We know that transitioning to online and remote learning is not easy. To support you, we compiled 17 tips from our librarians and staff members.

Library resources

1. You can live chat with experts at the library every day of the week. We're here to help!

2. Don’t let paywalls create a barrier to your schoolwork or research. Being off campus doesn’t mean you lose free online access to scholarly journal and newspaper articles! If you'd like to read an article on the internet but hit a paywall, try the following steps:

   • Set up your Google Scholar preferences to access the full-text of scholarly journal articles. 

   • Copy and paste the article title (either scholarly journal or newspaper) into library search to access the full text. Odds are, we have it. 

3. A number of publishers have expanded free access to digital textbooks.

4. Need help with GIS software or making a map? Using your NetID you can access an entire ArcGIS and ArcGIS Online learning library of videos and tutorials.

5. If you’re trying to juggle studying with childcare, check out our list of free online activities for kids.

6. Can’t travel to the Louvre? No problem! Google Arts & Culture has partnered with thousands of museums and galleries around the world to provide free virtual tours. See many more fine arts resources (all free or openly licensed).

University resources

7. Learn about technology resources for students, including ways to get free internet access.

8. Feeling stressed, anxious, or depressed? You’re not alone. The university’s Counseling & Psych Services (CAPS) remains open and is offering support by phone or private videoconferencing. “It’s essential to make your health a priority during this time. The critical self-care activities are sleep, physical exercise and a healthy diet,” says this article on mental health coping strategies.

9. If you’re experiencing food insecurity and are close to campus, the Campus Pantry is still open. It has a new location (Sonora Room on the first floor of the Student Union) and specific hours.

10. If you’re struggling with anything that makes it a challenge to do your classes remotely, please reach out to your instructors. Let them know what your situation is so they can help. Staff across campus are still here to help you succeed academically (just remotely). 

Wellness, entertainment and more

11. Listen to music playlists on YouTube to help keep you focused, such as this compilation from Chillhop.

12. Need a study break? Check out the San Diego Zoo’s live penguin cam, polar bear cam, ape cam (there’s a new baby!) and other animals. There’s also a panda cam archive

13. Be kind and patient with yourself. Get emotional support from friends, classmates, and family and know you're not alone. 

14. Create your own online community. Choose 3-4 people from your classes and check in with them daily. Make sure they are on task and use them as stimulus or motivation to keep yourself on track.  

15. Make a schedule for yourself where you are able to focus on school work without as many distractions as possible. Also schedule some breaks and, of course, some fun during the day!

16. Have you been laid off from your job? Pima County and Arizona@Work list employers that are hiring immediately.

17. Add an image to your Zoom, Google Hangouts, Skype or other online meeting profile. This may be helpful if you have limited bandwidth. It also provides an alternative to video if you find yourself in an unexpected space for a meeting.

Thank you Rebecca Blakiston, Cheryl Cuillier, Ashley Swinford, Maggie Verebelyi and everyone who provided tips!