Adjusting your study habits during COVID-19

We'll get through this together.

Things may feel out-of-control right now and you may be facing a lot of disruptions and unknowns. During this time, try to be patient with yourself, your classmates, and your instructors. Take care of your well being first. Adjusting your studying habits and making a plan may provide a sense of control during this unprecedented time. 

Our guide for academic success

In this guide, we’ll talk about: 

1. Staying organized
2. Avoiding multitasking
3. Making the most of video lectures
4. Setting a schedule
5. Trading your strategies for new ones
6. Working with a group or team
7. Staying connected to other people

Remember, your study habits may need to change. 

1. Staying organized

With so many things changing in your courses, you must be reliving that first-week-of-class confusion at finals-week pace.

Here are things to keep track of for each class:

• Are in-person parts of the class changing?
• What are the in-person components of this course? (lecture, lab, etc.) 
• Where can you find it or how do you access it? (livestream, lecture capture, etc.)
• Is it at a specific time or can you watch it anytime? Are assignments changing? 
• Are there new due dates?
• Is how you’re submitting your assignments changing? 
• Are any quizzes or exams being offered virtually? What should you do if you need help?
• Is your course offering virtual office hours? When and on what platform?
• Is there an online forum for asking questions?

2. Avoiding multitasking

If you’re doing more work on your own and your time is less structured, you might be more tempted to multitask. Many people think they can do multiple things at once, but research shows that only about 2% of the population can multitask. Even if you feel like you’re multitasking, you’re probably not…really, you’re switching between tasks very quickly, or ‘microtasking.’

The downsides of multitasking and microtasking:

•  Assignments take longer. Each time you come back to an assignment from a distraction, you have to get familiar with it again, find your spot, remember what you were going to do next, etc.
• You’re more likely to make mistakes. Distractions and switching between tasks tires out the brain.
• You’ll remember less. When your brain is divided, you’re less able to commit what you’re learning to long-term memory (because it doesn’t get encoded properly into your brain). What to do instead: When you need to study something important, consider The Magic of Monotasking.
• Focus on one thing at a time.
• Take breaks between tasks.
• Consider the ‘Pomodoro Technique’ to help you focus for 25 or 50 minute periods and then reward yourself with five or 10 minute breaks.

3. Making the most of video lectures

• Stick to your instructor’s schedule as much as you can. Staying on a schedule will help you have a feeling of normalcy and prevent you from falling behind.
• Find out how to ask questions. Is there a chat feature? Is there a discussion forum?
• Close distracting tabs and apps. Unfortunately, we’re not as good at multitasking as we think we are! (See #2)
• Take notes as you would if you were there in person.
• Watch recordings at normal speed. Research shows that playback speed of 1.5x can lower your retention and can result in lower scores on assessments. Faster playback speeds are worse for complex, multi-step material (which most of your lectures probably are).

4. Setting a schedule

As the situation continues to unfold, you may have fewer social commitments and/or group meetings. Setting a schedule for yourself can help provide structure and keep you motivated. If you don’t already keep a daily or weekly calendar, try following a schedule like this to organize your time. Your mental health is incredibly important, so be sure to include time for exercise and self-care.

5. Trading your strategies for new ones

Your routines may also have to adjust during this time. Look for ways to adapt your usual habits or form new ones. For example:

• If you usually study in a coffee shop or library, ask yourself what kind of environment helps you study and see if you can recreate that at home. Maybe it’s studying in a chair, rather than on your couch, or moving to a new spot when you change tasks. If you feel you need background noise, consider a white noise app or binaural beats.
• If you always study in groups, try a virtual or even phone-based study session with your group.
• If you thrive on tight timelines, but now have a more open schedule, think about how working with others or setting up a schedule can recreate that for you.

6. Working with a group or team

Remote collaboration will look a little different, but it is possible.

