It’s already been a couple of weeks since we began the fourth and final block of this academic year, which means that, by now, all of us have gotten a taste of what online classes are like. The comforting part is that we’re not alone, everyone else is taking online classes as well. You’ve probably already heard your friends’ stories or seen some memes online, but you’ll surely recognize these 10 things that have definitely happened since we switched to online classes.

1. You realized you didn’t actually have to turn on your camera

Some people were relieved, others were outright sad. On the one hand, it’s great that you don’t have to actually get ready for your 9 a.m. lectures… or for any lecture for that matter. On the other hand, you lowkey expected everyone to turn on their cameras and start putting on party hats like you’d seen in the memes. Gone are the days of putting a minimum effort into dressing up for uni. Say hello to the future: going to every single class in your PJs.

2. Someone forgot to mute their mic

It can happen to anyone, but the truth is that it happens far too often. Most times, you’ll just end up hearing some loud and annoying typing (or someone snacking), but for other people it has gotten weird. I’ve heard stories of people talking to their moms, professors talking to their pets, and yes, people snoring.

3. Your professor brought in their pet/baby

If your professor has a pet or a baby, and your entire class didn’t pester them until they showed them on camera, then you really have not made the most out of online classes. Going virtual has allowed us to see professors in their own environment, which has reminded us that they are, in fact, human. Seeing their backgrounds can tell you a lot about your professor, and it also makes for a very fun game of I Spy. 

4. Funky filters

PrOjeCt MeEtiNgS aRe SO fUn! Once people discovered that you could use filters on Zoom, that was it for everyone. Every single call I’ve had on Zoom includes someone putting a background. I’ve seen everything from the UB lobby, to backgrounds inspired by Netflix’s Tiger King.

5. Someone asked “can you hear me” and a sea of notifications ensued

This is by far the most regular event in my online classes. Something about online lectures has made students more vocal through the chat boxes, and sometimes too eager. Usually, somewhere around the beginning of the class, the professor always asks if the students can hear them alright. This is where everyone tries to get their participation points, apparently, because in 2.5 seconds you receive 87 messages saying “yes”. 

6. Technical difficulties

I always feel for professors who have evidently tried their hardest to adapt their classes online, but have a hard time dealing with the format. Just last week in one of my classes, our professor thought he was sharing his screen and playing us a video. We could only hear the audio and he couldn’t see our messages because he was in full-screen. We spent 10 entire minutes like that, at some point we just gave up and let him be happy.

7. Someone is always late

If you don’t see this person being late in every single one of your classes, it means it’s you. You’re the one who’s late. The great thing about Blackboard Collaborate Ultra is that you can always see who’s in and who’s leaving. Sadly, it also means that you’re not fully anonymous, and everyone will know if you’re trying to sneak out of the lecture. Hey, it’s a bit like real life!

8. Sleep schedule? Don’t know her.

This is mostly for the people who returned to their home countries and have to deal with time differences. Classes can end up being at really awkward times (such as 5 a.m., or even 3 a.m, for that matter). It gets to a point where you seriously consider napping mid-class.

9. You made jokes about graduating  

Everyone who’s graduating this semester has gone through the disappointment of realizing that the ceremonies have been suspended. It’s okay though, people have found creative ways of graduating. Japan has used robots while other students have even turned to Animal Crossing to receive their diplomas.

10. Snacking in lectures has reached a whole new level

Sure, everyone’s had their lil’ snacks in class. Dutch people have always had their bread and pindakaas, but now that classes are online (and for the most part don’t require video), everyone can eat (or even cook) entire meals without disturbing the others. We’ve reached the point in which making pancakes and bacon in the middle of a lecture is a regular rather than surprising thing. Eet smakelijk!


Do you have any other fun online class stories? Let me know in the comments below!