First Day High in the New Normal: Student’s Ultimate Guide to Face-to-Face Classes

One of the biggest changes brought by COVID-19 pandemic was the need to shift to remote learning for the safety of students, teachers, and the school community. The good news is, as the number of cases in the country continue to decline, more and more schools, including STI College, are now reopening to conduct face-to-face classes.

For students, such a news can be exciting yet equally unnerving. Just like adjusting to the online learning setup, being back in a physical classroom and learning alongside your friends and classmates after two years of just modules and video calls can require some getting used to.

Despite this, face-to-face classes definitely make learning more fulfilling, engaging, and interactive, so make sure to enjoy the experience by following these useful tips!

Learn and follow protocols to heart

While Metro Manila and several other towns and provinces in the country remain under Alert Level 1, it’s important to remember that the pandemic and its dangers are still very much present. Observing social distancing and masking protocols when you’re going to and from school and on campus not only promote your own safety but your classmates, teachers, and family as well. It is also best to stay updated if there are changes in health mandates in your location.

Double check the essentials

It’s time to whip out your good ‘ol school bag again! Before your first day back, make sure you have all that you need for class to avoid any inconvenience. Two years of learning from home is definitely a long time so there can be things that you might overlook. This also applies to uniforms and dress codes in your school. Of course, don’t forget to have your vaccination card with you at all times as well as extra face masks and sanitizer.

Stay healthy

Now that you have to go out to attend your classes, make sure that your body is ready for the sudden changes in your daily routine. Since we’re still in the middle of a pandemic, it’s important to boost your immune system by staying hydrated, eating healthy, exercising regularly, and getting enough Zs at night.

Prepare your mind

With the implementation of face-to-face classes taking effect in more places in the country, coping with the changes in your surroundings, interactions, and routines can be pretty overwhelming. When you’re feeling anxious about the idea of coming back to campus, take time to recenter yourself and refocus on your goals.  Jotting down your thoughts and talking with your peers can also help. Remember, a healthy and happy mind is a key to effective learning and productivity.

Make the most of it

For most, nothing really beats the experience of face-to-face classes. When the shift to online learning began, students were quick to reminisce about their fun classroom memories on social media platforms like Tiktok and Twitter. Now that it’s back, it’s time to maximize the opportunity to learn alongside your friends and interact with your teachers in person. Be more active and participative in class, join activities in line with your interests, and enjoy the rest of your journey as a student!

STI College ensures a safe return for its students in all of its campuses nationwide by strictly abiding with the mandates of local health authorities, the Department of Education, the Commission on Higher Education, and the IATF.

All STI students and personnel are required to observe mandatory campus health and safety protocols such as body temperature monitoring, facemask wearing policy, and contact tracing. In addition, workspaces and common areas are regularly disinfected and various school laboratories have enhanced ventilation to mitigate the spread of the virus. All school teachers and staff have been completely vaccinated against COVID-19 as well.

“The importance of face-to-face classes when it comes to effective learning and student growth is incomparable, which is why we, at STI, are very happy to welcome our new and ongoing students back to our campuses for the School Year 2022-2023,” said Aisa Q. Hipolito, STI VP for Academics. 

To provide a more holistic learning experience for its students and mold future-ready graduates, STI College continues to utilize the ONE STI Learning Model, an education framework that combines online tools and technology with onsite or on-campus hands-on training to fulfill the various learning needs of students across the country.

“While we are confident in our ability to deliver our courses online, we firmly believe that students will greatly benefit from the implementation of face-to-face classes and an online hybrid learning setup, especially for those in senior high school tracks and college programs that require hands-on training and practice in simulation laboratories. Nevertheless, the health and safety of our students and teachers will always remain our topmost priority as we take one step closer to normalcy,” Hipolito added.