Remote Learning

Adjusting to a remote learning environment can at times present some challenges. However, making some adjustments to your study plan (or making a new one) can help you feel more in control of your day and academics. With this in mind, below are some helpful tips and strategies for remote learning so you can stay in control of your study habits and academic success.

This guide will provide you with information on:

• Staying organized and setting a schedule
• Adjusting your study habits for in person learning
• Working in groups
• Study tips
• Staying healthy and connected to other people

1. Keep a Daily Routine

• Create a daily routine, including a morning routine, even if you don't have morning classes.
• Take breaks to have all three meals to keep your brain functioning.
• Take breaks between classes and study time to recharge and refocus on your classes.
• Check your email or Canvas at least once a day for each class to stay informed of any announcements or changes.
• If you meet regularly with campus resources like Student Accessibility Services, Student Counseling Center, Academic and Learning Resources, ADHD Coaching, etc., change the meeting location to Zoom, so you don't miss a meeting.

2. Set a Schedule

• Keeping a daily, weekly and monthly schedule, it will not only help you stay organized but also stay on top of all the items on your to-do list, especially course-related tasks. Setting a schedule will also help you stay motivated and avoid procrastination.
• Use your phone to your advantage by using the reminder app. Set reminders as you work through the day to know when you need to connect to classes or study/do homework.
• Have a calendar and mark all important dates so you don’t miss any exams or turning in your work on time, especially if any assignment date changes throughout the semester.
• Have an agenda so you can detail all daily activities and balance your day so that you have enough time to attend classes and office hours, study time, as well as have leisure time.

Here’s an example of how your daily schedule could look like:

3. Keep Track of Changes in your Classes

• Be sure to read all of your professors’ emails carefully and thoroughly to make sure you know what changes are being made to the course. Reach out to your professors as soon as possible, if there are any instructions, tasks or activities that you do not understand. Some possible changes to look for are:
  • Deadline changes for assignments, projects, or exams. Make note of the new dates in your calendar or planner.
  • Updates to links and/or login information needed to connect to the platforms that your professor will use for the class, such as Zoom.
  • Professor's virtual office hours times and what platform will your professor use to hold these meetings. 

Here is an example on how to keep track of course changes:

As you move to a remote learning environment, not only is it a good idea to keep a daily schedule to keep up with your course work, but you will also have to make some adjustments to the strategies you usually use to study.

1. Adjusting Your Study Routine

• Create your own study area. Make sure that you have a space to call your own where you can have all your tools and be comfortable enough to have a productive study session.
• If you like studying at the Middle Ground, Barrett Library or the Rat, try setting up a coffee or tea bar at home and sit in comfortable chair or use the kitchen table to study, instead of being in your bedroom. 
• If you prefer studying in groups, set up a videocall with your study group on a platform like Zoom, FaceTime, What's App, etc. Try setting up the meeting for the same time your group usually meets to keep the routine going.
• Avoid tight deadlines as much as possible. Give yourself ample time to do your work by following a schedule or have study partners to keep you accountable on your work.

2. Working in Groups

• Working in groups remotely can feel very different from when you meet on campus, but you can still meet with your group.
• Communication is key. Just like in-person group work, you must communicate with your group members often to know what everyone is working on and piecing the project together.
• Meet often, whether through group chat, phone calls, Zoom meetings, etc. Try to catch up every few days to check in on the progress of the project.
• When meeting through video conferencing, like Zoom; be sure to keep the video screen open so everyone can see each other’s expressions and stay focused on the conversation. Avoid multi-tasking while on your computer or mobile device.
• Set an agenda or expectations for the meeting to keep the conversation on track.
• Reach out to group members that have not participated on a chat discussion or video/phone call to see how their part of the project is coming along. If you don’t get a response from them in couple of days, inform your professor as soon as possible.

3. The Art of Multi-Tasking and Procrastinating – Avoid at all costs!

"To do two things at once is to do neither." -- Publilius Syrus
 

• Multi-Tasking
  • At times like these, where so many changes are happening quickly, we feel that we need to do everything all at once. However, "multi-tasking” may lead us to feel even more frantic.
  • More often than not, when we multi-task we are jumping from one task or assignment to another, without fully completing one or the other. This is referred to as “micro-tasking”.
  • Multi or micro-tasking will often make assignments take longer. This is because you have to familiarize yourself with the content and find the spot where you left off, every time you come back to the assignment you stopped doing to go do something else.
  • Muti-tasking will also make you feel tired and less focused quicker than if you were doing just one task at a time, so you will be prone to making more mistakes.
  • You will have a harder time remembering details, since your brain is being divided into doing two or more things without fully processing one before starting the other and then jumping right back again to the first task.
  • Instead of multi-tasking, focus on doing one assignment or task at a time.
  • Schedule breaks between classes, homework and other activities so that you can recharge and refocus on the next assignment.
  • Break your study time into chunks, also known as the Pomodoro Method. Choose the subject you want to study first, then focus on studying for 25-minutes straight. When the time is up, take a 5 to 10-minute break; then come back to the assignment for another 25- minute chunk. Continue the cycle until you have completed your assignments.
• Procrastinating
  • Remote learning requires students to do a lot more independent work than what they would normally do with a traditional classroom-based class. Therefore, it’s important to keep a schedule so that you don’t fall behind in your classes.
  • Do not wait until the last minute to work on assignments. Start working on assignments earlier to give yourself ample time to study the material and seek help if you need to, like asking course-related questions or troubleshooting internet connectivity or other technical issues.

• Maintain a daily routine and schedule to help you stay on track with your academic schedule and personal environments.
• Take one day at a time and schedule your day by priorities. Work on the most important tasks first.
•  Eating three full meals, staying hydrated and sleeping 8hrs a night will help with better focusing and memorization, thus being more productive.
• Make time to breathe fresh air. This could be as simple as going out to your front or backyard or opening a window. It will help you decompress and re-energize, especially if you are feeling overwhelmed.
• Exercise. Go for a walk or run or do some stretching exercises.
• Create a playlist and dance!
• Schedule daily phone calls or video chats with your family and friends or at the very least, text each other.
• Stay connected with your professors and classmates.
• Be in the know of what’s happening in your community, nationally and of course, at Rhodes! Having accurate information will help you make informed decisions.

Below you will find a list of resources that you can access remotely to assist you with your academic and personal success:

• Academic and Learning Resources
  • Peer Coaching
  • Peer Tutoring
  • Supplemental Instruction
• Counseling Center
• Information Technology Services
• Student Accessibility Services
  • ADHD Coach

Note: Parts of this document were adapted from the resource guide "Adjusting your habits during COVID," published by the Center for Academic Innovation, University of Michigan.