• Try not to procrastinate. That group project may be out-of-sight, out-of-mind if you aren’t seeing each other regularly. Resist the urge to put it off. Make small progress and stay in touch.
• Meet regularly, especially if you usually touch base during class or lab. Consider a quick text on your group chat about progress every couple of days. Ideally, have real conversations over video when you’re working together. Check out the online tools you have access to.
• Set a purpose for meetings and use a shared notes document. Meetings might feel different when using video, even if your team was really good at working informally in the past. Try to set the purpose of your meeting in advance and take notes in a shared document so you can all follow along and contribute.
• Keep videos open when you can. As long as you can see whatever you need to collaborate, try and keep the video visible on your computer screen. It’ll help you see the expressions of your teammates and stay connected to each other.
• Check on each other and ask for backup: If someone has been absent from your group meetings or chat, ask them directly if they’re still able to participate in the project. If you aren’t getting responses within a day or two, let your instructor know. Know it isn’t being petty, it’s your team’s responsibility.

7. Staying connected to other people

During times like this, connecting with family and friends might be more important than ever. Even if we limit how much faceto-face time we spend with others on campus, staying in touch with instructors, classmates, and group mates is still important for continued classwork. Here are a few ideas:

• Schedule video calls with friends and family. Talking with loved ones is often really helpful when you’re stressed or nervous about something. Taking a break to have a laugh is also important.
• Attend virtual office hours or study groups so that you can stay up on your coursework. Please remember, this will pass. If COVID-19 has disrupted your upcoming travel plans, ended a lab experiment you were excited about, or for any reason feels like it came at the worst possible time, remember: this is temporary. You’ll find your way when it settles down. You’ll get back on track, and things will get back to normal. We don’t know when, but it will happen. Until then, take a deep breath, do your best, get some rest, and wash your hands.

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES

• CCP’s Virtual Student Resource Center 
• Learning online for CCP students during COVID-19
• CCP Cares: Resources for students and requests for support
• College updates on COVID-19

This guide was adapted from the Center for Academic Innovation at the University of Michigan

Learning Lab Academic Support Services (Tutoring, Workshops and Study Groups)

The Learning Lab faculty and staff will be available to support students through email and through individual and group tutoring sessions.

Virtual Office Hours

Monday – Thursday: 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Schedule an Online Appointment with a Tutor

Our Learning Lab tutors are not only highly capable of helping you earn better grades, they're also very fun to study with!

The Learning Lab has both faculty specialists and peer tutors with expertise in a broad range of subject areas. We are available online to help answer general questions, guide you through complex ideas, and help you with your study techniques. All tutoring services are FREE. You can schedule up to 60 minutes of tutoring per day.

Tutoring services are available Monday through Thursday from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Currently, the Learning Lab offers two types of appointments to students:

• Online is a face-to-face online tutoring session using Zoom. This type of session is most often used for subject tutoring, such as computer technologies, foreign languages, ESL, math and science.
• e-Tutoring sessions allow you to simply upload a document, such as an essay, and identify one part of the writing process you would like help with. The tutor will review the document and provide you with focused written feedback and guidance on how to improve your writing.

How to Access Tutoring Online

The Learning Lab offers a comprehensive system of support, ranging from help in a specific course to detailed instruction in writing and study skills. The primary modes of support are peer-based individual and group tutoring. 

Video-Chat Online appointments will be interactive and meet face-to-face using Zoom.

E-tutoring appointments will be asynchronous - submit a question or a problem by email; a tutor will respond within 24 hrs (1 business day).

E-Tutoring Rules and Expectations

Students may schedule up to two appointments per week, per subject and in any combination of E-tutoring, Online Video-Chat, or Online Writing Center submissions. Appointments may be requested up to 2 weeks (13 days) in advance. Same day appointments may be requested up to 4 hours before the start time of the session. Requests received within the 4-hour window will be rejected. Only requests received from student.ccp.edu email addresses will be accepted. Requests sent from all other email address domains will be rejected.

After sending in a request for tutoring, students can expect one of the following responses: 

• A response acknowledging receipt of your request, informing you that your request has NOT been accepted. In this case the email you receive information regarding alternate times your request could be accommodated 
  
• A response acknowledging receipt of your request, informing you that your request has been accepted. In this case, you will receive a response confirming your appointment, including next steps.*

*For online Video-Chat appointments, the link to your Zoom meeting may be sent up to the start time of your session

Late Policy: Students who are more than 10 minutes late to an appointment forfeit the time slot.

