Tips for Students for Learning

Surviving Finals

Tips for Learning

Here are tips to help you be successful while learning.

Communicate Often

  • Check your Allegheny email account multiple times each day.
  • Reach out to your instructors. Sign up for office hours. If you aren’t sure how best to participate in the remote classroom, contact your instructor for clarification.
  • Check Canvas or Google Classroom for specific instructions from your course instructor. Reading announcements and other notifications is crucial to having a successful online experience. Log in regularly, not once or twice a week. 
  • Please realize that your instructor may not be able to respond immediately. Be patient, but follow up.

Technology for Learning

Info
Ways that you (and your students) can connect with Librarians for help are summarized on the Research Assistance page including the Ask Us Chat now available Monday-Friday 10am-4pm.

Access to Electronic Resources (books, journal articles)

  • To find electronic copies of books and journal articles, use the new search boxes on the ITS search tools page that search for only these items.
  • Requests for digital copies of journal articles the College does not own are still being fulfilled whenever possible.
  • Patrons can access help finding electronic resources by using the tools on ITS’ research assistance page.

Stay Organized

  • Take the time to put together the schedule and expectations for each of your classes. See Goal Setting resources.
  • Prioritize your work. 
  • Begin assignments early. Ask for help often.
  • Decide how best to spend your time. See Time Management resources.

Take Care of Yourself

  • Stay healthy by getting adequate rest, nutrition and exercise. 
  • Keep a growth mindset as you adapt to new circumstances. Your success has as much to do with your effort as it has to do with your ability.
  • Monitor your self-talk and stay positive.

Manage Your Environment

  • Schedule specific times in your day to dedicate to studying or participating in your classes. 
  • Consider using the “Do Not Disturb” function on your devices or a lockdown browser on your computer when you are trying to manage distraction.
  • Find a space that is comfortable and allows you to focus. This can be your home base for coursework.

Stay Engaged

  • Communicate regularly with your instructors, support personnel, advisors, coaches, etc.
  • Call, text, and message friends, family and classmates.
  • Check the Allegheny website for news and updates.

Ask for Help