Online school presents new difficulties that students have not previously experienced.
Samantha Ansley, the coordinator of academic coaching at Auburn University, said there are some strategies for people with managing workload.
“In academic coaching, we encourage students to establish a consistent schedule that outlines the specific times they need to attend class, studying, homework, clubs, fun and life activities,” she said.
Ansley also said the program helps students create these schedules by using a grid template that can be found on the academic coaching website.
Creating an outlined schedule like this can help students manage their workload at home, she said.
“A student is less likely to forget to attend a class or watch a video for an asynchronous course because they have a plan for when they attend their online classes,” she said. “The schedule may vary in how detailed it is based on the students’ preferences, though we suggest starting with high priority or non-flexible responsibilities such as class time, then study[ing] and then work or club time.”
Ansley said it can help to create a Google Calendar or a similar tool to help with keeping track of assignments. She said students can set a “start date” for when students should start assignments, a “target date” for when they would like the assignment to be completed and also set an alert for the actual due date.
Ansley said for helping with class attendance having an “accountability partner” is beneficial.
“This is a person, such as a friend or a classmate, who also wants to hold themselves to their goals,” she said.
Ansley said having a tutor or attending supplemental instruction sessions through academic support can meet a similar need.
For staying focused during online lectures, she said to turn off your phone, put it on silent or use an app like Unplugged or Forest.
Students should also close down all computer applications other than what they need for the class at hand because sometimes other pages can be distracting, she said.
Ansley also said it will help with focusing to take notes as you would for an in-person class because this will help you stay focused and support your learning as you are using different parts of your brain to process information.
“Online learning does not have to be bad or less valuable than an in-person class,” she said. “Online classes can be complementary or a great alternative learning experience to in-person classes, filled with active learning, breakout rooms and interactive tools readily available in an online space.”
Maggie Mayfield, sophomore in hospitality management with a focus in culinary science, said it has been difficult to keep a schedule with the lack of a streamline communication method.
“I find it difficult to do classes online when my professors have three to four different platforms that they are choosing to use in order to teach,” she said. “It makes it harder to figure out what assignments there are and when anything is due.”
She also said she finds it harder to focus in Zoom classes because of how many issues there are with all of the technology and people forgetting to mute themselves.
There is more personal connection in person with your professors when asking questions, she said.
“The lack of social and peer connection has brought less opportunities to grow in the community with people around me,” Mayfield said.
Do you like this story? The Plainsman doesn't accept money from tuition or student fees, and we don't charge a subscription fee. But you can donate to support The Plainsman.
Abby Winskowicz, sophomore in communication, is a lifestyle writer at The Auburn Plainsman.