Cancellation/No Show Policy: Appointments can be canceled via email up to 90 minutes before the scheduled session time. Appointments that are canceled within the 90-minute window will be marked as missed. Three missed appointments will result in limited tutoring appointments.

How to Schedule Your Tutoring Appointment

• Login to MyCCP
• Click on the “Student Quick Links” menu under MyCCP Quick Links
• Click “Schedule an online tutoring appointment”
• Next, select a schedule using the drop down menu after the current week's dates. Choose one of the following:
  • Subject Tutoring—for content specific support
  • Computer Lab—to reserve a computer on Main Campus
  • ESL
  • Writing Center—for writing support only (not content specific)
• Using the “Limit to”dropdown menu to select the subject and course you need help with
• Select a white box at the time you'd like to schedule your tutoring session
• Complete the questions in the popup window, allowing the tutor to prepare before your session
• Answer the questions and click “Create Appointment”

An email will be sent to your CCP email account to confirm your reservation.

How to Access Your Tutoring Session

Option 1: You can hover over the “Welcome”message. This will display your appointments. Select the session you are there to join.

Option 2: Click on the orange box corresponding to your appointment day and time. Next, click on "Start or Join Online Consultation."
Once you have made contact with your tutor, they may ask that your appointment be conducted via Zoom and provide you with the meeting ID number. 

Remember to check your phone and your CCP email regularly, as we may need to contact you with important updates regarding your appointment. 

You can expect

1.  Feedback about formatting, citing sources, assignment directions, clarity, and grammar – or any other area of focus indicated by the student – will be noted as comment(s) in paper submission.
2. A list of next steps to guide you in making changes to your paper (in body of email response).
3. A short message from the Writing Center tutor (in body of email response).

You may have to wait up to 1 business days to receive your paper back. Please keep checking your student.ccp.edu email. We will work diligently to get your paper back to you as quickly as possible.

*This page will be updated frequently. Please check back for details on group tutoring sessions and drop-in hours.

Office of Student Success Initiatives

Virtual Office Hours

Monday - Friday: 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Lynne Sutherland                    
Director
215-751-8136

Danyelle Watson-Young        
Student Success Support Coach
215-751-8202

Bridget Burless
Administrative Assistant
267-299-5966

Student Resources

Starfish Connect

For assistance, email starfishconnect@ccp.edu or call us using the numbers listed above.

Complete with 15 Scholarship 

To apply for the scholarship, email us at studentsuccess@ccp.edu. We will send you a link to an online application form. We will acknowledge receipt of your application and follow-up with you via email. You may also go to click here, download the application, complete it and send it to us via email. Please do not fax or mail an application as we are not in the office to receive it.

50th Anniversary Promise Scholars and Joseph and Marie Field Scholars

To contact us, please send an email to studentsuccess@ccp.edu or call us using the numbers listed above. We will check the voicemails of the numbers above and return calls as soon as possible.

CARES Act Student Emergency Fund

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the CARES Act? 

The Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act is a coronavirus relief package approved by Congress. Community College of Philadelphia will receive $8 million to assist students that have incurred expenses related to the disruption of campus operations due to COVID-19. Eligible expenses include food, housing, course materials, technology, health care, childcare or other related expenses.

Does the CARES Act Fund need to be repaid?

No, the CARES Act Fund is federal grant assistance that does not need to be repaid. 

Am I eligible to receive CARES Act assistance?

• Students must have a valid 2019-20 FAFSA at Community College of Philadelphia. If you haven't completed the 2019-20 FAFSA yet, it's still available through June 30, 2020. Get started by visiting www.fafsa.gov.
• Students must have expenses related to the disruption of campus operations due to COVID-19, such as food, housing, course materials, technology, health care, childcare or other related expenses.
• Requests will be awarded based on the availability of funds.  

To see if you are eligible to receive CARES Act funds, please complete the request form. All forms submitted by July 15, 2020 will be reviewed by July 22, 2020. Students who apply and are eligible to receive CARES Act Funds will receive funds by July 30, 2020.  

How will I receive CARES Funds? 

