By Nadia Garabedian

As a result of the recent wildfires erupting in Los Angeles, the University of California, Los Angeles has transferred undergraduate and graduate courses online for Week 2. Although UCLA is not under current evacuation orders, the university has made this decision for current student learning based on various factors, including air quality, possible evacuation for students’ family homes, as well as other factors. In light of this recent decision, many students are facing uncertainty as they navigate school online. 

The university started Winter Quarter 2025 on Monday, January 6th. However, starting off Winter Quarter with school online, whether meeting on Zoom or finishing assignments online that would ordinarily be completed in person, has left students feeling disoriented about the classes they are taking. Unfortunately, students only visited each of their classes, in person, either once or twice, leaving them in limbo about how to navigate their academic schedule. 

In addition to the unfortunate timing of remote learning, students express that they are having “flashbacks” to learning in 2020, due to COVID-19. Students tend to not be distracted in in-person classes, as opposed to remote learning, due to factors such as noise level, extraneous household distractions, or the mere fact that one’s internet may be faulty. 

Alina Bishay, senior UCLA student, states, “In person classes, particularly seminars, are much better than remote because students' internet connection tends to vary, leading to not being able to understand their full comments.” Insight from students exhibits an overall unfavorable view regarding the effectiveness of online school, and although remote learning is a result of circumstances out of one’s control, this opinion makes students feel uncertain about the future. 

UCLA administration has made sure to monitor the wildfire status accordingly, making online learning the best and safest current option, however, many students look forward to being in-person again. UCLA junior, Harper Tzou, states, “I appreciate that the school considered the effects of the fires on their students and made teaching flexible, but I look forward to being back on campus and learning in-person again too!” 

Not only has remote learning taken a toll on student success, but sporadic dispersion of many has affected learning, as well. As a result of the fires, many students either went home or found another place to stay, whether it was with family or friends. Some other students were evacuated from their homes with their families, unable to find a quiet place to conduct Zoom class. The inability to know if one has internet access for class has become stressful for many students, leading to more distractions and the uncontrollable possibility of not being able to attend Zoom classes. 

Fortunately, the UCLA administration updated the students as of Thursday, January 16th that learning will resume in person for Week 3. With the lifting of the red flag warning, Chancellor Julio Frenk announced that learning will shift from remote to in-person. In light of this recent news, UCLA students, faculty, and administration are hopeful for the future - both in terms of academic success and the containment of the Los Angeles wildfires.