YouAlberta
Online and in-person learning: the best of both worlds! Maybe I have just been picking up on an unspoken trend amongst arts students, but I’ve recognized that there are many U of A students taking both online and in-person courses. I am a part of this group, and while I am familiar with the many benefits of a hybrid schedule setup, I am just as familiar with the growing pains that come with learning the balancing act of being a part of two very different learning environments.
A hybrid schedule can make you feel as though you are two different students; it is crucial to find the balance between these separate yet interlinked aspects of student life. Part of the gift of online courses is the change in pace and environment they can offer, but this flexibility can become difficult to navigate when you also have in-person classes that are more rigid in structure. Particularly with online, asynchronous courses—with a structure that lends itself to an exercise in time management—organization and routine are crucial.
Being familiar with this setup myself and having heard from other students who are as well, below are my two top tips for navigating this unique learning experience.
Make your own classroom
Getting online coursework done on-campus can be more difficult than it sounds, especially during those awkward times when you need to join a Zoom meeting without feeling like you are disrupting the entire second floor of Rutherford Library South—I speak from experience. My tip is to find the extra quiet spaces within a library, book a study room, or even find an empty classroom. The third floor of the Tory Building is an underrated quiet spot for completing online coursework.
There is something to be said about having a dedicated space for studying, especially when a particular course doesn't have a physical classroom. So…make your own! Last semester I started dedicating a different library to each online course. Not only does this mimic a classroom experience, but it also adds some structure to the days when you need to complete online coursework while on-campus. Associating certain subjects with certain study spots is a great way to get your mind in a productive space. When you can pick anywhere to be your classroom, take this opportunity to explore your campus and find a new favourite study spot that is outside your usual campus route.
Avoid course neglect
It may be slightly redundant, but a student can’t hear it too many times: start assignments early to prevent last-minute worry! Flexible deadlines are, after all, still deadlines even if they seem deceivingly less pressing than others. I’ve also found that many online courses include exams that take place over a period of a few days. In high-pressure times like finals season, working order of deadline-importance can mean that these exams receive lower priority, but starting assignments with extended deadlines sooner than later is always a smart choice.
No matter your program, course load, or course delivery style, there is no exact science to being a student. The methods that work best for you are the ones that you should embrace!