If approved, the CARES Act Fund grant will be added as a credit to your CCP student account, and then refunded to you. Unlike all other forms of financial aid, this fund will not credit toward any unpaid balances. CARES Act funds will be distributed via direct deposit. All students able to sign up for direct deposit must do so to ensure the timely disbursement of the funds. If you are unable to sign up for direct deposit, a paper check will be mailed to your address on record.  

How do I register for direct deposit?  

To sign up for direct deposit with the College, please login to MyCCP and complete the Student Direct Deposit Sign-Up form. You will need a bank account and a cell phone to sign up for direct deposit.

If you are unable to sign up for direct deposit you will be mailed a check sent to your CCP mailing address on record. Please confirm your mailing address by logging in to MyCCP and completing the CCP Mailing Address Verification form.

Are other resources available if I don’t qualify for the CARES Act Fund?

Students who do not meet eligibility criteria may still seek financial assistance for emergency circumstances through the Student Emergency Fund.

Are CARES Act funds available to incoming students that are beginning in Fall 2020? 

Federal CARES Act funds are being awarded to current CCP students that have expenses as a result of their educational experience being disrupted due to COVID-19. Fund availability will be monitored as we move through the next academic year.

Where can I locate the CARES Act consumer information? 

Information can be located on the College's Consumer Information webpage under Financial Assistance.

Counseling Department

College life is full of opportunities and challenges. The Counseling Department of Community College of Philadelphia can help you optimize your opportunities and meet your challenges. The College offers free, comprehensive counseling services to all of our students. Our highly qualified and diverse staff provides expertise in career, transfer, academic and personal counseling. The information discussed with counselors is kept strictly confidential. 

Virtual Office Hours and Contact Information

Hours: Monday - Thursday 8:30 a.m. - 7:30 p.m.
Friday 8:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Phone: 215-751-8169
Email: 

As public health concerns surrounding COVID-19 continue to grow the Counseling department wants to ensure that we can support our students remotely. Services are available by phone, email and zoom appointments.

Students Resources

Meet with a Counselor

For Academic, Career, transfer and personal counseling please email counseling@ccp.edu or call 215-751-8169, please include a message with your name, J number, cell phone and/or email and a counselor will be in touch with you.

Registration 

All-new, transfer students, readmit students and students on academic probation must first connect with counselors to register.

Important dates:

• 3/23/2020: Academic Probation student’s registration begins. Please complete this form in order to register
• 3/30/2020: New Transfer student’s registration begins. Please complete this form in order to register.
• 3/30/2020: Readmit student’s registration begins. Please complete this form in order to register.

Once we receive your request, you will be contacted by a Counselor about registration and next steps.

Coping During Covid-19

Emergencies

Mental Health

• National Suicide Hotline 24/7: 1-800-273-8255 (En Español1-800-628-9454)
  https://suicidepreventionlifeline.org
• Philadelphia Crisis 24 Hour Suicide Crisis & Intervention: 267-687-4381
  https://healthymindsphilly.org/en/get-help-now
• Crisis Text Line 24/7: TEXT HOME to 741741 or message on FaceBook
  https://www.crisistextline.org
• Temple University Crisis Response Center 24/7: 215-707-2577
  https://www.templehealth.org/services/psychiatry/crisis-response-center

Safety

• Domestic Violence Hotline 24/7: 1-866-723-3014
  https://www.womenagainstabuse.org/get-help/pdvh
• Childhelp National Child Abuse Hotline – 24/7 and confidential. Call, text, chat 1-800-422-4453
  https://www.childhelp.org/childhelp-hotline
• National Sexual Assault Hotline – 24/7 talk or chat 1-800-656-4673
  https://www.rainn.org

Self-Care During COVID-19

• The Hope Center for College, Community and Justice – List of local and national resources available to college student to assist with money, food, shelter, reduce bills and more:
  https://hope4college.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/BTFP_RealCollege_GuideForStudents_COVID19.pdf
  
  
• Resources to reduce fear and anxiety and increase sleep during uncertain times:
• https://www.virusanxiety.com
• https://theconversation.com/7-science-based-strategies-to-cope-with-coronavirus-anxiety-133207
• https://www.helpguide.org/articles/anxiety/coronavirus-anxiety.htm
• https://www.tarabrach.com/pandemic
• https://www.virusanxiety.com/post/i-can-hardly-sleep-i-m-just-thinking-a-lot-about-covid-19-what-can-i-do

