Tyler Tice is a junior in FSU PC's Commercial Entrepreneurship Program.
What made you choose FSU Panama City?
Several years ago, I met a representative at a school fair from FSU PC. When she talked about how I could receive the level of education from FSU while attending a campus with smaller class sizes, I became very intrigued. Later on, I visited the campus and could see that the professors were focused on student success down to a personal level. The students also seemed to know just about everyone in the hallways, showing how connected you can be to the college as a whole. I have always wanted a good college experience, but I did not realize that a place like FSU PC existed, where some of the most talented people in the community could connect in more personal environments. Of course, the library view certainly helped as well! I had several places in mind, but this campus was my first choice. In fact, when it came time to submit applications, FSU PC was the only institution to receive one from me because I knew this was where I belonged.
What are some of the challenges you are facing as an FTIC during the COVID-19 pandemic?
There is no doubt that we are all dealing with a lot right now. Being a student is challenging on its own, then throwing a pandemic into the mix makes it all the more interesting to say the least. Social distance restrictions such as study space limits, knowing which staircase to use and recognizing people with masks on are just a few hurdles to jump over as a FSU PC student during COVID-19. However, the biggest challenge for me has been the reduction in face-to-face connection.
FSU PC has done an outstanding job making events and interactions safe and secure, but there’s still nothing like hanging out with your friends while looking over the bay in those white Adirondack chairs.
What kind of challenges are you seeing students face regarding online learning?
Figuring out where to put your computer for optimal Zoom meetings, trying to form virtual study groups, and taking proctored exams online are few examples. Students have a hard time interacting with instructors and other faculty members virtually. Under normal circumstances, students ask questions during class, engage with the lecture, and a few might even stay behind afterward to talk with the instructor. FSU PC encourages everyone to attend office hours to help with this issue but it can be difficult for students to work this into an already busy schedule.
My generation is intuitive, so it is not uncommon for virtual study groups to form and online connections made in pursuit of academic success. I wish that more students were aware of FSU services like peer mentors. I would love to see the student body be more connected to the instructors. Zoom meetings to hold lectures and discussions have modeled the feel of a classroom lecture well, but there is still a void to be filled when it comes to the more ‘casual interactions’.
Essentially, I see that the ‘online culture’ cultivated amidst this pandemic has led to a secondary effect of students just wanting to figure everything out themselves or reach out to peers for the most part. As a member of the Student Government Council, I would like to explore why online classes lead to these drops in student-instructor connection and how we can make it a better experience for the student body as a whole.
What would you say to encourage other students like you during this difficult time?
Even though we are all struggling with countless difficulties coming into 2021, it’s important that we recognize how far we have come in such a short amount of time. Although the dreaded date is coming up, it has not even been a year since COVID-19 was classified as a pandemic by the WHO. In the past year FSU PC made wise decisions to keep its campus a safe place for everyone, ensured all classes offered were available for online access, shifted many faculty members between home and office locations, and morphed the entire campus into a socially distant version of itself.
FSU PC made it possible to teach and attend classes, read books in the library, purchase items at the bookstore, hold meetings, host visitors, start construction on Seminole Landing, and help the community during a pandemic! The fact that students and faculty alike have such a passion for this campus that we were willing to rise to the occasion that 2020 brought us is truly awe-inspiring. Now we wait to see what gets added to that list in 2021.
Shoutout to any FTIC students from Spring 2020 to now. We have gone through one of the hardest seasons our lives may ever see. Your determination to succeed and commitment to being here despite the uphill climb shows what you are truly capable of. Seminoles remain unconquered, and we intend to keep it that way!
[Posted 01/27/2021]