Stay Focused: Your Academics and Online Classes during the COVID-19 Pandemic
Across the country, we are being asked to practice social distancing because of COVID-19. Unfortunately, the pandemic has resulted in colleges closing their doors for the remainder of the school term. Most colleges have implemented online classes to help students continue their academic programs. As a college student, you must remain focused on your academics to pass your classes. There will not be any in-person classes for April and possibly May. It seems like an extended Spring Break but it is not. Completing your academic program virtually or online is just as important as if you were in the classroom. Besides, an online course is nothing new to most students but doing all classes online may be difficult for some. There are many tools available to accomplish your assignments. For instance, your college may use various means and platforms to continue your education, in particular, video-chats, team meetings and webinars. Your professors will lecture online and use tools to allow you to interact and collaborate during class. It is up to you to read the assignments, ask questions and complete those assignments by the due date. In truth, the college experience as you knew it a few weeks ago has changed; however, your responsibility and commitment to your class assignments have not.
Here are a few suggestions to navigate your academics while you are at home:
1. Contact your college’s Registrar’s Office or review its website. Confirm that you understand the school’s grading policy, such as the issuance of letter, pass/no pass, or pass/fail grades, for your college online classes during the COVID-19 crisis.
2. Review each class’s syllabus (printed or online). Write down all class periods and assignment deadlines on a calendar to make sure you do not miss any.
3. Make sure to remove as many distractions from your “home” classroom as much as possible. Provide timely feedback to the instructor on whether the video-chat class sessions are engaging, easy to follow, local time, etc. Both the class and professor may have a learning curve to establish an atmosphere of information exchange and insight using the online video platform of choice. With empathy for this unprecedented situation, he/she ought to be receptive to suggestions on facilitating the process.
4. Keep in contact with your professor via email or his/her preferred communication method. Verify how he/she will conduct “office hours” to discuss questions/problems. Respond to any message board inquiries and check your email daily for any updates. Also, communicate off-line with your classmates in this virtual world to form relationships or study groups. You are not alone in this remote learning experience.
5. Do not ever stop showing up for a class for any reason unless you inform your academic advisor, professor, Registrar’s Office and Bursar’s Office, which should trigger a formal drop or withdrawal from the class. Email or call your academic advisor/professor to immediately discuss issues (internet access, illness, conflicts, etc.) with your attendance.
6. Be disciplined in your studying routine. Your college library or many local public libraries should provide access to e-books, downloadable audiobooks, research databases, test prep materials and other online resources (https://www.apu.edu/articles/free-resources-for-online-college-students-during-covid-19/). Some public libraries are leaving the Wi-Fi on for patrons to access the internet in their parking lots. Your student ID card should give you access to your college’s online library resources. Many public libraries are allowing patrons to apply for digital library cards online.
7. Keep your skills sharp by practicing exercises to improve math skills and reading books (fiction/nonfiction) to enhance reading speed and comprehension. Math skills and reading strengthen critical thinking, which you will need to be a future “trustworthy, wise and good steward” of our nation and its people. These necessary competencies will also enhance your ability to read a contract, understand loan terms, complete an application, create/follow a budget, make well-informed decisions, etc.
8. Check-in periodically with your academic advisor, especially, at the semester’s end to build/finalize your academic plan for the fall semester. Ensure the number of classes and credit hours are correct and meet requirements as a part-time or full-time student. Always review your course descriptions for the new academic year and possibly download the syllabi to review and prepare.
9. For this specific semester when it ends, make sure to print off your unofficial transcript with your course grades and scan/file it.
10. If you are a transfer student, check with your new school’s Admissions Office to verify if all of your course credits, including any pass/fail annotations, will count. Confirm the procedure to transfer your credits to your new school and coordinate the transfer through your current college’s Registrar’s Office.
11. Use this time wisely and stay focused. Critically think about what you need to do to pass your classes and be disciplined in performing those tasks through this pandemic.
12. Be well and stay safe!
Valarie R. Austin is the author of The Student’s Comprehensive Guide for College & Other Life Lessons. She has a wealth of knowledge on the subjects of career and college preparation. She also conducts career and college readiness workshops for high school students and parents. Check out her author’s pages on https://www.linkedin/in/valarie-r-austin, https://www.goodreads.com/valarie_r_austin and https://www.amazon.com/author/valarie_r_austin. A Youtube.com review of her book can found at https://youtu.be/xy_GSHlJsa0. The article was edited by Raffie Johnson. Copyright 2020, Vauboix Publishing LLC.
The Student's Comprehensive Guide For College & Other Life Lessons
