July 12, 2020
No one is having fun taking summer classes while in quarantine. Depending on what your home life is it can’t be that fun. Some people had to go from having tons of space in their dorm room to going back home to not even space to open their textbooks and laptop on the same table. This is a hard time for an enormous amount of students, but especially to the Black students who suffer from low income. If you are looking for ways to beat around the bush and still succeed through classes you can do so by following some of these steps to growing up with OAS (online academic success).
First and foremost, using your school’s library resources can be a big help in finding the materials you will need while being at a distance from your campus. Some campuses have downloadable textbooks from the campus library or a list of sites to go to to get them for free! Secondly is to try and find a new hobby to keep you relaxed and occupied. Everything is closed so you might as well find a way to make it work if you can! Being consumed by schoolwork is not fun. Finding something else to help pass the time can relieve stress, anger, and help you focus. Third, is using a planner to help organize your work. Sometimes it's easier to see all you need to get done on a planner. Plus you can decorate with stickers! Check out Michaels.com or target to find the one that works for you. Fourth, a study location different from what is in your comfort zone can help your focus just like finding a new hobby can, but it all depends on what helps you. Fifth, creating a study group or joining can improve your communication skills with your classmates. You are not alone if online learning is new and everyone needs a helping hand in this tough time. Check your school's social media pages to find chats or use GroupMe.
Remember that you are not alone! This is new ground for all of us, but even the toughest seeds can break through the dirt. Plenty of professors and teachers are trying to be understanding and more lenient to students due to all the transitions and political horrors that have been happening and taking a toll on students, Black students in particular. It can take a toll on many of us and if the world won’t come to our aid, we have to come to it ourselves.
Haeli Ross, Communications Director
UC Santa Barbara
