For as tech-savvy as college students are in 2020, finishing a school year virtually wasn’t exactly a modern convenience most had in mind before this spring.

The COVID-19 global pandemic forced a change of plans on campuses nationwide in March, and most schools operated in an online capacity through finals week last month.

Working from home may have sounded like an attractive alternative at first, but many students — including Fort Dodge Senior High graduates Sam Cook, Lehr Thorson and Tyrnan Lara and St. Edmond grad Andrew Gibb — found themselves longing for the days of traditional classes when all was said and done.

“I believe physically being in a classroom is a better learning environment with easier, instant access to peers’ ideas and instructors for questions,” said Cook, a senior sport and recreation management major and wrestler at the University of Iowa. “I was comfortable working from home, but it was important to stay disciplined and consistent with the responsibilities of finishing the semester strong.

“The atmosphere in a classroom allows an individual to have less distraction and probably a better overall focus on studies. There is also the social part of life, which is imperative. Connecting and networking with people in a classroom allows one to become better at building relationships, interacting with diverse groups of scholars, and communicating with people who come to Iowa from all over the country and even the world.”

Like Cook, Thorson returned to Fort Dodge for the final month of the semester. She used online platforms like Zoom and Webex daily to stay in contact with both her teachers and Iowa State University swim coaches.

“I think I would be comfortable with an online-only schedule. Obviously it wouldn’t be my first choice, but everyone has to adapt,” said Thorson, a junior event management major. “The event management program at ISU is one of the best in the nation, so I would really miss out on a great final year in that program (if studying virtually stretched into 2020-21). Also, I decided to get a leadership certificate in my final year. That program specifically would be really challenging to do online.

“(Face-to-face) conversation is a major element to that course work.”

Lara, who was finishing up at Iowa Central Community College before heading to the University of Northern Iowa in the fall, found the comforts of home to be a poor substitute for the real thing.

“The drawbacks far outweighed the advantages,” said Lara, who will be studying construction management at UNI. “I couldn’t stay as engaged as I (normally do) on campus. I was less motivated to open the computer and sit through multiple hours staring at the screen.

“I just missed the human interaction. I found out very fast during online schooling I am the type of person who is motivated by seeing other people and communicating in real life.”

Gibb, who wrapped up his freshman year at Iowa Central a few weeks ago, also felt virtual classes paled in comparison to his normal routine. He eventually made it work though.

“I was definitely missing out on the ‘college experience,’ so to speak,” said Gibb, who will play basketball at Presentation College in Aberdeen, South Dakota, this fall. “Even if it’s small things like being face-to-face in class or having an actual paper test, it was just different from any schooling I’ve had before.

“It was weird at first, but I adjusted and was just happy that we got something. Obviously this has been a tough time, but the work of professors and administrators at Iowa Central definitely made the experience better.”

Cook found a rhythm and balance with his schedule, and he continued to work whenever possible as well because “the rent (in Iowa City) was still due.”

2018-19 Swimming and Diving, SD, 18-19, Mug, Mug Shot, Head Shots, Lehr Thorson

“Everything was a little more open when it came to completing assignments and projects,” said Cook, who is also obtaining an athletic administration certificate. “I was able to hone certain skills like responsibility and discipline. But field experience and internships were shut down, and we weren’t really able to connect or collaborate with other people.

“I did have more time outside of academics to catch up with all of the amazing people back home, while playing my part in social distancing.”

Thorson enjoyed being around her mother, Julie, who was also working from home at the time. She eventually had to focus on the task at hand, though.

“Adjusting was hard at first, having to adapt to a new routine,” Thorson said. “It was challenging to know where the best places (in the house) would be for me to focus. By the end of the semester, I had figured out a good location to study and take my finals, the best time frame to get work done, and how to communicate with family the space that I needed.”

Lara admitted he struggled to “flip the switch” at home and concentrate solely on his studies.

“Having three younger siblings at home, renovating our living room, basement and bedrooms, and the outside distractions like wanting to listen to music or play Xbox … it was very hard to establish that mindset I needed to get dialed in and learn about certain things,” said Lara, who was also on the Triton baseball roster this spring before COVID-19 wiped out the season. “If this was a required method of schooling going forward, I would be a little nervous about trying to stay engaged and setting aside times to really apply myself. I know I can do it and obtain the grades I want, but it would take a little extra willpower.

“For me personally, professors at Iowa Central like David Barwin, Josh Phillips, Niki Johnson and a few more really made an impact because I felt like I could talk to them and be myself. You just don’t get that through a computer screen.”

Gibb is holding out hope that there is some semblance of normalcy this fall.

“As a student-athlete (transferring from Iowa Central to Presentation), I hope that colleges everywhere are back and ready to go,” Gibb said. “I like being with my teammates and coaches, especially at a new school.

“With that being said, I am prepared to do whatever the experts suggest.”