Please visit City Online where you can learn about all of the support methods that The Distance Education Department is offering. You can find the most current information about remote learning at CCSF through their resources.

There are two ways to get help with remote learning:

1. CANVAS related issues or support. Canvas is here to support students with any questions related to using Canvas. You can contact them through the Canvas student support hotline: +1-844-592-2198. You can also visit their Canvas Community Student Support, which is filled with valuable information geared towards students!

   • Please note: CANVAS help can not help you with logging in issues. You may contact the CCSF helpdesk below.

2. CCSF Help Desk can provide help with logging into the MyCCSF Login Portal (RAM ID), CCSF email, and general computer services at CCSF.

Phone: (415) 239-3711 OR

Toll Free (877) 379-2491

Email: helpdesk@ccsf.edu

Designate A Learning Space In Your Home.

When you are taking an online class, the classroom is where you are. It is best to find a location free of distractions. This could be a spare bedroom, the garage, a large closet or your kitchen table. By completing your work in a designated location repeatedly, you’ll begin to establish a routine.

If you only have access to your bedroom, find a small space that you can designate to completing school work. Studying in your bed can be counterproductive, since your brain has been conditioned to associate your bed with sleep. Avoid using frequently occupied spaces like your family room or your living room.

Your space needs to have enough room for you to also take notes, either on your computer or by hand. Try your best to make sure that the space you are using to learn is comfortable with a desk or table, an upright chair and always make sure that there is plenty of light. Having an electric outlet nearby to keep your device charged while logged in to the class is recommended.

Ensure that you have reliable access to the internet. If you are experiencing unstable internet with many interruptions in service, please reach out to your instructor as soon as possible. It is important that they are aware of your challenges, especially if it is impacting your ability to review content or turn in assignments. They can also find ways to troubleshoot with you!

Please review the Low Cost and Free Internet Access available to students during the COVID-19 pandemic.

While settling into remote learning, time management is important. If your lifestyle allows, create a schedule for being in the online classroom, studying and submitting assignments - by the due dates. Try to set aside specific time where you will focus only on your studies, which includes “live” online times, independent work/study time, and breaks.

Set A Schedule For Yourself And Stick To It.

To keep up with your online coursework, you will need to find ways to schedule time to focus on your classes. The best way to go about this is to set aside the same time of the day, or week, during which you will review course content and complete your course assignments. Many students simply say, "I will study later when I have time," but the challenge with that thinking, is that often times we get busy with other things and study time is not a priority. The study time ends up not happening, or you find yourself cramming.

When you designate specific time towards your academics, you minimize the likelihood of procrastinating - putting off something that you can get done now. Another benefit to creating a schedule is that it minimizes any unnecessary worry or anxiety about "when" you will get your work done. With a schedule, you know exactly when things will get done and you do not need to worry!

Designate certain hours each week to reading, watching lectures or videos, completing assignments, studying and participating in discussion forums. These hours can be added into an online calendar and will help keep you organized. Staying organized helps you focus on the task at hand and helps to ensure that future tasks will also be completed.

A few great apps to use to stay organized are Google Calendar, Outlook Calendar or Trello. These apps sync to all devices so you can set up your daily, weekly or monthly schedule with reminders and never miss a deadline again. If you do not have access to these, then you can use the calendar on your phone or the calendar in your Canvas account. All your CANVAS classes have calendars. Review the How to Use A Calendar in CANVAS and learn how this tool can help you stay organized!

Set reminders for yourself to complete tasks. These reminders can be set within your online calendar or through your phones. Reminders are a great way to stay on task and remain committed to the time you set aside for studying.

If possible, keep a routine. Get up at the same time each day. Try to schedule time to focus on your academics during the hours that you are most alert. Some people are most alerts in the mornings, others focus better at night when the house is quiet. Routines can help maintain a sense of normalcy and efficiency.

It is vital that you are in contact with your instructor on a regular basis. You can contact your instructor about anything related to the class, such as clarification on assignments or questions about course expectations or course materials. You can also seek out support with other classmates. If you need academic assistance, you can access online tutoring.

Below are some suggestions for accessing academic support:

• Reach out to your Instructor. Ask if they prefer emails through the Canvas inbox or their professional emails.

• If you want to travel deeper into the world of Canvas, enroll in our Passport to Canvas Class. Pack your bags for a thorough journey which will help you learn about using Canvas as a student. At each passport stop, you will collect a badge (passport stamp). You can choose to begin your journey at the very first passport office, or you may choose to pick a different spot to begin your exploration!

• Access FREE online tutoring through NetTutor

• Ask your instructor to help you with setting up a virtual study group.

It is important to over communicate once your education has moved 100% online. Here are four tips that will help guide you when reaching out to others:

• When emailing your instructor remember to address them with a level of respect. If you are not sure what your instructor prefers, simply ask!

