The context of the following conversation is Aubrey, the professor, opened the projects that the students submitted in the online form.:
Aubrey says Let's see if  I can open these projects up so I can see how well they understood the lesson.
The friend responds Your class has greatly improved this year.
Aubrey responds I really hope so, it's hard being the professor sometimes.
The friend responds Things have changed so much since I was younger. looks like they can submit things online now.
Aubrey responds Yea, things are so much easier for everyone now.