A Harvard University student sits with her belongings before returning home to Ormond Beach, Fla., for the rest of the semester. Harvard and many other colleges and universities have moved to online instruction and closed dorms because of COVID-19.

Harvard and Tufts aren’t giving students a break on tuition. Some colleges are partially refunding room and board fees

All of the sudden, Shannon Tremblay’s classes at Des Moines Area Community Colleges are going online as the coronavirus pandemic grips the U.S., and the end date for that virtual schooling is uncertain.

All sorts of students like Tremblay will have to adjust as their colleges turn to distance learning, but online education is tougher for Tremblay. She’s a dental hygiene student and clinic days are part of her curriculum.

“It is upsetting that we are going online but I understand why my college is taking precautions and I respect their decision for trying to keep everyone safe,” Tremblay, 24, said, noting that studying dental hygiene means getting very close to patients, though students do wear protective gear.

The status of those clinic days are now unclear and Tremblay’s professors are figuring out how to administer tests.