Seem: It seemed (like) a normal day at school

[Tung Quoc]

Please read:

1.It seemed like a normal day at school.
2.It seemed a normal day at school.

Are they the same meaning?
If not, what is the difference in their meanings?
If yes, "like" in (1) is redundant?

Quoc

[Torsten]

I think the following two versions would be possible:
It seemed like a normal day at school.
It seemed to be a normal day at school.

I don't think you can leave out the word 'like' in your second sentence.

TOEFL listening lectures: A lecture from an arts class