The COVID-19 outbreak impacted the entire world and many college campuses. As students first thought this virus was giving them a longer spring break, campuses have been closed for several months and it creates a unique environment never before seen for this upcoming semester.
As we return for the upcoming academic year, still in the midst of a pandemic, many institutions are switching to hybrid classes for safety precautions. If you are confused about what hybrid classes are, these courses are a combination of online and in-person learning. For many schools, you may meet once a week and then have another online class during the week, if not exclusively participating in classes online.
Other schools will be having in-person classes for the beginning of the semester and transition to online classes after Thanksgiving break until the end of the semester. The outbreak has affected the traditional academic calendar so now students will be returning home earlier than expected to finish the remainder of the semester online. Make sure to contact an advisor or check your school’s website if you’re confused about your new class structure this semester.
Courses will return to normal grading, so it is important to take your classes seriously and stay focused. Some students may make the mistake of prioritizing one part of the course over another. In-person and online are equally important. To make sure you have a successful semester here are some tips to help you navigate:
Self-Care
Make Time for Self-Care, remember this is a learning process! Taking a hybrid course may be a new experience for you, it will take some time to get used to. Things may not go according to plan but making mistakes along the way provides opportunity for improvement. Make sure you are getting enough sleep, eating healthy food, and doing something you enjoy with your free time to ensure you are staying mentally healthy.
Communication
Communicating is Key: Your classmates and professors are a resource to you! Make sure to let those around you know when you are experiencing a difficult time. This can include being unable to focus, lack of internet connection, or even finding a workspace for yourself. You will see that others may be having similar challenges as you, letting your professor know in advance will help them understand how to better accommodate you this semester. If you need advice on how to approach a professor, feel free to review that here.
Keeping up to date with updates
Check course and school updates frequently: Check your emails! Many schools are implementing measures to ensure students are safe this upcoming fall so you need to make sure you’re keeping up to date with updates. Your school may offer COVID-19 testing, free masks, remote tutoring, and pandemic-related counseling, which you can take advantage of to ensure you’re safe and following the CDC guidelines. If you are required to get a test done, you can look for free options in your state here.
Please also note all ISO plans offer 100% coverage for medically necessary testing at an in-network provider, for more information click here.
Stay on top of your school work
Stay on top of your assignments, stay organized, and, if you can, complete your work ahead of time. Time management is one of the toughest skills to acquire while going through college. Though being inside more due to the coronavirus may seem boring, it will allow you a better opportunity to keep on top of your schoolwork and push yourself to become a better student. This isn’t to say the urge to procrastinate will go away . Set simple goals for yourself, create a timeline, and avoid as many distractions as you can to make sure you stay on schedule and ace all your classes this year!
With the ongoing pandemic and classes starting, we understand there may be stresses to deal with as the year goes along. Just know that ISO is here to help you in whatever ways we can. For more help, you can check out this great link from NAFSA, which has tips to help you get through this pandemic, including how to get mental/emotional support and resources to help navigate housing logistics.
