Tips for Getting Situated and Staying Engaged
- Eat That Frog!
- Your “frog” is that most difficult exam, project, or concept for you today. Start by tackling it to build momentum and grow your confidence.
- Turn big frogs into little ones by dividing them into steps and spacing them out. This lowers stress - and is one of the most powerful ways to study and learn anything!
- Say It Out Loud!
- Be the teacher & explain it to yourself, your high school-aged brother, your teddy bear - whoever is around you right now! What does this concept mean? How does it work and why?
- This is a way of testing what you understand, another “most powerful” way of learning. So look for those extra online practice tests and try some flashcard apps.
Keep Connecting with People!
This might be one of the most difficult parts about this moment, but also one of the most important. Research shows that social connection is one of the most powerful predictors of mental health, emotional regulation, and even physical well-being.
Here are just a few ways to keep connected with your family, friends, professors, and peers:
- Talk with the people close to you about what you will need to continue to make this a successful school experience under these conditions. And ask them what they might need from you.
- Reach out to classmates. Use a chat in the course or even form a group on some other platform to share tips and info., catch up, or just talk about what’s going on.
- Collaborate with your peers, and use the “say it out loud!” study strategy to explain concepts to test your understanding.
- Make a note of any online help sessions and go - not just for you, but to reach out to others who might need your expertise!
- Keep using university resources! Many colleges are finding ways to put academic advising, psychological counseling, and career coaching online. See if you can set up a virtual meeting to meet your needs.
Finally, do the best you can AND have patience with yourself and others. Focus on what you can control and take good care of yourself!
Source: Indiana University Student Academic Center (sac.indiana.edu/suddenlyonline/index.html)
