Adjusting to Online Learning

Adapting to online learning requires some adjustments in many facets of your life. Challenges and opportunities will present themselves to you as you navigate your online course or program. Please review this page to help you plan your online learning journey. 

Work-Life Balance

Maintaining a work-life balance as an online student can present interesting challenges and opportunities. As you navigate your online course or online program, keep the following concepts and ideas in mind and do your best to plan a schedule that fits your needs as a human being and as a student. 

Work-Life Balance

Life

Activities

Academic Responsibilities
Health & Welfare
  • Sleep Schedule
  • Exercise
  • Diet - Remembering to eat and get plenty of fluids
  • Hobbies
  • Mental Health Breaks
  • Etc.
Family & Social Contact
  • Stay in touch with family and friends
  • Build a support network with other students in your online course or program 
Other Responsibilities
  • Chores, running errands, work, etc

Communicate through Writing

  • Think your ideas through before responding. Meaningful, quality input into your assignments is an essential part of the learning process.
  • Also, be willing to “speak up” if problems arise. Many non-verbal cues (e.g. confusion, frustration, absenteeism, etc.) a professor or instructor can pick up in class are more challenging to detect in the online paradigm. If you are experiencing an issue, communicate with your professor or instructor immediately. Otherwise, he or she may never know or could be unnecessarily delayed with the help they can offer you.
  • When contacting your professor or instructor, be mindful of when you email or contact them via Canvas. Right before an assignment is due or late at night isn’t the best time. In addition, be patient when waiting for a response.

Stay Connected

  • Maintain connections and a support network with family, friends, roommates, and study groups. Being an online student can feel isolating sometimes, so take proactive steps to maintain those connections.

Do Not Fall Behind

  • Online learning requires commitment on your part. Stay engaged with your courses. Log into GEM email and Canvas every day. Stay on task, and keep up with the assignment due date schedule in each course. Do not fall behind in a course. If you fall behind, it will be difficult to catch up. 

Help is Available!

Help is available to all students at Jacksonville State University. As an online student, you have access to several resources:

  • 24/7 Online Help from Canvas - click on the "Help" icon in the global navigation menu (the red, vertical navigation menu you see on the left side of each page in Canvas). You can text chat with Canvas Support or call a student support number.
  • Online@JSU - for issues related to Canvas, Turnitin, Canvas Studio (Coming Fall 2023), and Honorlock (Monday through Friday, 8:00 am to 4:30 pm)
  • IT (Technology Support Center) - for issues related to GEM email accounts and MyJSU (Monday through Friday, 8:00 am to 4:30 pm)