By: Rita M. Rivera – AU PsyD Student, Student Learning Assistant – Title V Student Success
Studying remotely can be a challenge, specifically if you are not accustomed to online learning or if this is your first experience with online learning. Have no fear! Here is a collection of tips to help you transition to attending classes remotely!
1. Keep calm and check your email
Make sure to have access to your Sunmail account. All important updates from the institution, including your professors, will be sent to your school email. It is important for you to regularly check your email for any notifications from Blackboard, changes to your courses’ syllabus, and news from the university. Also, if you have any questions, do not hesitate to contact your professors! They are all eager to help you succeed and make this transition as smooth as possible. Go faculty!
2. Plan your time wisely
Yes, you are home. Yes, you most likely have Netflix or Hulu or Disney+ or all of the above! Plus, we live in the era of social media. It may be tempting to spend all of your time scrolling around the Internet. However, it is important for you to sit down and work through your projects as consistently as possible. If you were already attending school during a block of time every day, keep using that time to work on your remote assignments. Just because you are not physically attending school, does not mean you are on break or vacation. Keep up with your course workload! You will be done before you know it! Don’t forget to register for your Summer 2020 courses!
3. Know what tools you need
Depending on the course you are enrolled in, you may need to figure out what kind of tools can help you the best. Albizu University uses the Blackboard system. Make sure that you are familiar with the program and able to navigate through your courses. It is important that you have a compatible browser too! Do not wait until the last minute to figure all of this out (e.g. 5 minutes before an online quiz). If you have any questions or tech-related issues, contact the school’s information technology department at auitshelp@albizu.edu.
Some classes may require you to scan your work. You can try using the camera of your smartphone as a scanner. However, if that does not work, there are certain apps, such as Scanner, that you can download to your phone, personal computer, or laptop and use to scan your homework. Make sure to check your options before the deadline of an assignment.
4. Take your work seriously
Again, you are not on break (yet)! You are taking classes at home. Give your work the amount of attention it needs. Generally, a classroom limits inevitable distractions. Therefore, find a quiet space to work! This way you will keep your environment as free of distractors as possible. Do not scroll through those PowerPoint slides while your TV is on. Try to put your phone away while you are attending online lectures. Remember that once you are in front of the camera you are in the presence of you professors and peers. Be professional and respectful (e.g. dress accordingly, do not use your phone while your professors and peers talk, and wait your turn to chime in and ask questions). Try to stay mentally engaged during synchronous course activity!
5. Stay healthy
You want a healthy mind in a healthy body! Our brain depends on our body’s health to work to its fullest. Eat well, hydrate, get plenty of sleep, and take regular breaks. Pause between classes to stretch your arms and legs, as well as to avoid eye strain from the computer screen. Most importantly, RELAX. Practice stress management techniques such as relaxation and breathing exercises. Do not stress out so much about studying remotely! If you keep a positive attitude and manage your time wisely, you will be able to adapt to whatever comes your way! You got this!
For any issues related with Blackboard/Collaborate contact the ITS department at auitshelpdesk@albizu.edu;
If you are having problems connecting to Blackboard or sunmail, contact the auitshelpdesk@albizu.edu. Students with limited access to the Internet may want to take advantage of a 60 day free trial offer from Comcast –https://corporate.comcast.com/press/releases/internet-essentials-low-income-broadband-coronavirus-pandemic choose Carlos Albizu University.
If you need help with assignments, consider making an appointment with the Tutoring Center by calling (305) 593-1223, ext. 3264 or 3245 or by sending an email to dosa@albizu.edu
If you need to meet with a peer mentor to discuss other pertinent issues email peermentor@albizu.edu or ksanchez@albizu.edu.
Albizu University’s Office of Student Affairs and Title V staff is here to serve you!
Helpful.
Thank you.
Thank you Lisandra, please let us know of any other topics you would like for us to talk about. Student feedback is always welcome!
Thank you so much Rita for the well-informed and thorough information. Rita is such a great tutor and great asset to this department. Thank you