How to successfully complete your Winter 2020 classes remotely
Tips to help you stay scholastically motivated during the COVID-19 pandemic.
This post was published on March 17, 2020 at 9 PM MST. Written by Joanna Manchur, Student Engagement & Communications Specialist for the Faculty of Arts. For up-to-date information and U of A updates visit the UAlberta COVID-19 Information webpage. Edited: March 19 at 4pm — updated USS Office contact information.
This is certainly not how any of us — students, staff and faculty members alike — thought this term would end.
Starting today, all classes at the University of Alberta are now being taught remotely. Distance learning has challenges (and advantages) under “normal” circumstances. What the world is facing right now is unprecedented, and being asked to complete the remainder of your Winter 2020 term under these abruptly altered circumstances will be challenging — we know that.
Here is some information that may help you to carry on with your studies, but perhaps too with life in general, right now.
First, I want to remind all students that the withdrawal deadline for Winter term is Wednesday, April 1 at 11:59 PM MST. If you withdraw from any class from now until this date you will see a “W” on your transcript and you will pay 100% of the course costs. I.e. you will not receive a refund.
Please consider the consequences that may result from withdrawing from one or more classes (this could affect your full-time or part-time status, your student scholarships/awards, your ability to remain in your program, etc.).
You are also strongly urged to regularly and frequently check your UAlberta email. As this situation continues to evolve, you will receive updates via email and through the UAlberta website.
5 (and 1/2) Tips to Stay Scholastically Motivated for the Rest of Winter Term
1. Get familiar with your new class expectations.
As of March 17, students should go to eClass to find the most current information about their classes.
Make sure to review the updated plans for your class to ensure that you understand the class assignments and assessments going forward. Please also ensure that you will have access to eClass to be able to review course content for the remainder of the Winter 2020 term.
Once you know and understand what to expect for the rest of term you’ll feel more confident and motivated to tackle what needs to be done.
2. Structure your time. Keep following your class schedule.
Some classes will follow real-time (synchronous) content delivery. For these classes you will for sure need to keep ‘going to class’ at your regular time. If your class will be delivering content using another method (for example through handouts), dedicate the same time to that class and its content.
3. Keep up with the rest of your ‘normal’ schedule.
When you wake up in the morning, shower and get dressed like you would if you were heading off to Tory for your first class of the day. That’s right, change out of those pyjamas! Whether you create a new schedule for yourself or just modify a few parts of your day, create a schedule and stick to it.
3 & 1/2. Include physical activity and mental breaks in your new routine.
Gyms are closed, but outside isn’t! Yes there are plenty of options for working out at home, so for sure do that. But, we all know that getting some fresh air is good for you, so now is the time to start walking. It’s easy and free, so do this at least once a day.
Do something fun or relaxing each day. Watch that movie or TV series you’ve been wanting to. Bonus — you can still do this with friends while keeping social distance. Pick a show, FaceTime each other and press start at the same time.
Be cognizant of going too deep down the social media foxhole… social media is a great way to stay connected, but sometimes it can get to be too much. Go old school — buy some magazines or books (coordinate with friends so you can swap later), pull out a board game, have a dance party in your living room, or find a way to do something that would help someone out (while doing your best to maintain social distance).
4. Create a home “classroom”.
Define your learning space — even if it’s just a different part of your dorm room, apartment or house. Take some time (seems like we all have a bit more of that on our hands right now!) and tidy up a space to go to when it’s ‘class time’. You could go even so far as to have a different space for when you are doing homework or writing a paper.
5. Stay connected to your classmates — virtually.
Do your learning independently, but then follow up with a virtual study group at set times. This will help you stay on schedule, and keep you accountable.
Take turns presenting to each other what you’ve learnt. This is actually just a really good study tip in general, because you think you know your stuff, but then when you go to say it and explain it out loud… and sometimes you realize you still got some learning to do!
USS Office Open to Email Only
Faculty of Arts Undergraduate Student Services staff are continuing to support all our students. Following social distancing recommendations, effective March 16, 2020, the Arts USS Office is closed to walk-in traffic.
You are welcome to contact a USS advisor by email at arts.undergrad@ualberta.ca.
Students may also book virtual one-on-one advising sessions. Book your appointment time online, and receive a confirmation email with a link to your private Google Meet session (you can choose phone or video). (Link will be sent approximately 30 minutes before your scheduled appointment, not at the time of booking).