• Always write in complete sentences, try to catch any grammatical errors before sending it out and do not write your emails as though they are a text.

• Plan to send more emails, Pronto texts or make calls to instructors, as needed. Do not be afraid to ask for clarification on assignments or help with submitting assignments. Your instructor will be happy to help.

• Let patience and kindness guide most of your interactions with classmates and instructors. Afford your classmates and your instructors the same respect you would when communicating in person.

Motivation is the driving force that keeps us pushing forward!

Sustaining motivation can be challenging , especially in the middle of a crisis. You might also have a lot of standing obligations that take up a huge part of your day. Below are a few tips to learn where your motivation comes from and how to use your motivator(s) to keep moving forward:

1. Ask yourself, "What motivates me to be a college student?" Once you discover what that is, find an image, song, quote, etc that you can post in your workspace, on your textbook or computer, to remind you why you are doing what you are doing. For example, are you getting an education to be a role model for someone else? To create a better life for you or someone else? To gain knowledge?

   • You can use these motivators on the days and times you are struggling to keep up. Remember, there is a bigger reason you started this journey. You can and will succeed.

2. Try to write down 2-3 short term and 2-3 long term goals. Post your goals on your bedroom wall, next to your computer or tablet, in your bathroom, on your window or maybe on your refrigerator. Seeing your goals daily can be quite empowering because it reminds us why we are working so hard.

3. Write down two motivational messages to yourself that start with "I am______" . A few examples could be "I am worth it", "I am strong", "I am capable", "I deserve this", "I got this." Add these messages to your short and long term goals that you hang up.

Let's talk about studying smarter, not harder! Everyone learns differently. Some people prefer learning visually, others through listening. Some students prefer learning through reading. A large number of students are hands-on learners. While we are all learning through a new shelter-in-place learning environment, it is even more important to find methods to help you focus and take in new information.

Below are some tips to help you learn how to study more effectively.

1. If it is hard for you to sit and listen to a lecture try to find creative ways to keep your mind active.

   • You can take notes while listening. If the video or lecture is recorded, you can pause and write down what you are learning.

   • You can try taking a walk with earbuds and listening.

   • You can take small breaks. If the video or lecture is 20 minutes long, take a 2-minute break halfway through.

2. Try to limit your time with social media during the hours of study. You can always set up a reward system. For example, "I will go on social media once I have logged into Canvas, checked my email and completed one assignment".

Use the schedule you created to specifically focus on school work. Stay focused and attentive by avoiding distractions like social media, housework, pets, watching T.V. or playing video games. I f possible, ask friends, family or roommates to support you by not bothering you during certain times. If you have kids, well, that is a little more difficult :) Try posting fun images or signs that let your kiddos know, it is study time for you. Perhaps they get a special show , snack or sticker for not bothering you for a certain amount of time.

Chatting with classmates can be a great way to maintain social interaction while there are widespread closures. Learning online is all about finding a way to balance your time, responsibilities and maximize focus. Be mindful of letting chatting or texting interfere with completing your work.

Schedule regular breaks throughout your day. Online classes can involve a lot of screen time. It includes communicating with your instructor, watching videos or lectures, reading materials online and completing your assignments. All of these are done on a screen. It is important to take breaks.

The American Optometric Association recommends the 20/20/20 rule. Take a 20 second break, every 20 minutes and look at something 20 feet away that is not a screen. Taking breaks is essential to being able to withstand online learning for the long haul.

Food is what gives your brain fuel. Eating consistent and regular meals is a very important part of college success. Try to avoid a lot of sugar and caffeine as that will give you a rush of energy and then you will crash fast. Instead, try to eat a bit of protein, healthy fats, vegetables and some fruit. This gives you energy that lasts throughout the day. When our bodies do not have proper nutrition, it impacts our ability to focus and learn.

Another huge part of a well balanced diet is water. Staying hydrated is an incredibly important part of staying alert, healthy and focused. Try to drink at least 2-4 glasses a day so that you get into a habit of drinking water. If you are not a fan of tap water you can always drink sparkling water or add lime or lemon to your water.

If you are having trouble affording groceries you can try to apply for SNAP or CalFresh which is for people with low-income who meet federal income eligibility rules and want to add to their budget to put healthy and nutritious food on the table. If interested you can see if you are eligible and apply for SNAP, the application only takes 10 minutes.

During these challenging times, feeling many mixed emotions and dealing with increased stress is common. However, it is important not to avoid or ignore what you are feeling or experiencing. The Student Health Center is happy to provide as much care as possible over the phone. They are offering remote Medical and Mental Health Remote Support. They will discuss treatment options with you by phone and the pros and cons involved and then come up with a plan together.

Please go directly to the Student Health Center's webpage to sign up for a confidential session through the Student Portal. You can also complete this Registry Form if you would like a Mental Health Worker contact you.