posts,” said Bahramand.

Regardless of the challenges that come with online learning, she has found some comfort in the statewide shelter-in-place order.

“I have always worked full time and went to school full time, therefore I never had time to myself. Since I’m at home I have been trying new recipes and deep cleaning,” said Bahramanad. “I used to cook all the time, so it’s nice to go back to something I love to do. There’s places in my house that I have been meaning to clean forever, and now I finally got a chance to do so.”

Taking time to focus on herself has given Bahramand something positive to look forward to on a daily basis, and she suggests others do the same.

“My suggestion for others is to make a list of all the things you have been wanting to do. One by one check off and complete that big list you have been waiting to do.”