Learning Online as a History Student

Things at university have changed a lot over the past few months because of Covid. However, that doesn’t mean things are any less enjoyable. It just means that things need to be done in a different way! All of my course is currently being taught online as Uni aren’t allowed to have too many people on campus. But, we are still getting the same lectures, seminars, and interaction with the staff. It just happens to be through a webcam instead of a lecture hall. The changes made just help to keep everybody safe, but you still get all the relevant teaching and material that you need.

I am also currently writing my dissertation which is due in April. I have managed to make use of lots of different online resources offered by Huddersfield to make sure I get all my research done. Summon (the online library service) lets you search through thousands of e-books, and the library is still allowing you to visit as long as you book your time and follow the guidelines. So, reading for assignments is still easily available.

In some ways, online learning can actually fit around your studies better than an on-campus timetable. For example, my lectures are Asynchronous, so they don’t need to be watched live or at a specific time. They are uploaded onto Brightspace every Monday, and we just watch them and take notes whenever we choose to before that week’s seminar. Then, we have a live seminar on Microsoft Teams, in which we can talk through the material of the week with our peers and lecturers, just as we would do if we were in a room on campus. This is your time to have a discussion, go over your ideas and ask any questions you might have. Teams also shows you all of your modules together, and allows you to talk to others and voice ideas with your group in the chat.

My course in particular has made sure to keep the social aspect of university, with live seminar discussions and online message boards on Brightspace being a really important part of the modules. We also have personal Microsoft Teams meetings with the lecturers so that we can voice any concerns we may have and talk over assessments. I have a meeting at least once every four weeks with my tutor and dissertation supervisor Professor Christine Hallett, so we have regular contact about my work and progress. The switch to online is also useful for the future, as we don’t really know how long things are going to be different because of Covid. If meetings being online is the new normal, this is perfect experience.

The main thing to remember is that help is always available, no matter how much you think you are struggling. From my experience, the entire History team are always quick to reply to emails, answer questions, have one-to-one Teams meetings to go over assessments and give you feedback on drafts. One thing I would definitely say with History in particular, is that it is a degree that makes you feel part of a team. Or, if you’d rather not go to your lecturers, the Student Wellbeing team is always available to offer you support.

My biggest tips for online learning would be:

1. Treat your day as if you were ‘in’ Uni and on a timetable. Don’t let being online be an excuse to push things back. This way, you will keep to deadlines, seminars and get all your notes for lectures done in good time. It also gives your day a structure, which will make it much easier to keep focused and feel normal. Using your MyHud timetable helps you keep organised.

2. Have a set space to do your work that you can focus in. I like to sit at the kitchen table or in the office with my headphones on and have my books for the day next to me. Having a specific place to work will help you focus, and keep other areas ‘work free’ and relaxing.

3. Give yourself a break! Sitting in front of a screen all day isn’t good for anyone, so make sure you allow yourself time to chill, go for a walk, read, talk to people etc.

4. Make the most of it. Online classes still allow you to participate and get involved in seminars, so make sure you do. That way, you’ll get the most out of your time here and learn a lot more in the process. It also avoids awkward silences!

So, really, not all that much has changed. You are still getting everything that you need to be successful in your degree, you just might not spend as much time physically on campus. As long as you can keep organised, do the work, and participate in whatever format your course follows, you will be absolutely fine.