Preparing for Learning During Disruption

Stay Connected

  • Check your Allegheny email account and your Canvas course(s) for specific instructions from your instructor. Checking your email is important even under normal circumstances, but it’s doubly important if your professor moves online. Reading announcements and other notifications is crucial to having a successful online experience. Log in regularly, not once or twice a week. 
  • Remain engaged and communicate. If you aren’t sure how best to participate or communicate with your instructor, contact for clarification.  If your class is switching modes midway through the semester, being confused is understandable. Don’t be afraid to ask for help! Take advantage of any online or in-person office hours offered.

Familiarize yourself with the tools you will need 

  • Ensure you have access to the Internet, either at home or a publicly available hotspot. The College is asking students who have concerns about accessing the internet from home to complete this form requesting permission to be on campus. 
  • Ensure you have access to a computer (updated to the latest operating system) or a mobile device. The College is asking students who do not own a suitable personal computer to complete this form requesting permission to be on campus. This device will need to include:
    • Audio – At a minimum, ensure you have speakers and a microphone; however, we recommend a headset or earbuds (with mic).
    • Video – Ensure you have a webcam, either built into your computer (almost all laptops have them now) or a USB webcam
  • Review steps for joining a Google Meet.
  • Make sure you know how to access Library Resources from off campus.  This guide helps navigate the resources available to you through LITS.

Help with Research  

  • Research librarians will be available to help with your research.  They will be using Google Meet. To schedule an appointment, go to the Research Assistance page.  Remember we need a 24-hour notice to schedule a meeting, and please tell them about your topic when you sign up.  Remember to use your @allegheny.edu account when setting up an appointment.
  • Ask Us Chat will be available for simple questions and answers, such as citation formats.

General Guidelines

  • Have a schedule.  Manage your time wisely and remain engaged. Preview and review for every lesson, attend in person/virtual class sessions, and take notes. Just because you can rewatch a video or look at slides online doesn’t mean you shouldn’t take notes. Otherwise, you’ll just be re-reading or rewatching a lot, which isn’t a very effective learning technique. 
  • Stay organized; pick a regular time to “go to” class and stick with it. Just as you would if you were in person, minimize distraction by turning on “Do Not Disturb”, refraining from social media and multitasking, etc. Pick a particular space, if possible, that will be your “remote classroom.” To the extent possible, remove distractions from your learning space.
  • Take care of yourself. Stay healthy by getting adequate rest, nutrition and exercise. Use positive self-talk to reduce anxiety. Schedule time to take care of yourself and spend time with your friends, family, and pets.
  • Don’t be afraid to ask for help. Your instructor will have fewer “clues” about whether you understand if you aren’t meeting in person. It’s vital for you to contact your instructor if something doesn’t make sense.