College students have shown resilience throughout the pandemic as their courses shifted online. But Sara Brennan, student government president at the University of Texas at Dallas and Jasmine Khademakbari, president of the Student Government Association at the University of Houston, told Texas Tribune reporting fellow Sami Sparber that it’s difficult to ignore that they’re missing the in-person college experience they grew accustomed to as freshmen and sophomores. Both students say barriers to online classes continue to exist for low-income students or working students. They said many students might not have access to solid broadband and can’t always meet at the same time every week. The two student leaders lamented the loss of building connections with classmates and the struggle to connect with professors over virtual office hours.

Overall, both students said classmates are taking the pandemic seriously and cases have remained low on their respective campuses. Based on that, Khademakbari, a senior, advocated for in-person spring commencement next year. — Kate McGee

This session is supported by The University of Arizona.