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This is new for a lot of us. So let's make the most of it.

First, some starters. Keeping up with online courses may require more attention than you expect at first. A few things to keep in mind include:

Know the technology

Canvas and Zoom will be the foundation for most courses being used over the next few weeks across Harvard, so familiarize yourself now.

Keep to a schedule

Whether you’re attending live-streamed classes remotely or watching recordings, it can be useful to make a daily schedule for yourself and stick to it. Even as you set and achieve weekly goals, try dividing your day into 30- and 60-minute increments with specific activities. And don’t forget to give yourself time for breaks to eat, exercise, and socialize, just as if you were on campus. Harvard's Academic Resource Center offers a portfolio of great suggestions and calendaring tools to help you manage your time.

Advocate for yourself

This is a new environment for both you and your professor. Because you’re not meeting face-to-face, the teaching staff might not recognize when you’re struggling – and other students might need the same thing! So when you realize that you need something, don't hesitate: reach out to your instructor and/or teaching fellow. And for technology issues, get in touch with technical support.

Make sure your work is your own

Continue to respect your school's honor code when looking for help on assignments or tests. If needed, talk to your professor to clarify what is and isn’t allowed.

To further assist your remote learning experience, we have collected additional materials on the technology involved, tips for effective remote learning, and ways to get help if technology becomes a challenge.