Tips for academic success and physical health
Fernanda Figueroa | THE RIDER
As a majority of classes move online due to the coronavirus pandemic some students might find achieving success this semester more challenging.
For success in online learning one of the best practices to partake in is time management. This can involve anything from setting study times, break times, recording due dates, doing everything in a timely manner and using a planner to set how your day will look.
“Time management in this particular type of environment is key to anyone’s success,” Associate Director of the Learning Center Arlene Ready said. “[Students should] have a schedule set of when they are going to prepare to study, how much they are going to devote for each area [and] do it in a timely manner, not try to do it all in one.”
A challenge students might face is being proactive from home. It is often harder for students to be proactive from their bedroom compared to from school. Associate Director of the Learning Center Michael Foster recommends for students to have designated areas with no distractions where students can be in student mode and properly engage in their school work.
“[Students] need to make sure they have an area they can go to, so mentally they know they are supposed to be working on school stuff,” said Foster. “They need to make sure they try to get rid of as many distractions as possible. Eliminate those distractions which distract you from things you are supposed to be doing in order to progress in the class.”
Ready advises students to treat online classes as if you are going to a regular class.
“You need to get into that school mode so that you can take it seriously and do all the things you are supposed to do, just as if you were on campus,” she said.
Being motivated is also key to ensure success this fall. The changes happening this fall might cause frustration for some students and taking classes from home might not be the most motivating experience, but students have to set goals. Setting a goal, even if it’s short term and remembering why you are taking classes in the first place will give you the motivation you need.
“You have to keep that positive attitude to keep the motivation up,” said Ready. “And understand you are not the only one going through this.”
Another challenge students might face with online classes is adapting to the change in learning environment. Online classes often take away students’ chances to interact with their teachers and peers. Students should take advantage of their available technological resources to interact with their peers and teachers as they would on a regular basis.
Students, especially this semester, should utilize all the available resources, such as the Learning Center, the Academic Advising Center, the Career Center, the Counseling Center, and Health Services to ensure their success this fall.
Achieving academic success is not the only worry this semester. As some students prepare to complete a semester fully online one of the worries includes staying physically healthy. Many students will find themselves at home sitting at a desk in front of their computers for hours at a time while they attend classes.
Here are some tips to stay physically healthy this fall:
- exercise
- practice good posture/ergonomics
- practice good hand positioning when using your computer
- use gel rolls to rest your wrists while using your computer
- have good eye positioning
- use a good chair that makes you sit in an upright position
- walk
- avoid fast foods
- have a balanced diet (meat, grains, fibers and vegetables) and
- take breaks
“It is very easy to fall into a sedentary pattern where you are not getting enough exercise and that is the main cause of illness today,” said Director of Health Services Rick Gray. “Don’t sit at your desk for three to four hours at a time. You need to get up and walk around … exercise plenty.”
For more tips visit https://www.utrgv.edu/tutoring/ and https://www.utrgv.edu/health-services/.
