(Adapted from Northeastern University)

1. If you paid up, then show up.

   • Take the remote course seriously: work on it regularly just as you would attend a face-to-face class regularly.
   • Procrastination leads to disaster in remote learning.

2. Be your own nag.

   • You won’t be getting daily reminders in class to do your readings and assignments. So set up your own work schedule and stick to it with strong discipline.
   • If this isn’t your style, team up with a classmate and hold each other accountable.

3. Manage your time.

   • Unstructured time can be overwhelming, so don’t let yourself drown in a sea of unscheduled time.

   Do these four things:

   1. Build your work schedule around your major assignments, and take into account foreseeable disruptions on the horizon.
   2. Follow a weekly schedule to stay on top of the regular class stuff like lectures, readings, videos, forums, quizzes, etc.
   3. Work in short, manageable time blocks, with built in short, healthy breaks to keep your mind sharp.
   4. Check-in with yourself three times throughout the term - are you sticking to your goals, plans and schedule, or are you slipping up and in need of re-focusing.

4. Create an effective study space.

   Find a space where you can concentrate on your school work, and set it up to work best for you:

   1. Post a calendar with your schedule and deadlines.
   2. Keep the mess within your comfort range.
   3. Have a reliable, high-speed internet connection.
   4. Have the required books, access to e-materials, and needed software for the course.
   5. Have headphones or earbuds/pods for listening to lectures or discussions (this is especially important in shared spaces).

5. Minimize distractions.

   • Be honest with yourself about how distractible you are, and take steps to keep it from ruining your chances of success.

     1. Think of your phone as your study enemy.
     2. Social media is designed to addict you to its notifications. Find a way to turn them off or even block them while you are in study mode. Applications like Cold Turkey and Freedom can block the apps whose business plan it is to monopolize your attention.
     3. Give yourself social media/phone breaks, but keep them short. Yes, this takes discipline.

6. Know your learning style.

   • What time of day are you free to be uninterrupted while studying?
   • What time of day do you work best?
   • How long is your concentration span?
   • What creature comforts help you work better?
   • Figure out your best learning modes, and use them to advantage. Do you learn best by reading, listening or viewing? Remote teaching gives you opportunities to choose how you get your content.

7. Check in often.

   • Participate actively in the forums by both reading your classmates’ postings and making your own. Forums reinforce the daily learning in your course and make your later studying go a lot smoother.
   • Contact your Instructor! Office hours are, in fact, usually a quiet time, where the Instructor sits there waiting and nobody calls!

8. Be social.

   • Both for your mental health and your academic success, connect with other learners by seizing the opportunities to collaborate with classmates.
   • Consider taking a remote course simultaneously with existing friends, so you can support one another throughout the course
   .

9. Access academic supports.

   • If you feel like you are struggling, access the other student support areas referenced below, Stress relief, Better grades, and Library assistance.

Online Student Success Workshops

Many of the Online Student Success Workshops such as time management and study skills are available on UR Courses so you can complete them at your own pace. Register for the workshops through UR Self-Service.

Counselling Services

If you are struggling with a crisis, contact counselling services to find out your options.

Academic Advisors

Get help in understanding your academic options and building a degree program with academic integrity, tailored to your particular interests and goals.

If you need to make some tough choices about courses you are taking right now, contact an advisor in your area to discuss your options.

Academic Schedule

Check for important University dates such as the last day to drop a class.

Bookstore

Do a price comparison and order your textbook(s) online and have it delivered to your home.

How Do I Cite?

Get help with how to cite sources using APA, MLA, Chicago etc.

Student Behaviour

The University has clear expectations regarding your conduct as a student, both generally and with respect to academic studies.

Writing Support

Sign up for one-on-one online writing help (using Zoom web conferencing).

Check out these videos - Pre-writing, Writing, Research & References, Style

Liaison Librarians

Subject Liaison Librarians in your field are the starting point for assistance with resources, and research methods specific to your subject.

Library Help

There are a number of ways the library can provide assistance. Visit the Help section of their website for more information.

Chat Now

Library help is available via an online chat service whenever the Library Help Desk is open. For current help desk hours please refer to the Library Hours page.

UREAD

Off-campus students can borrow library materials for free using the toll-free phone number 1-800-667-6014, email uread@uregina.ca, or the online request form.

• Make it Familiar

  • If you enjoy listening to lecturesbut the material is written, record yourself reading notes and then listen to the recording
  • If you find it hard to focusin an online class, use a stress-ball or fidget while reading your notes or listening to a lecture
  • If you enjoy taking notes in classes, take notes while “attending” an online class as well

• Create a Learning Environment

  • Sit at a proper desk, or table and chair
  • Ensurea stable internet connection
  • Turn off social media notifications
  • Wear what you would wear if you were attending class
  • Communicate with anyone in your home when you will be working to reduce distractions
  • Use noise-cancelling headphones (with or without music!) to help limit distractions

• Take Active Breaks

  Take breaks! Get some fresh air, play with a pet, draw, listen to music, or chat with a friend on the phone.

  Set a timer for your breaks and your working time, so you can relax guilt-free and remember when to go back to work.

• Stay in Touch

  Just because you aren’t in class, doesn’t mean you can’t communicate with classmates, professors, or Teacher Assistants –you can find classmates’ and professor contact information on UR Courses.

  Reach out to ask questions, discuss content, and help one another, just like you wouldin a classroom.

• Stay in Routine

  Block off time in your schedule to “attend” class

  Also book time for working on assignments, homework, and studying

• Still Have Questions?

  The Student Success Centre is here to help!

  Contact us:

  Phone: 306-585-4076
  Email: Student.Success@uregina.ca