MY LAKER EXPERIENCE

Unique. That is how I would describe this Fall 2020 semester here at Lake Land. Online courses, Zoom and face masks are not what I had always dreamed college would be like, but that is OKAY! I, just like most students, have spent this fall trying to navigate taking almost all of my classes in some virtual format. Personally I never minded taking a course or two online each semester, it's a nice way to give yourself a more flexible schedule. However, suddenly all classes are online and each one is set up a little different. Suddenly, listening to lectures and keeping on track was so much harder. I will be honest, it was so hard at first. But then I got to thinking, "How can I use this unusual situation and use it to grow as a person?" It is times like these that there are a few options, slack off and use the situation as an excuse, or take full advantage of this time and accomplish something you have always wanted to. For me, deciding to take advantage of this time was step number one to finding success in my courses this fall.

Once I had decided I was going to make good use of this situation, the next step was to implement a plan. For me, I struggled the first two weeks to know what was due when, and how each professor expected the students to learn. For many teachers pre-recorded lectures are their primary source for learning the material. I have found that taking time to figure out a schedule to keep yourself on track for your courses is extremely important. The key is keeping up with each class daily.

Online courses and limited campus times is a challenge millions of students across the country are attempting to navigate. Making the choice to push yourself to grow, keeping a schedule and staying positive are going to set Lakers apart. The entire Lake Land community has been extremely supportive and understanding of the trying times and is working so hard to get things back to a “new” normal.

Makenna Green

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LAKE LAND COLLEGE BOARD OF TRUSTEES Doris Reynolds, Chair, Mattoon Mike Sullivan, Vice Chair, Mattoon Gary Cadwell, Secretary, Mode Kevin Curtis, Trustee, Mattoon Dave Storm, Trustee, Effingham Denise Walk, Trustee, Teutopolis Tom Wright, Trustee, Dieterich Lucas Duduit, Student Trustee, Pana LAKE LAND COLLEGE CABINET Josh Bullock, President Jon Althaus, Vice President for Academic Services Jean Anne Grunloh, Senior Executive to the President Valerie Lynch, Interim Vice President for Student Services Greg Nuxoll, Vice President for Business Services STAFF Editor: Kelly Allee Graphic Designer: Megan Nelson Writer: Mercury Bowen

ON THE COVER: Krista Taylor, Mattoon Laker Nation Class of 2019 Taylor will be graduating from the University of Illinois in May 2021 and then plans to immediately enroll in a master’s program.