Friday, March 27, 2020

"Help, I'm in my first online class and I don't know what to do!"


There are basically two approaches to online courses, and you will need to determine how your professors plan to proceed. 


Synchronous courses have an element – maybe a weekly video lecture, maybe a group video or chat (messenger) discussion – where you have to log in to participate at a certain time for a certain amount of time.

Asynchronous courses DO NOT require that you ‘show up’ at a certain time.

NOTE that both kinds of courses will have deadlines of some sort. For example, in my own classes this Spring 2020 semester, all course sections are asynchronous so students don’t have to ‘show up’ at any given times but there ARE deadlines for all course work that they will be expected to meet week-to-week. (When they do their work WITHIN a week is up to them.)

"Online class" does not mean "anything goes."

If you have had to transition to "all online" due to the COVID-19 pandemic, your professors should have already let you know how they are going to proceed, either by releasing a formal updated syllabus or calendar, or perhaps letting you know by email or via an announcement on Blackboard (or whatever learning system your university uses). If you have any confusion or have not heard from a professor, don’t be shy about contacting them first!

For some tips on succeeding in online classes from an actual (current) student, I recommend this video:


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If you are a UTRGV student, this post will be updated continuously with information and helpful tips specific to UTRGV as such information becomes available -- so, check back often!


Learning Center – online tutoring ongoing here

Writing Center – online synchronous tutoring AND asynchronous feedback available here

Counseling Center – don't get overwhelmed!! Online counseling sessions available; more info here

Student Health Services – open in both EDN and BRW 8a to 5p; 24 Hour Nurse Advise Line at (855) 810-4457

U Central – Zoom appointments available for students with Financial Aid and other U Central-aligned departments – email U Central or call (888) 882-4026

Remember, U Central can assist you with questions/problems related to:

  • Financial Aid
  • Registration/student records
  • Bursar (money owed to UTRGV)
  • Academic advising

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"Help, I'm in my first online class and I don't know what to do!"

There are basically two approaches to online courses, and you will need to determine how your professors plan to proceed.  Synchronou...