Hello UTA Parents and Families, 

As the Covid19 virus continues to spread, many colleges and universities across the nation have switched their academic instruction to fully online classes. The University of Texas at Arlington has announced that classes will be held online for the rest of the semester. However, after spending two weeks at home during spring break, many students may have fallen into a routine that will make it easier to procrastinate (as a graduate student, I am guilty of that myself!) Some of them are working more hours, and others have family and home responsibilities to juggle in addition to work and school. 

What could we do to better prepare and stay ahead of our courses? Many students have experience working from home, others have taken courses online in the past. However, many students did not initially sign up for online courses, and so they may not be mentally prepared for the challenges of working from home. 

The advantage of online courses is that learning will become more flexible, and students may experience more free time, which allows them to focus on other things. This newfound freedom is great, but students and families must stay cautious of common issues when balancing family, work, and schoolwork, all while practicing social distancing and addressing health concerns during this outbreak. 

Below are 10 things every student and parent should know about switching to fully online courses. Professors at UTA are working hard to transition their regular courses into fully online experiences. NOTE: there is no perfect, one way to do this, so be aware that each professor will have different expectations and schedules. 

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1. Continue to Treat your Classes as “Real” Courses.

Mavericks: Even though we are now switching to fully online interaction, that does not mean students have an excuse to slack off. Grades still matter! Try to prioritize your studies so that you can be better prepared. Remember that you paid for these courses and that professors are working on making the rest of your semester as meaningful as possible. It’s easy to fall behind, so if you have deadlines, follow through with them and continue to put your best effort into all your assignments.  Procrastination is our biggest challenge to overcome, and Netflix is sometimes too tempting… You must prioritize your schoolwork to finish the semester strong!

How can parents help? Encourage your maverick to care about their courses and continue to work hard. If possible, treat their online courses as if they are still attending on-campus classes. Consider redistributing household responsibilities and chores to foster learning at home.

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2. Time Management is Essential.

Mavericks: Working from home means that many of our responsibilities will start to blend and overlap. Managing your time is the best way to stay ahead. Keeping an agenda or planner is still essential, even when working from home. Establishing a routine has been proven to help people focus and become more productive. Set a schedule that works for you and try to stick to it. It is difficult to stay focused for long periods of time, and so many people practice using timers to stay productive. Don’t forget to set timers for mental and physical breaks! Releasing stress is important, and whatever activity can help you release it can be added to your schedule too.

How can parents help? Although it may not always be feasible, helping your maverick create a schedule and encouraging them to stick to it will aid in their success. Come up with a routine that helps them take care of chores and responsibilities at home but also supports them in balancing school work and deadlines. Parents and students that work as a team are more likely to have higher grades and higher graduation rates. 

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3. Create a Workspace/Study Space and Stay Organized

Mavericks: Although you may not be present on-campus currently, having a physical space to work is essential in helping you focus and stay on top of your courses. Having a quiet area within your home or room that is treated as a “workspace” will allow you to minimize distractions and make a distinction between school and home. Make sure you keep your area clean and organized, as this also aids in focusing and maintaining productivity. 

How can parents help? Families can support students by creating an efficient workspace. Minimizing loud noises and respecting their workspace will encourage them to stay focused even for short amounts of time.

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4. Communicate with Professors

Mavericks: Make sure you use email and technology to stay in touch with your professors. If you are having issues with internet connectivity or technology, if you are feeling symptoms of the virus, or just feeling ill in general, if you have certain disabilities, or if you are simply having personal issues that are keeping you from successfully completing your work, don’t be afraid to ask questions or express concerns as soon as possible. Professors are humans as well and cannot possibly know the personal lives of all their students, especially now that they can’t see them face-to-face. Make sure to keep your communication with them professional, honest, and direct. You’d be surprised how many professors are willing to help you out when you need it.

How can parents help? Encourage your student to communicate regularly with their professors. Help your maverick practice professional communication through proper email etiquette and communication skills. Continue coaching them through accepting constructive criticism from University faculty and staff.

