By: Carlo Ammatuna.
For those who don’t know me personally, please allow me to introduce myself. Hello! My name is Carlo Ammatuna and I am a freshman at Adelphi University currently majoring in Communication Sciences and Disorders. I’d like to thank Doctor Reem Khamis - Dakwar for allowing me to talk about, as well as reflect upon, my personal experiences in regards to the transition to the online learning domain.
About a week or two into the transition to the online learning domain I had developed symptoms of the novel coronavirus. It wasn’t until three (very long) days later in which I had found out that I had tested positive for contracting the virus. Following my diagnosis, my father, Carlo, developed symptoms of the coronavirus as well, and had tested positive for contracting the virus. Both my father and I were very sick and in the midst of attempting to keep up with my schoolwork, as well as give my mother, Cecelia, a hand around the house, my father was hospitalized. Following extensive testing, my father was diagnosed with pneumonia on top of the pre - existing virus. I’d be lying to each and every one of you if I went ahead and said that I wasn’t completely shaken to my core following my father’s admission to the hospital. Thankfully, both my father and I have made a full recovery despite how sick the two of us were, as well as how dire both of our situations were.
Following my diagnosis, I had reached out to my professors to let them know what was going on within my personal life and each and every one of them showered me with complete and utter guidance, support, and understanding. My professors, especially Doctor Dakwar, were extremely accommodating in regards to keeping up with schoolwork, and each and every one of them helped me navigate this very stressful and trying time within my personal life.
After speaking to a few of my peers throughout the transition to the online learning domain it had become evident that I was not the only one whose transition was a bit rocky. Both my peers and I were facing tremendous obstacles within our personal lives and it was quite difficult at times to keep up with schoolwork. Moving forward, especially in regards to the upcoming fall semester, it is imperative to place an emphasis upon the need for accommodations, patience, support, and understanding from the faculty’s end of the spectrum. I believe through this, students will not only smoothly transition to the online learning domain, but they will be as motivated as ever to learn and work with their professors.
Before I begin to wrap this blog post up, I’d like to take this opportunity to thank each and every one of my professors for being so very accommodating during this transition to the online learning domain. Although transitioning to the online learning domain was a bit rocky at first, I do not believe that my transition would have gone as smoothly as it did in time if it weren’t for their accommodating nature, guidance, support, and understanding. Each and every one of my professors worked with me individually to set a plan in place to allow me to excel within the online learning domain, and for that, I’m forever grateful for. Thank you.