Cochranites are heading back into classrooms this week, for the first time since March. 

Tanner Gerhardi says he's looking forward to getting back into a routine and to see his friends, but there are also a lot of unknowns.

"I'm feeling hopeful but still rather nervous. Things are really crazy right now and they could go back to the way they were when we had to do online classes, just as quick. But, I think we can manage to at least get something out of this before everything might fall apart."

The Grade 11 student says online learning this past spring wasn't the easiest.

"I need discipline. I'm still just a kid. I do tend to procrastinate quite a bit without someone telling me, hey, you need to focus. So the classroom does really helps me." 

All students in Grade 4-12 are required to wear a mask in schools and children under Grade 4 are being encouraged to wear them. 

Gerhardi says he isn't too concerned about that. 

"I'll do it. I mean, the masks are mostly just a minor inconvenience, but it's manageable."

The Bow Valley High School student says he has several friends who have chosen to not head back into the classroom. 

"I know a lot of people who are opting to continue with online schooling. It worked a lot better for them, so they're just skipping the process of re-entering entirely, which I totally get."

Gerhardi says he's involved in band and drama and right now it's unclear if he'll be able to participate in either activity. 

"I'm in band and performing arts. I know that in band you have to bring your own instruments and you still can't play any instruments that require air to be blown through it. I don't really know how we're going to do that at all."

Students will head back to school as part of a staggered entry this week and will be back in class full-time after the Labour Day long weekend.