You must be aware of the differences between face-to-face study and taking a course online. Here are some general tips and guidelines to help you complete your courses successfully. We hope you find these tips useful, as they are built on the experiences of faculty and students at AUC as well as good practices from all over the world.
Common Student Challenges
“Learn from yesterday. Live for today. Hope for tomorrow. ” – Albert Einstein
1. Staying Motivated
2. Maintaining Focus
3. Managing Workload
4. Internet Connectivity
5. Screen Time Fatigue
6. Lack of Social Interaction
Tips from Students to Students
Based on personal experience of AUC students
Managing your Time
| Create a realistic to-do list and set timed breaks |
| Keep a handy schedule of your weekly deadlines and tests |
| Wake up early for a fresh start |
| Study or revise after every class or two |
| Start assignments many days before the due date (will save lots of time and stress later on |
Useful Resource: Time Management for Online Learning
Looking after your Wellbeing
| Purposefully take time to do something you like such as reading, playing music, exercising...whatever it is, ENJOY it! |
| Get a good night sleep |
| Stay positive |
| Practice self-forgiveness for unproductive stints |
| Have some healthy snacks handy |
| Maintain contact with peers and friends |
Useful Resource: Center for Student WellBeing
Staying Engaged
| Turn your camera on in class because it helps keep you focused |
| Take notes during class time |
| Participate in and initiate discussions |
| Email professors with questions |
| Stay in contact with the TA |
| Prepare ahead of the class |
Useful Resource: Effective Note Taking
Managing Distractions
| Distinguish between workspaces and spaces for relaxing at home |
| Attend the class alone (in a quiet room) and not with friends, this makes you focus so much better |
| Silent your phone and keep it out of your reach during class time |
Useful Resource: How To Stay Focused and Avoid Distractions in Online Classes
Super Tips
| Set little attainable goals for yourself (it helps to feel like you've accomplished something) |
| Wake up at least 30 minutes before class time |
| Don't stress yourself out, enjoy it while it lasts |
| Accept the ups and downs of a socially distanced life |
| Secure a strong Internet connection ahead of time |
Hear from our students
When I leave my phone out of the room and attend the zoom class without my phone in the room, it just helps me a lot to focus and not get distracted easily.
Logine Hany
Senior, Business Administration
Trust in yourself, start the work right away don’t wait for perfect conditions and take a 5 minute break every 30-40 mins.
Yasser Elsarrag
Graduating Senior, Construction Engineering
Assertively seek social and academic engagement.
Frank J Tontala III
First-Year Masters Student, TESOL
Resources
