The announcement that nearly all classes will take place in an online format in the fall may have felt like a terrible blow to some, and a massive relief to others. Taking university courses online can certainly be challenging, especially when it comes to staying motivated; however, there are some strategies you can use to maintain your spectacular grade point average, even when the world has turned upside down. On the plus side, at least you won’t have to drive around a full parking lot for half an hour desperately searching for a place to park every morning.
Maintain a calendar. Your first step is to print all your class syllabuses, highlight all important dates like when assignments are due or tests are taking place, and write all these deadlines in a calendar. I prefer a physical calendar, but you may find an online calendar on your phone works just fine. Try setting goals for each day, and be realistic about them. A great idea is to look back and reflect on what goals you met that week; be proud of accomplishments, no matter how small.
Make lists. Depending on how many classes you are taking per semester, it can get overwhelming to keep track of all the small assignments for each course. Start each week by making a to-do list for each course, listing every reading, journal, discussion board, and assignment that needs to be completed by the end of the week, as well as preparation for larger assignments due in the upcoming weeks. I like to put even tiny tasks on to-do lists just to feel accomplished as I cross it off the list. You can get creative with to-do lists, like UFV criminology student Jemma Wright has done — she keeps sets of sticky notes on her laptop that she adds to each week with the tasks and due dates she needs to keep track of.
Participate in discussions. Many online classes will require you to write a “discussion board” post each week or every other week, as well as comment on a few of your classmates’ posts. These small assignments only add up to typically 10-15 per cent of your total mark, but your participation in these discussions could mean the difference between an entire letter grade.
Stay connected. Log in to your myClass account and check your student email every other day. As well, be sure to keep in touch with your professor with any questions you may have about the material. Keep in mind that some professors prefer you to be highly professional in all communication with them — the ones that do will usually make this clear in their course introduction.
Have a workspace. As tempting as it may be to just stay in your pyjamas all day, it will be better for your grades and your mental health if you get dressed and study at a desk. UFV counsellor Marnie Venema explains that it’s all about “transitioning our brain into the mode of ‘I’m beginning school now.’” Because your body isn’t going through the routine of driving to school and entering the classroom, you have to find another way to put yourself in the context of learning and listening. It might be beneficial to take your books and computer to UFV, as some buildings remain open during the week. The Abbotsford campus buildings A, B, C, D, and the Chilliwack campus Building A are all open Monday – Friday from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. The computer labs in Building G, room 210 on the Abbotsford campus and in Building A, room 1202 on the Chilliwack campus are still open for students to use as well during the summer semester. Working in a space that reminds you of school will also help eliminate a lot of distractions that come with studying online, like “quick” Netflix breaks that turn into a four-hour binge session.
Set a schedule. Taking classes online allows you to have a much more flexible schedule; however, that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t have any schedule at all. If you are a student who struggles with the motivation needed for online classes, you should set blocks of time during the week to work on each course, similar to having a regular course schedule. Having set time for you to watch lectures, catch up on readings, and work on assignments will make it feel like you actually go to school. Erin Haan, a UFV student studying sociology and communications, has found it helpful to give each course its own day of the week. Be sure to include not just schoolwork in your schedule, but create blocks of time for yourself to relax, get outside, and get together with friends. Haan prioritizes getting outside during her days off.
“Having a day off no matter how much homework I have gives me motivation for the week to come,” Hann said.
Study with friends. See if any of your classmates are interested in forming a study group, to either meet online in a Zoom meeting, or in-person while social distancing, to tackle material that is harder to understand. Studying with others can help make online classes feel like you are actually in school.
Staying Motivated
A huge roadblock when it comes to online courses is remaining motivated. It is very easy to get off track when there is no need to attend class every week, which could result in falling behind, which leads to even less motivation than before. Here are some tips to help you stay motivated throughout the semester and into the fall as well.
Healthy lifestyle choices: Studies have proven a direct correlation between physical health and mental health. It is so important to stick to a regular sleep schedule, consistently exercise and eat healthy, and stay away from excessive drug and alcohol use in order for your brain to function properly. Instead of ending a long day of online studies by plopping in front of the TV to binge another season of the show your friend recommended you, how about going for a run, or a hike, or a bike ride — anything that gets your heart pumping and your lungs breathing fresh air.
