Noelle Vacca, Seton Hall University, shares how the role of technology on campus went from an afterthought to a college essential
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How Technology Shaped My College Experience
It's interesting to look back at my college experience and think about how little technology impacted where I went to school and then, in hindsight, just how large the role technology played in my college experience.
A Sudden Shift into an Online College Transition
I was a high school senior in 2019 and 2020, applying to all my potential schools before the start of the pandemic; I never considered that my college experience would be anything out of the ordinary. Between my school experiences up until that point, stories from older friends and family, and what I had seen in pop culture, I assumed I would have the typical move in and first year. I imagined myself moving in with all the other freshmen, keeping my dorm door open to make new friends, hanging out on my university's green, and going to class in person.
However, I quickly realized this would not be my first year. Making my college decision about a month into lockdown and only seeing part of the schools I was seriously considering, I chose the most comfortable option: one that I knew I would enjoy no matter what. Reminiscing on those first few moments after I committed to Seton Hall University, I can see how technology impacted my ability to connect with other students and the school long before my first day on campus.
My orientation, which was supposed to be a weekend of staying in the dorms and meeting other students in my specific college and major, turned out to be a half-day, all-online orientation. For part of the day, we broke into small groups to try to get to know other new students (which, truthfully, was painfully awkward because none of us wanted to speak on the call). Then, the rest of the orientation was large sessions with hundreds of us trying to register for our first-semester classes while spamming the chat about individual problems to the poor three session leaders.
Embracing Technology as a College Essential
This was still early into the headfirst dive we all needed to take into embracing all that technology offers. Now I can look back and appreciate how fast my school pivoted to make sure that students could have some semblance of normalcy in a situation that was anything but. This experience also set the stage for the rest of my time at Seton Hall because technology, in all of its facets, became one of the most prominent players in my life.
My first full year of college was filled with a lot of Teams and Zoom calls, and even saying "a lot" feels like an understatement. From my classes to extracurricular activities, and even just sitting on a call to hang out with my friends who lived two floors below me because all of the public spots on campus were closed down or filled with plastic barriers, technology allowed me to make the most of my start at Seton Hall.
Looking Back at Technology's Impact
Now, as I near the completion of my master's degree, I have a greater appreciation for attending a university that embraces technology. While there were learning curves, Seton Hall's willingness to integrate new tools made my academic and extracurricular life easier. Moments like registering for classes, checking to see which textbooks my professors assigned, and, as someone who was involved in extracurriculars, booking rooms or ordering food for events was easy because our technology was streamlined.
Key Questions for Future Students
My experience also made me more aware of how crucial a school’s technological infrastructure is to student success. If I were a high school senior today, I'd consider key questions:
- What platforms does the school use for learning and engagement?
- What software and tools are available to students at no cost?
- How did the university support students during online transitions?
These factors provide insight into how a college prioritizes student support and adaptability.
Final Thoughts
While I couldn't have predicted how much technology would shape my college years, I can't imagine my experience without it — even if there were times I wished we didn’t need it as much. It kept me connected, made processes more efficient, and prepared me for a world where digital proficiency is essential and ever-changing. For future students, evaluating a university’s technological resources isn’t just smart, it’s necessary.