• In need of emotional supports:
• Ayana - Online Therapy for Marginalized & Intersectional Communities
  https://www.ayanatherapy.com
  
• Support Text Line for persons of color: TEXT “STEVE” to 741741
• Support phone/text/chat for LGBTQ Community ages 13-24 1-866-488-7386 – available 24/7
  https://www.thetrevorproject.org/get-help-now
  
• Muslim Crisis Text Line: TEXT “SALAM” to 741741
• Asian American Suicide Hotline: Call 1-877-990-8585, Asian LifeNet Hotline (24 hours)
  (Cantonese, Mandarin, Japanese, Korean, Fujianese are offered)

• If you need support for your mental health or dealing with an addiction:
• Live-Well Foundation – Provides support services for those who live with depression and anxiety (virtual services are available) https://www.livewell-foundation.org
• Many in-person support groups have moved online. For example, search for an Alcoholics Anonymous or Narcotics Anonymous virtual group.
  http://aa-intergroup.org
  https://www.neveraloneclub.org
• Free Streaming Workouts to do from Home
  https://parade.com/1011717/jessicasager/best-free-workouts/

Academic Support

• Online Study Habits: https://myccp.online/how-access-virtual-student-support-services/news/2020/03/adjusting-your-study-habits-during-covid-19
  
• Temple University Collaborative – 20 Apps for Student Success
  http://www.tucollaborative.org/wp-content/uploads/20-Apps-for-Student-Success-pdf.pdf
• Ohio University has both general online study tools and specific areas of study:
  https://www.ohio.edu/uc/aac/academic-skills/improve/general-study-tools
  Specific Areas of Study:
  https://www.ohio.edu/uc/aac/academic-skills/improve/discipline-specific-study-tools
• Oregon State Academic Success Center – Learning Corner provides information on topics such as online learning, time management, study skills, stress reduction, procrastination and more: https://success.oregonstate.edu/learning/all-worksheets

Health & Wellness:

• Relaxation Techniques for Stress Relief:
  https://www.helpguide.org/articles/stress/relaxation-techniques-for-stress-relief.htm
  
• Sleep Disturbances:
  Specific for COVID-19 - https://www.virusanxiety.com/post/i-can-hardly-sleep-i-m-just-thinking-a-lot-about-covid-19-what-can-i-do
  General Tips for Sleep - https://www.helpguide.org/articles/sleep/getting-better-sleep.htm
• Free Online Meditation Resources:
  https://www.theawakenetwork.com/free-online-meditation-resources-for-the-time-of-social-distancing
• Free Streaming Workouts to do From Home
  https://parade.com/1011717/jessicasager/best-free-workouts/

Office of Collegiate Recovery

Virtual Office Hours

Monday - Saturday: 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.

The Academic Mentor and the Director will observe normal off-campus office hours and meet with students via Zoom or over the phone. You can reach Pat Scoles, director, at 610-389-2096 or  . You can reach Antonia Angelica Jimenez-Trail, academic mentor, at 215-620-4015 or  . 

Weekly Zoom Meetings are available on Wednesdays 11-12 and Thursdays 2-3

Career Connections

Career Connections is here to support our students, staff and faculty remotely. All Career Connections services, workshops, résumé and cover letter reviews and approvals will be available to you remotely.

Virtual Office Hours

Monday - Friday: 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.

You can schedule an appointment with a Career Connections Pathway Coordinator on the Employment Hub. A Zoom video conference link will be available to you when you schedule an appointment with a Pathway Coordinator.

Student resources

You can access our three career-readiness software platforms through your MyCCP account. To get started:

1. Click on the Student Tab
2. Click on Career Connections on the left-hand side of the page and click on one of the software platforms below:

• • Career Connections Employment Hub: To connect & customize your job search with local and regional employers that are looking to hire CCP students. Register for our employer events, career workshops and schedule an appointment with one of our Career Connections Pathway Coordinators to have your resume and cover letter reviewed and approved.
  • Big Interview:  To watch videos on interview preparation, interview tools, sample interview questions and record your Mock Interviews to receive feedback from our Pathway Coordinators!
  • Virtual Job Shadow: To explore different careers and develop a career plan that you can use to begin exploring careers that you want to learn more about. You can virtually explore the day-to-day responsibilities, duties and skill sets needed to perform the jobs you want to learn about from people who are actively doing the job!

