Spring 2022 - OAR Newsletter - Week 1

Dear Friends,

Pace and grace. That is our mantra this semester. It's been a hard couple of years ripe with challenges and uncertainty at the micro and macro levels of our lives. I don't know about you, but it feels like every time there is a glimmer of hope we end up right back where we started. However, don't lose heart. The reality is that where you are today is steps ahead from yesterday. Slow incremental progress is still progress. We are moving forward. Together. You We got this. Allow yourself grace; don't be hard on yourself. The fact that you're prepared and ready for a new semester is a testament to your will, resilience, and strength. No need to sprint: slow and steady will finish the race (don't worry about winning). Let's take this semester in stride, one slow and steady step at a time. And, we'll be here for you every step of the way.

In this Spring Welcome Back issue, please find some resources and suggestions to help you feel more in control of your time and get a heads-up on what to expect academically for the rest of the semester.

Cheering you on every step of the way,

Brian

Time Management Tools

Advising Google Calendar
Add this Google calendar to keep track of important semester deadlines, such as the P/F request deadline, pre-registration, and finals period. 
 

Spring 2022 Semester Planner
Tips for using this planner:

• Add major assignments listed on your syllabi. (Visit Moodle for posted syllabi.)

• Color-code assignments by course.

• Check regularly to plan ahead for busy weeks.

Prefer paper? Pick up a copy of the Semester Calendar at the OAR Office lounge (Stokes 118). 
 

Weekly Planner
How to use this planner:

1. Add obligations - classes, work schedule, sports practice/games, etc. 

2. Add wellness activities - wake-up & bedtime, meals, time with friends, exercise, wellness meetings, spiritual practices, extracurricular activities.

3. Block out study times in the remaining open spaces. 

Pro Tip: As much as your obligations allow, try to approach your academics like a 9-5 job. This helps create boundaries with your time and reserves evenings for non-academic activities such as chores, socializing, winding down, and getting ready for bed.

Scheduling an Academic Coaching Meeting

Meet with an OAR academic coach to discuss your academic goals and collaboratively develop a plan to help you reach those goals. Topics of discussion can include, but are not limited to: time management, imposter syndrome, semester mapping, goal setting, reading strategies, note-taking, test-taking,/prep, and test anxiety.

Blueprinting Your Semester

Check out this short video on how to use your syllabus to create a study plan for your course. 

Online Learning Refresher Tips

During the first week of classes, faculty have the option of conducting their courses online. Here are some "refresher" tips for online learning:

1. Check the course information to see if your professor will hold class in person or online during the first week. This information may be posted on Moodle or in an email from your professor. Check to see if and when class sessions, labs, office hours, and assessments will be held online.

2. Learn your professor's expectations for attendance (e.g., video/sound on or off) and class participation online. Your professor may outline these expectations during the first class and/or on the syllabus. 

3. Limit distractions. Distractions abound online. Turn off your phone, close unrelated tabs, and disable notifications on your computer before class starts. 

4. Find a quiet, distraction-free space to attend class. Organize your desk so that you can focus on the lecture and take notes. If your room isn't an option, find (or reserve) a study room in Lutnick or White Library or the OAR. 

5. Ask your professor if they will be recording online class sessions. Rewatch the recording at a later time to fill any gaps in your notes or to review the material, which can be especially helpful if you are an auditory learner. However, don't rely on recordings as a replacement for attending synchronous class sessions.

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