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5. Stay Hydrated and don’t Forget to Eat Healthily

Mavericks: Many people are struggling to maintain a healthy diet during this time, and as a result of unnecessary hoarding, others are experiencing shortages of food and supplies. This is the perfect time for families to come together and learn how to cook meals at home and try new things. Planning meals and preparing them together is a great way to choose healthier alternatives, reserve supplies, and learn new skills. Get creative and try it! You can also support small businesses during this crisis by ordering food via drive-thru or delivery. Make sure to tip your delivery workers well! Oh and please don’t forget to drink water… staying hydrated is necessary for overall health, and as a student, it is pertinent for your mental state. Dehydration is linked to headaches, fatigue, drowsiness, indigestion, and inability to focus. (Coffee is not enough to get you through the day…trust me, I know!)

How can parents help? Make sure students have access to healthy food and water. Sometimes students can get caught up in their studies and simply forget to take care of themselves. Parents and families can encourage and remind students to drink water and eat a wholesome meal!

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6. Stretch and Exercise

Mavericks: Gyms, including the UTA Maverick Activities Center (MAC), are closing due to safety and social distancing policies, but exercise is still extremely important for mental and physical health. Isolation and social distancing do not mean you must stay cooped up inside. Go for a 15-30-minute walk, pick up a new challenge, follow your favorite YouTube or Insta workout guru, or sign up for a workout-at-home program. This is also a great opportunity to pick up yoga or that new workout routine you’ve always wanted to try. Use facetime, or social media outlets to work out with friends and keep each other motivated and accountable.

How can parents help? Join your students in their workout routines! Exercise is great for the entire family and making it a family activity will cement habits that students can benefit from their entire lives. Also, exercise may be a great way for the entire family to release stress after being at home for so long…

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7. Stick to a Healthy Sleep Schedule

Mavericks: Most students tend to struggle with creating a healthy sleep cycle. Staying at home makes it much more difficult, which is why it is imperative that students remember to sleep properly! Don’t stay up all night when tempted, no matter how great that binge-watching session seems. Sleep allows us to heal and strengthen our immune system, which is one of the major ways we can help fight off infections and viruses. It also makes you more productive, allows you to focus, and it is good for mental health, especially during long periods of isolation. According to the CDC, the recommended sleep for college students is 7 or more hours per night. Make sure that you have a set schedule for sleeping.

How can parents help? Encourage your student to create a healthy sleep schedule. According to Sleep Researchers, having a bedtime routine is proven to help with attention, memory, and productivity. That may look different for everyone but communicating with your maverick about their individual needs is essential in establishing habits that will help them succeed. 

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8. Stay Connected with Friends and Family

Mavericks: Isolation and social distancing can be very difficult, resulting in anxiety and depression for many people. If you already struggle with mental illness, isolation can make things worse. Try to stay in touch with family and friends as much as possible during this time. Use technology to your advantage: facetime, meetings, phone calls, workout dates online, group chats, and various social media platforms are perfect ways to stay connected. Reach out to loved ones and friends, they may need it! Also, creating study online sessions can be a great way to relate to classmates that are struggling as well, or to cement the knowledge you are expected to know. 

How can parents help? Continue to take a genuine interest in your students’ experience and practice having meaningful conversations with them. Sometimes talking about issues with loved ones can help resolve inner turmoil and self-doubt. If you don’t feel prepared to talk about certain tough topics with them, encourage them to seek help and use the resources that UTA can offer (listed below.)

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Good luck to all parents, families, and students in the coming weeks! We can do this!

Useful UTA Resources: 

The UTA Health Services continues to observe normal operating hours but asks that you please call ahead (817-272-2771).

UTA Counseling and Psychological Services are now (temporarily) located in the UTA Health Center. Hours of operation are 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Please call ahead at 817-272-3671 to consult with a counselor in planning for your arrival. UTA also has a 24hr Crisis Line (817-272-8255)

UTA Student Emergency Assistance Fund – As a result of the impact and disruption caused by the coronavirus, UTA students with a temporary hardship resulting from a sudden emergency may apply for financial help from the UTA Emergency Assistance Fund. The Emergency Assistance Fund is possible through the generous contributions of supporters.

UTA Food Pantry email (utafoodpantry@gmail.com) and is available to any UTA affiliated-person with a UTA ID.