Phone a counsellor: If you are feeling overwhelmed and just need to talk to someone about what you’re going through, you can book an appointment with a UFV counsellor, who are still taking appointments virtually and over the phone. Alternatively, you can use the Here2Talk service which connects you to a counsellor for 24/7 support through their app, website, or over the phone. If you are part of the student healthcare plan offered by SUS you can also phone Empower Me, another hotline that offers 24/7 access to counsellors for post-secondary students who need someone to talk to. Venema made it clear that there are plenty of counselling appointments available virtually with UFV counsellors and that this online format has worked surprisingly well for the department.
“We’ve really connected with our clients over the phone sometimes even more so than in person because sometimes that intimidating factor of someone staring at you as you’re sharing things isn’t there, so for some people it actually feels a little bit safer,” said Venema.
Why are you in that course? It is hard to stay motivated to do something you don’t see any point in doing. For each online course you are enrolled in, write down the reasons why you are taking that course — even if it is just “I need this course to get my degree.” Whenever you feel a lack of motivation, go back to that piece of paper you wrote your reasons down on to remind yourself why you should complete that next assignment. Wright, who has often struggled with motivation while doing online courses said, “The idea that each course I complete means that I am closer to completing my degree definitely helps with my motivation.”
Show yourself compassion: The counselling centre is offering online workshops to help students adjust to the challenges of online learning, and her first piece of advice for students is to have a lens of compassion for yourself through this difficult transition. She advised students that just because they have what seems like a lot more free time right now, that doesn’t necessarily mean you are expected to be productive at all waking hours.
“You’re going to have to figure out a new way of doing things for yourself, and a new rhythm because that typical structure that’s been there, isn’t there,” said Venema. “Don’t be so critical of yourself; when you’re a little less critical and a little more compassionate it gives us more space to look at the problems that we’re facing and find new ways to approach them versus just judging ourselves immediately and thinking that we’re just slackers.”
Prioritize self-care: Notice when you’re feeling overwhelmed and think of things you would normally do to help in order to calm yourself down. “If you’ve been inside for a long time, simply stepping outside your house and breathing the fresh air and listening to the sounds around you, feeling the ground under your feet, is going to help reorient you,” said Venema. “If our nervous system is feeling really tired and fatigued, changing our environment, our body position, the temperature, and the things that we’re seeing can really wake us up a little bit.” All in all, listen to your body and take care of yourself.
UFV Resources
UFV has many of the same resources available to students online as it did when classes were running normally. Here is an overview of services you may find useful:
Academic Success Centre: Book an online tutoring session with an Academic Success Centre tutor if you are struggling with any of the course material, or need a little extra help with that research paper.
Math & Stats Centre: If you need help specifically with a math or statistics course, the Math & Stats Centre is still open for online instruction; however, you still need to register for the Math & Stats Centre course, which is free. Instructions on how to enrol should be included already on your math or statistics course’s Blackboard, or you can ask your professor.
Library: Although the library may be physically closed, many materials are available online in digital format, including ebooks, online journals, reference books, and videos.
Advising Centre: Academic advisors are offering virtual, phone, or email appointments for students who have questions about their programs or need help with their course selections.
Counselling: Counsellors are still accepting appointments virtually and over the phone. Phone them in Abbotsford at 604-854-4528 or in Chilliwack at 604-795-2808 to book an appointment, or email them at ssfrontdesk@ufv.ca. Follow UFV Counselling on Facebook to stay up to date on the several workshops they are holding on topics such as mindfulness and study skills.
Illustrations: Anoop Dhaliwal/The Cascade
Andrea Sadowski is working towards her BA in Global Development Studies, with a minor in anthropology and Mennonite studies. When she's not sitting in front of her computer, Andrea enjoys climbing mountains, sleeping outside, cooking delicious plant-based food, talking to animals, and dismantling the patriarchy.