Time management
Your online classes may or may not have designated times for lectures, and this can be hard to navigate. In order to continue academic success, it's important to:
- Check Canvas to see if your lectures are set for certain times or prerecorded. This can help determine how you will structure your days. Confirm directly with your instructor if you are not sure.
- Set designated times to watch lectures and complete assignments. Dedicating specific times to watch lectures and study can help you feel organized and keep pace with the course.
- Create daily to-do lists. Writing out tasks can keep you accountable and is great way to see your progress for the day.
- Schedule breaks in between classes. In between lectures and assignments take a break and get your body moving.
- Make sure your schedule is manageable. Try not to overload your schedule; be sure to pace yourself with your courses while staying on top of your daily academic activities.
Setting up a home work station
Just like finding great places to study for in-person classes, it’s important to create or find a space to participate in your online classes.
- Find a quiet space to work. Find a space that is free of distractions.
- Avoid temptations. Consider taking games off your laptop so you won’t be inclined to play them. Set time limits or block social media and “black hole” websites during your school time with browser extensions like SelfControl or Forest.
- Create a phone-free area. You can get easily distracted by your phone in classes on campus, and it can happen while watching a lecture online or studying at home. Turn off your cell phone, or put it in a different room. Turn off notifications on your laptop, too, so you can give your education your full attention.
Staying engaged
Online classes can make it hard to stay engaged and motivated. Try to engage in classes by:
- Attending your professor’s (and TAs) office hours.
- Asking questions during lectures or on the discussion boards in Canvas.
- Creating group chats with classmates.
- Making a study group that you can video-chat with a few times a week.
- Reaching out for help if you need it.
- Check your email daily.
Study help
Several of CU Boulder's tutoring labs offer online help for classes:
- ASAP Tutoring is available for first-year students and Bear Creek students. Sessions are held via Zoom, through their app Penji.
- Economics offers a free "drop-in" tutoring lab online via Zoom! Please see the updated tutoring schedule to check availability.
- The MARC (Mathematics Academic Resource Center) is offering tutoring via Zoom. Please see the updated tutoring schedule.
- The Physics Help Room offers remote sessions via Zoom. You can access the full schedule and corresponding Zoom links on their Resources and Help page under Physics Help Room.
- The Writing Center will be offering all sessions online. See instructions for signing up.
- Ask a librarian is a resource you can use to can get remote access to librarians who can help with research assignments
Accommodation resources for remote learning
Disability Services is here to support you as you experience remote learning. As you prepare, please review the Student Accommodation Resources for Remote Learning page. Here you will find information about academic accommodations and how they show up in the remote classroom environment.
In addition, Disability Services has created a Tips for Excelling in an Online Learning Environment page for you to review. Please direct any additional questions you may have to your assigned access coordinator.
Social connections
It's important to stay connected to your peers, faculty and staff. Stay connected by:
- Calling or video-chatting. This can also be a great way to stay connected to study groups.
- Utilizing group chats with friends.