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The switch from fully-online to in-person or partially in-person learning may seem daunting, so one of our PMC Coordinators, Amanda Blais (Senior Disability Learning Support Coordinator), put together a few tips to help manage the transition.
Preparing for Class
Not much should change in the way you prepare for your lectures. Whether it’s online or in-person it’s important to PREVIEW what is coming, or what you think will happen, to get your notes organized.
What does “Preview Before Class” mean?
- Skim the chapter;
- note headings and words in bold or italics;
- take a look at figures or charts;
- review chapter objectives and chapter summaries;
- think of questions you’d like the lecture to answer for you.
Attendance is KEY
For some students, it will feel natural to get back into an in-person classroom, listening to lectures and taking notes. For others, it could be your first experience in a university setting. Either way, expect some changes from what you have experienced in the past.
- Download the CUMobile App, so you can find your schedule and access the Campus Map. Be sure to figure out where you need to go and try to get to campus at least 15-30 minutes before class starts.
- Become familiar with COVID safety protocol on campus and the Safe Return to Campus plan. Everyone must complete the COVID-19 Screening prior to each visit to campus, and check-in to any building that you will be staying in for more than 15 minutes.
- Masks and social distance are required. Your professors will be wearing masks as well, which may make it harder to hear them. Try to get arrive early, so you can get a seat that is closer to the front of the class.
Notetaking
Those who have taken Synchronous Courses will be familiar with taking notes, in live-time, while the professor speaks. However, those who have taken primarily Asynchronous courses may find it to be an adjustment knowing what to write down in the moment.
Be metacognitive, actively filtering and organizing the information in your lecture. You don’t need to write down information that you already know.
During your lectures, this means keeping up a running commentary in your head saying, “I know that, I know that, I DON’T know this, but it’s like when…” Not only will this keep you active and engaged, but it also reduces the amount of notes you have to sift through to study for tests and exams, and helps you spend your time and energy on the information you do need to learn (Smith-Chant, n.d.).
For more study and learning tips, and to find out how the tips included here fit into larger study habits, check out the Notetaking Modules on Brightspace, which are a part of the PMC MORE Modules.