PLEASE NOTE: You can reach the Career Connections Pathway Coordinators via email at careerconnections@ccp.edu. In your email, please provide your name, the best number to reach you and your major in the subject of your email. We look forward to serving you! 

Center on Disability

Contact information and virtual office hours

Phone: 215-751-8050
Email: 
Monday - Thursday: 8 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.

Student resources

If you need assistance with ADA accommodations or have questions related to disability, please call and leave a message or send us an email. Staff will check messages daily and continue to schedule appointments via ZOOM or phone. 

Please note the Center on Disability is not administering quizzes, tests, or exams at the College. Students should remind instructors of their testing accommodations, so they remember to adjust any timers associated with their assessments accordingly.  

For additional information, please visit the COD website at ccp.edu/student-support/center-disability

International Student Services

The International Student Services Office is committed to continuing to provide support to our students, staff, and faculty. Employment workshops, Dynamic Form requests, and individual advising are all available remotely.  

Virtual Office Hours

Monday – Friday: 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.

You can schedule a meeting with Anesah using Starfish or by emailing aakari@ccp.edu. Please include your full name, student ID number and the reason for the appointment. Within 24 hours of your request, a confirmation email will be sent to you via Starfish including your appointment date, time and a Zoom invitation and link. 

Student Resources

Some services require a virtual meeting, while other requests can simply be submitted via Dynamic Forms, which you can access under the student tab of MyCCP. Please see the list below.

Dynamic Forms Requests

Login to MyCCP and click on the Student Tab. In the Electronic Forms box, select “International Student Forms” Select the form you need. For details instructions, please refer to the Dynamic Forms email sent to you on March 17, 2020. Letters will be issued and sent to you by email.

Dynamic Forms are required for the following:

• Change of Information
• I-20 Extension Form (also require approval from Advising)
• Letter Requests 
• Reduced Course Load Request (also require approval from Advising)
• Transfer Out Request (SEVIS Record)

Zoom Meetings

If you missed a workshop or would like to discuss any of the topics listed below, please follow the instructions above to schedule an appointment. Zoom meetings are required for the following:

• CPT Workshop/Application Submission
• Immigration Advising
• OPT Workshop/Application Submission (checklist sent via email on March 17)
• Post Completion/Graduation Plans
• Reinstatement Requests
• Starfish Follow Up
• Travel Questions

Travel 

While travel is strongly discouraged during this time, please make sure to notify Anesah if you are planning to leave the US.  Please complete this Travel Form and email copies of the items listed below BEFORE traveling: 

• I-20 (page 2)
• Visa Stamp

Faculty and Staff 

ISS is still required by the Department of Homeland Security and the Student Exchange and Visitor Program to monitor the academic progress and enrollment of our international students.  If you are concerned with a student’s performance or attendance, please contact us via email or by raising a flag in Starfish so that we can follow up with the student.  

Contact Info: 

Email: aakari@ccp.edu 
Google Voice/Text: 267.507.5437
WeChat: anesah_akari

Veterans Resource Center

Faculty and Staff: 

If you are concerned with a student’s performance please contact by email sbachovin@ccp.edu or Starfish

Along with ZOOM and Skype there is a chat feature in OFFICE 365 called TEAMS or I can be reached via Google voice / text: 215-370-1757   

Student Engagement - Regional Centers

Virtual Office Hours

Monday - Friday: 8:30 a.m. - 4:30p.m.

For general Student Engagement Regional Center questions or support, contact Dionne Easton, Coordinator, at deaston@ccp.edu or call (215) 972-6369 during business hours.

Zoom session meetings can be set-up with individual students by request.

Programming updates for Regional Centers will be provided via the Pride Portal page: 
https://prideportal.ccp.edu/organization/regional-centers-nwrc-nerc-werc.