First thing

At the start of each day, check your email and course pages on Blackboard for any announcements, especially during this time as things are evolving and changing on a daily basis.  If you use Outlook or Gmail for email, you can create folders for your classes and then set rules to forward incoming messages to a particular folder.  That will help you separate the important emails from the “junk.”

 

Navigating MySPC and Texan Connect How-to Videos
 

Don’t let online classes fool you

Working from home and taking all online classes might seem like a break, but in reality, online courses often require more self-discipline and self-learning compared to in-person classes. It’s tempting, for example, to do things like sleep in, stay in your pajamas all day, “skip” online lecture sessions, and drop your exercise routine. Short term, these things feel good, for sure; but the long-term effects can be detrimental to your overall health and your academic success.
 
For example, we recommend preparing for your online exams the same way you would if it was given in person. Instructors will likely have to alter testing material to accommodate an environment where students are taking exams unmonitored. If this is the case, it’s tempting to think you can rely only on notes in lieu of studying. Do not fall into this trap.
 
Instead, focus on staying organized to avoid academic mishaps. Organize your notes and books using tabs to mark different sections. Keeping lists, formula sheets, and vocabulary terms in one place will help you quickly reference important information whenever you need it—especially when it’s time to study or during an open book/notes exam.
 

Be understanding

For this situation in particular, be understanding. Moving all classes online is likely new for a lot of instructors also. Be courteous and gracious when mistakes are made. If you notice mistakes, focus on communicating the problem clearly and politely and avoid using blaming or angry language as that will only exacerbate the situation. Remember, we’re all in this together.
 

Spend time, right now, planning your day

STOP. Take time right now to create a consistent schedule for yourself. If your instructor updates their syllabus for the rest of the semester, use that syllabus as a guide. Make "going to class" a regular part of your schedule.  
 
If your class met face to face from 9:10 – 10:00, Monday, Wednesday, Friday, you should continue to make time for that class at that same time.  You’ll be there virtually for mandatory lectures.  If there is not a mandatory virtual lecture that day, then use that time for viewing online lectures, reading the required materials, working on homework, and staying current with course material.  At this point in the semester and with the switch to online, this is not the time to change what you’ve been doing up to this point.  Consistency is key to success in the online environment.  
 
If you already had a schedule in place, look at your most recent daily or weekly schedule and find the activities that will be most difficult to recreate during a period of isolation. If you didn’t have a daily or weekly schedule written down before, don’t stress. 
 
Find ways to recreate workouts you can do at home or outside  since the gym is closed. If you regularly attended anything that contributed to your mental, physical, or spiritual health, keep those things in your schedule and find ways to attend or watch them online.
 

Make a dedicated workspace

Some of you might be spending the rest of the semester at home with parents, other family members, roommates, or possibly friends. Even if you’re not, it’s important to create a good working and studying environment. Find a space that you can dedicate to “attending” online classes and studying. It might be your dining table, it might be a home office, it might be your mom’s sewing room—regardless, set it up so that your brain knows “when I’m in this space, it’s time to focus.”
 

Set boundaries

Talk with the people you live with about creating a situation that respects your time and study space. It’s hard to focus if your mom is calling for you to take out the garbage while you’re watching a Collaborate lecture. Share your plan and schedule with everyone so they know what to expect.
 

Take a full lunch break

With our regular activities and events being cancelled and the government calling for people to avoid crowds, you’re likely spending more and more time at home. While this gives you more free time because you don’t have to do things like commuting, it’s important to still take that break in the middle of your work day, whenever that is. Go for a walk around your neighborhood or a park. Eat outside. Listen to some music while you enjoy a calming activity. Giving your brain a rest is just as important as putting in the study and class hours.
 

Be your own advocate

While there are wide variety of resources and people available to help you with school, taking charge of your learning is the best strategy for a successful semester. Being your own advocate might sound like the following statements:

• “Hi [instructor, SI leader, therapist], I am feeling nervous about how the transition to all online classes will affect my academic performance. What advice are you telling other students to help them deal with this?”
• “I really don’t understand x, y, z concept—can you work with me or recommend online resources to better explain it?”
• “Hi, I need to make an appointment with an academic coach because I am struggling with time management and need more accountability right now.”
• “I am not feeling well. Can we work out an alternate due date for this assignment so I can rest?”

 

Practice using the technology before you need it

Be sure to familiarize yourself with Blackboard and the Collaborate feature. Host an online meeting with a friend so you can test your computer’s audio and video capabilities as well as your internet connection.  Taking a half hour to make sure you know how your online system works can save a big headache later. 
 
Keep in mind, if you are nearing a deadline and can’t submit the assignment or project because of technology problems, don’t forget to email your instructor to let them know what’s going on. Be sure to include the file/homework/project as proof that it was done on time. Screenshots are also useful tools when communicating technology problems.
 
 

Bonus tips if your course is synchronous (presented online live)

• Use your webcam if possible. Instructors read students’ faces and body language to gauge if they need to slow down or explain things differently.
• Mute yourself during lecture and then unmute if you need to speak. This minimizes distracting background noises for participants.
• Resist the temptation to look at other websites during lecture. Avoid ‘multi-tasking.’
• If it’s comfortable for you to do so, consider taking notes by hand despite being on a computer.
• Sign into the meeting 5-10 minutes early to ensure you can connect. Your instructor may answer questions during this time.
• Your instructor may stay connected once lecture is over to answer questions from students so don’t log out right away.
• Ask your instructor if they (or someone else) will be reading the chat box. If so, feel free to use it but understand that there will likely be a delay.
• In Collaborate you can use the ‘Raise your hand’ feature to let your instructor know you have a question. In very large classes this may not be as useful since your instructor can only see a few people on their screen at a time.
• Consider using a headset with headphones and a microphone (or AirPods). This keeps the noise level down in your study area and allows for better audio when speaking. 

 

Bonus tips if your course is asynchronous (recorded lectures posted online)

• Don’t try to write down everything your instructor says. Take notes as you usually would in person (without the ability to stop the instructor or relisten).
• Do not skip ahead in the recording. Listen to everything.
• Listen to the recording until it is done playing. Your instructor could wrap it up and say goodbye and then remember one thing to tell you.
• Listen to recordings soon after they are posted. Your instructor could make an announcement about an assignment or opportunity for you that you could miss out on if you wait.
• If your course uses discussion boards, aim to be one of the first people to post/reply. Contribute to the discussion with thoughtful posts. Write more than ‘I agree’ and ‘Good point.’
• Follow up with your instructor with any questions you may have. Visit their virtual office hours or send an email.

 adapted from  The Academic Success Center, Texas A&M University