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Academic Resources
Managing your Academics Amid COVID-19
You may be experiencing a high degree of stress and confusion right now as the university transitioned to an online format. This is natural but it is important to know that NAU Yuma has resources to support you. Below we outline resources & concepts that will help you navigate this transition.
Resources Available Accordion Closed
As your course shift from in-person to online, there may be some issues that you need clarification on. NAU Yuma has resources to support you in this transition.
· Peer Mentor: Peer mentors can schedule one-on-one online meetings to help you navigate course changes and help you develop a coherent strategy for achieving your academic goals. As they are students themselves, they will understand the challenges you are facing, but will also be able to use their expertise to clarify lingering questions you may have. Email: NAUYumaSuccessCenter@nau.edu today!
· Academic Success Coordinator: Rosa Corona (rosa.corona@nau.edu) can schedule a one-on-one online meeting to assist you in adjusting your study habits.
You don’t have to do this alone, reach out and make an appointment!
· 1:1 Tutoring: Struggling in a Math or Science course? We offer free tutoring. Email NAUYumaSuccessCenter@nau.edu to schedule an appointment.
· Supplemental Instruction for Nursing Students – PathoPharm Course (Fall & Spring Semesters): Meet remotely with other 1st & 2nd semester nursing students and a Supplemental Instruction tutor each week to collectively work through course material. Send email to NAUYumaSuccessCenter@nau.edu to get a schedule of meeting times.
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Be sure to check your Blackboard Lean course shell and look for updates from your professor. Remember, professors will be adapting their classes to online instruction in a variety of ways. It is important to figure out how each of your classes will function.
Determine the following for each class:
- Will you need to log into an online session at a specific time? Or, will the professor be posting materials for students to reach/watch on their own time.
- How area assignments submitted?
- How is your professor handling quizzes and exams?
- What is the best way to ask questions? Is there an online forum or virtual office hours?
| Make a diagram for each class with the following Information · Important dates · Preferred communication links · NAU-Yuma support for class | |||
| Example: | |||
| NUR 371 | NUR 225: 225L | NUR 330 | |
| Course Format/Time | Online lectures: M/W/ @ 9am-11 am Participate in BBLearn Discussions in shell | 225. Online lectures: T/TH @ 10-12PM Discussions in shell 225L Skills lab F @ 8am-12pm | Online lectures: W @ 11am – 1pm Participate in BBLearn Discussion in shell |
| Key Dates | Quiz Friday; Exam 10/1 | Skills check offs: 11/18 | Quiz Wed; exam 10/5 |
| Important Links | Discussion link: Lecture link: | Discussion link: Lecture link: | Discussion link: Lecture link: |
| NAU Support | SI session every Wed @ 2:30pm online | SI every Thursday @ 4:15pm | SI by appt.: M 8am-10:30am |
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As your normal routine has changed, it is important to give your new academic experience some structure. Set up a new routine: Without your normal classes and social schedule, you will want to keep motivated and organized. If you don’t already have a weekly or daily calendar, use a time management system like the one below. Be sure to include time for exercise and self-care.
Weekly Time Management Planner
| Hours | MON | TUE | WED | THUR | FRI | SAT | SUN |
| 7–8 am | Breakfast | Breakfast | Breakfast | Breakfast | Breakfast | ||
| 8-9 am | Read NUR 371 Chap 2-4 | Exercise | NUR 330 project | Exercise | NUR 225L | Breakfast | |
| 9–10 am | NUR 371 | Read NUR 225 homework | NUR 371 | NUR 371 homework | NUR 225L | Facetime w/Friend | |
| 10-11 am | NUR 371 | NUR 225 | NUR 371 | NUR 225 | NUR 225L | Work on | |
| 11am-12pm | Exercise | NUR 225 | NUR 330 | NUR 225 | NUR 225L | NUR 300 assignment | |
| 12-1pm | Lunch | Lunch | NUR 330 | Lunch | Lunch | Lunch |
Studying Effectively
Be aware that you may have to alter your study habits as a result of the shift to online instruction. Depending on your location, coffee shops and other public places may no longer be options.
| Create a Study Spot · Designate a study spot in your home. Maybe switch spots throughout the day or for each class. Try studying in a chair with good posture rather than a bed or couch, which can lead to fatigue and distractions. · If you are used to background noise, consider listening to instrumental music or download a white noise app.
| Navigating Video Lectures If your professor posts video lectures, there are some important steps to help you follow along. · Take notes throughout. This will help you maintain focus while generating a written record of key points to study. These notes can be hand-written or on your computer. · Close other distracting tabs. Avoid social media. · Be patient, this may be a new process for your professor. |
Stay Focused
If you procrastinate, set goals for each study session.
