One Student’s Advice for Prospective Students

“What advice would you give a prospective student”?

Erica Lehotzky, Computer Science, United States:

1) Understand that even though courses are online and you don’t have to commit to regular weekly lectures, these are still college-level courses through an accredited university! Before you enroll, make sure you can commit the time for readings and assignments. Which leads us to….

2) It might be obvious, but time management is huge! Especially for UoPeople students, as many of us are holding down a full-time job or other activities. Try to get your work done by the end of the weekend so you aren’t stressed and anxious about it throughout the week. It also gives you more time to talk with your professor if you’re having trouble.

3) Take advantage of the optional orientation period. It really helps you get used to using Moodle, so you can focus on class work in your first term rather than navigating the system.

4) One of the perks of UoPeople is the global nature of the university – get to know other students! Reach out to other students in your classes, or join the Yammer or Slack groups. I’ve met some great people all over the world that way. Forming relationships with your peers makes it feel more like a typical university environment.

5) Plan your classes 1-2 terms in advance. I like to pair an easier elective with a class I feel will be more challenging, and proper planning will make sure you’ve fulfilled the prerequisites you need for future courses. I use a printout of the University Catalog and highlight classes as I take them, as well as checking off how many more electives I need for each area (Humanities, Social and Behavior Sciences, and Natural Sciences and Technology).

6) Be patient. Your Program Adviser is your – and hundreds of other students’ – go-to for everything UoPeople related. It might take some time for them to respond, but in real emergencies (Proctor approvals, final exam issues, registration, etc.) I’ve always received a quick reply. For anything more general, try looking in the Student Handbook or go to Yammer to ask other students if you want an immediate answer.

7) You’re only required to assess 3-4 Discussion Forum posts each week, but make it a point to read through all of them. They’re not meant to be another assignment to check off your weekly to-do list; if you’re using them correctly, the discussion boards can be a huge help in supplementing your weekly readings. By having the main concepts explained several different ways, it helps solidify your understanding.

8) Reach out to your professors if you have questions! They work on a mostly volunteer basis and are happy to explain concepts or point out additional resources. Some have even offered online office hours where they’ll go through any questions you have from that week’s reading (huge thank you to Mr. Hays of MATH 1201, who would even post videos to YouTube if you couldn’t make the office hours). We’re lucky to have so many instructors here who are passionate about the subjects they teach, and in many ways, I feel like I’ve had more “face time” with my professors at UoPeople than I did when studying at a traditional university.

9) When studying, find a quiet space and close out as many distractions as possible. Fight the urge to leave your email/Facebook/Slack windows open, and put your phone on silent and out of sight. You’ll be amazed how much more you can get done when you aren’t checking social media every few minutes.

10) Beware of burnout! If you feel like you aren’t doing anything but work/school/family commitments, reassess how efficiently you’re studying (see #9). Schedule at least one day a week as a break where you relax and recharge with friends or by doing hobbies you enjoy. If you’re still feeling overwhelmed, contact your Program Adviser or a mentor for advice.

Sincerely,

Erica Lehotzky