{"id":120873,"date":"2020-04-08T11:09:53","date_gmt":"2020-04-08T17:09:53","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/communique.uccs.edu\/?p=120873"},"modified":"2020-04-21T15:53:30","modified_gmt":"2020-04-21T21:53:30","slug":"tips-for-succeeding-in-online-classes","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/communique.uccs.edu\/?p=120873","title":{"rendered":"Tips for succeeding in online classes"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Your study space might not look like this, but you can still create a dedicated space in your home that helps you focus. Photo credit: Domenico Loia, Unsplash.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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As UCCS finishes the semester via remote learning and working, it can be challenging to make the transition to online classes. Below, find seven strategies to stay focused and productive.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Create your space <\/h3>\n\n\n\n

When you go to work, there is a physical space set up for\nyou to help you work efficiently and productively. Entering this space sends a\nmessage to your brain that it\u2019s time to get down to business.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Treat your classes the same way by creating a dedicated working space that separates classes and studying from your personal life. Make sure it\u2019s close to a power source and has everything you need \u2013 your textbooks, syllabi, assignments, homework, headphones and other tools \u2013 nearby. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

It should be comfortable, but not a place you go\nspecifically to relax, so avoid your bed or the couch. You\u2019ll be more\nproductive and focused if you\u2019re sitting up straight, with your computer about\nan arm\u2019s length away from your eyes. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you have family or roommates in the house with you, consider setting the expectation that you will close the door when you are tuning into online class or studying. The point is to make a place for yourself that is for you and only you, so that you can be focused and efficient.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Find your new rhythm<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

We are all adjusting to a \u201cnew normal\u201d, and it\u2019s okay to\nfeel disconnected from the rhythm you followed earlier in the semester. It will\nhelp to create a new rhythm. Routine and structure signal to your brain that\nit\u2019s either time to work, or time to relax \u2013 so be intentional in creating a schedule\nthat you can consistently follow each day and week. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Whether it\u2019s Friday afternoon or Monday morning, take a few\nminutes to plan out when you need to attend classes, when you will study and\nwhat assignments have deadlines coming up. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Part of this rhythm includes fitting in all the other important things in your life, like family, friends, exercise and work. Make sure you\u2019re creating a balance between what you have<\/em> to do and what helps you feel happy and relaxed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Reduce distractions<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Technology is amazing. But it’s also a huge source of distraction. If you think back to a lecture you listened to and can\u2019t remember anything that was discussed, you might need to create better boundaries to help you engage with your classes. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

When you\u2019re attending online classes, turn off your phone or\nput it on \u201cDo Not Disturb.\u201d Close out of additional browsers on your computer\nand put a door in between you and other distractions. Consider taking notes\nusing pen and paper to avoid switching between different screens \u2013 and to keep\nyourself from browsing social media or unrelated websites. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Find an accountability buddy<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Just like a workout buddy, an accountability buddy can help you stay on track with your studying and assignments. Ask a friend, roommate or classmate to be your accountability buddy. Agree to check in on each other\u2019s\u2019 progress. Then, establish a time to check in with your accountability buddy, whether it\u2019s at the beginning and end of the day or before each class.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Sometimes, the small act of holding your progress accountable to someone else can be the motivation you need.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Use your resources<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

UCCS has many resources available to help you adapt to remote learning.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

All five Excel Centers are offering online tutoring<\/a>. The Kraemer Family Library is offering virtual research assistance<\/a> through chat, email, phone and text. Several publishers are making books and journal articles<\/a> free during this time, and the library can also digitize materials<\/a> that are only found in print. The Office of Information Technology can help with technology-related questions<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

On that note…<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ask questions<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

If you need a resource but don\u2019t know how or where to find it, ask<\/a>. If you are struggling with a topic or question in class, email your professor or ask a classmate. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Moving to online classes can make you feel like you\u2019re alone. You\u2019re not alone \u2013 and there are resources available to help you succeed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Be honest with yourself<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Take a few minutes every day to check in with yourself. Did you\nstick to your schedule? Did you accomplish what you said you would? What worked,\nand what didn\u2019t work? Where do you need extra help and support to be\nsuccessful?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The more you become aware of what is helping you to be\nsuccessful \u2013 and what\u2019s not \u2013 the more you can create a system that works for\nyou. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Remember, the hardest part of any new transition is the beginning. What may seem difficult and strange will become easier as you get used to it and as you create good structures and routines to support your success.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

As UCCS finishes the semester via remote learning and working, it can be challenging to make the transition to learning via online classes. Here are seven strategies to help you stay focused and productive. (More)<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>","protected":false},"author":27,"featured_media":120875,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_feature_clip_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_links_to":"","_links_to_target":""},"categories":[1,50],"tags":[53,331,264,127,77],"class_list":["post-120873","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-all","category-health-and-wellness","tag-academic-affairs","tag-campus-announcements","tag-excel-centers","tag-kraemer-family-library","tag-office-of-information-technology"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/communique.uccs.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/domenico-loia-hGV2TfOh0ns-unsplash.jpg","jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/p1mBpJ-vrz","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/communique.uccs.edu\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/120873","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/communique.uccs.edu\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/communique.uccs.edu\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/communique.uccs.edu\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/27"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/communique.uccs.edu\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=120873"}],"version-history":[{"count":6,"href":"https:\/\/communique.uccs.edu\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/120873\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":121932,"href":"https:\/\/communique.uccs.edu\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/120873\/revisions\/121932"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/communique.uccs.edu\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/120875"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/communique.uccs.edu\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=120873"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/communique.uccs.edu\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=120873"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/communique.uccs.edu\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=120873"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}