| · Example: instead of just saying “I’m going to study for NUR 330,” say “I am going to study the slides for chapter 5.” This will give you a clear objective to work toward and offer a sense of urgency. If doing group work over an online platform, set an agenda beforehand and take notes in a shared doc. · If working on a project, be sure to have clear action items for each participant by the end of the session. · To avoid procrastination, meet regularly to maintain momentum. Have a routine group-chat check-in and schedule weekly meetings Avoid multi-tasking · Many people think they are effective multi-taskers, but in reality, this not the case. Watching something on your phone or computer while completing homework undermines your ability to effectively process information. | · You are diluting both experiences. Your homework will take longer to finish, because you are unable to reach a level of deep focus, and you won’t really be able to follow the show you are watching. Instead focus on one task at a time and take breaks. Try the “intense study session” format · Choose a goal for the session · Put away distractions and focus on studying for 30-50 minutes. · Reward yourself for 10-15 minutes (example: schedule a videocall with a friend) · Review the material for 5 minutes
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Although we need to limit face-to-face contact with others, it is still critical to maintain connections with professors as well as family and friends. It is also important to balance your coursework with hobbies and exercises
| Schedule Video Calls with Friends and Family: · If you need a break, call someone. Talking to others can offer a respite from school pressures and connect you to a larger community going through many of the same experiences you are. Organize an exercise routine: · Use technology to find exercise routines you can do from the comfort of your home, such as yoga and cardio classes.
| Set goals and reward yourself: · Have an open mind and try to make this a period of personal growth. Maybe this is the time to play the neglected instrument sitting in your closet or to start a project you’ve been putting off. · Keep up with your studies but also set aside time to read a book or watch a television series you’ve heard good things about. · Use social media to forge community. Invite friends to be part of your routine, such as an online book club or watching party, so you can share experience. |
Yuma Student Success Services
The AVID Student Success Center provides a variety of support services to help you succeed throughout your educational journey at NAU-Yuma.
Tutoring is available by appointment in the following subject areas: math, science, language arts, and social studies.
Mentors are available in the AVID Student Success Center to support you with post-secondary strategies for your academic success.
Other resources include: computer and printer access, individual and group study areas, appointment scheduling, Student Success Workshops available, student identification support, career resources, and much more.
Resources available to NAU-Yuma students
AVID Student Success Center Accordion Closed
The AVID Center provides a variety of support services to help you to succeed throughout your educational journey at NAU-Yuma. Tutoring is available in the following subjects: math, science, language arts, and social studies. Mentors are available in the AVID Student Success Center to support you with post secondary strategies for your academic success.
Other resources include: computer and printer access, individual and group study area, appointment scheduling, Student Success Planning.
Writing Center Accordion Closed
The NAU-Yuma Writing Center offers free academic writing support to NAU students during all stages of the writing process, from understanding a writing assignment and citing sources to polishing a draft. Help is also offered in the areas of grammar and punctuation, reading comprehension, Kaplan reading and writing test prep, and more.
Due to COVID, all appointments are currently being conducted by email or Zoom. To make an appointment, send an email request to NAUYuma.WritingCenter@nau.edu. Please choose a day and time from the schedule below, indicate whether you want a Zoom or email appointment, and include a phone number where you can be reached. Emails will be answered during regular hours of operation.
Hours of Operation: Monday, Tuesday, Thursday & Friday from 1:30 to 6:00 PM
Additional appointment times are available by request for students who work or attend classes during regular hours.
Writing Center consultants provide tools and strategies to help students improve their own papers; however, consultants do not proofread, edit, or revise students’ papers. Students and faculty should be aware that not all of a student’s writing issues can be addressed during a one-hour writing consultation. Consultants may recommend follow-up appointments in order to help students strengthen writing skills over a reasonable period of time.
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Assessment Center – Assessment in the content areas is a required element of the AWC/NAU articulated degree programs. These data will help target course instruction in the areas you need to focus on and help determine any support services you may need.
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Student Success Appointments are available to support student with their academic needs. Students can co-construct their Student Success Plan with NAU-Yuma Student Success Coordinator who provides them with career and academic support for their individual success needs. Case managers work closely with the Student Service Center, Academic Advisors, and Faculty Mentors to support student through completion of graduation.
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The University Advising team’s purpose is to guide and support students as they progress through their academic careers. Advisors assist with academic plan and sub-plan selection, course selection and sequencing, resource and tool referral, enrollment, policy interpretation, and coach students through their academic requirements and challenges. The NAU academic advising philosophy combines intrusive and appreciative advising. Using various academic advising strategies, advisors promote student growth in establishing and attaining near and long-term goals, teach and model problem solving, and help students appreciate their strengths and address their weaknesses.
The NAU Yuma Advising Center is located inside the Academic Complex (AC) Building in office 213, next to the Student Success Center.
Current NAU students can schedule an appointment with their assigned academic advisor at appointments.nau.edu/academic-advising or call 928-317-6432.
English Language Development Center Accordion Closed
The ELD Center offers online instruction in grammar, vocabulary, idiomatic expressions, and pronunciation.