Guide to Course Completion if Face-to-Face Classes are Not Meeting

Class changes during a semester can be stressful, and we are offering this guide to students to support your success during any transition of your classes out of the face-to-face environment.  The University is committed to finding creative ways to ensure that you can complete your classes, regardless of whether they can meet in person or not.

First, be sure that you have sufficient access to internet so that you can use Canvas and complete online classes. If you are on campus and well, the existing computer labs will remain open. You also may use your personal computer, tablet or phone. Take time to ensure that whatever device you have is functional and ready to be used for classwork.

First, be sure that you have sufficient access to internet so that you can use Canvas and complete online classes. Take time to ensure that whatever device you have is functional and ready to be used for classwork.

Issues with Internet access

 

Steps to Stay on Top of Classes

1. Log into Canvas and check each of your course shells for messages from your instructors, updates to your syllabi, and changes to your course requirements. If you have face-to-face classes, they have likely been moved online with new requirements. Take time to write in your planner or a notebook what your (new) assignments are from now until the end of the term. Contact your instructors immediately with any questions or concerns you have, or if anything is not clear to you.
2. Make a note of all of your instructors preferred method of communication and make sure you know how to reach them and when their online office hours are.
3. If you have disability accommodations, message your instructors in Canvas with any information or questions that you have regarding your transition to online. Questions about your accommodations more generally can be emailed to odaFREEMississippi.
4. If you have any change in your circumstances and/or availability for your classes, communicate with your instructors immediately to let them know your situation and ask what you need to do to for course completion.
5. Log into Canvas every day to check messages, announcements, discussion posts, and assignments.
6. Check your USM email daily to make sure you have not missed any important announcements about classes or University situations.
7. Make sure your contact information is up to date in Eagle Alert so that you receive any emergency notifications.

Spring 2020 Grade Option

Learn about the Z, P, PS, and NP grades that can be requested in place of letter grades at the end of the current semester only.

Electronic Processing of Degree Applications

In an effort to assist students in processing their degree applications, The University of Southern Mississippi will accept degree applications from students through email submission for the 2020 calendar year. Learn more.

Resources

Free eTextbooks

• Free Access to Barnes & Noble eTextbooks

 

Tips for Studying at Home

• How to Study at Home (Without Getting Distracted)
  Oxford Learning, July 2019

 

Canvas Videos for Students

• Overview of Canvas
• Canvas Introduction for Students
• How to Set Your Notifications in Canvas
• Navigating Canvas Modules
• Submitting Assignments in Canvas

 

Canvas Support Hotline for Students

• 844.880.9815

 

Writing and Speaking Centers

The Writing Center and the Speaking Center are friendly spaces that provide individualized feedback and support to help Southern Miss students succeed with writing and speaking assignments for any class. The Centers offer one-to-one consultations for any stage of the process, including brainstorming, creating an outline, revising, learning editing strategies, and developing presentation skills. In Spring 2021, all Writing Center appointments are online only. The Speaking Center has online appointments, virtual drop-in hours, and limited in-person availability for the Spring 2021 semester. To make an appointment, visit usm.mywconline.com and create an account with your USM email address. Detailed instructions for making an appointment can be found at usm.edu/writing-center. Contact the Writing Center by email at writingcenterFREEMississippi or by phone at (601) 266-4821. The Speaking Center can be reached at speakingcenterFREEMississippi or (601) 266-4965.

 

Career Services

Career Services welcomes virtual student appointments to discuss internships, resume writing, job searches, or any other dimension of career planning or job seeking. We offer a variety of tools online for students, and you can schedule a virtual appointment through the Career Services website. For more information, call 601-266-4153.

 

University Advisement Center

The University’s Advisement Center is open for remote appointments via videoconferencing, and advisors are also available to talk with students by phone about any questions they may have. Please refer to our list of advisors and book an appointment with any of them, or call, if you’d like to talk about your academic plans. We also have many resources available online for students to review, and an Ask-an-Advisor form if you’d just like to submit a question. While you are out and working remotely, don’t let time pass by without planning for your summer and fall classes and ensuring that you stay on track for your degree! 

  

New Student and Retention Programs Success Library

NSRP’s Success Library is designed to provide access to success materials on demand. Topics covered include improving study and note taking habits, learning how to improve time management, thinking critically for college level courses, and setting goals to keep yourself motivated.

We encourage you to use these resources on your own but to make the most of them consider making a virtual appointment with a staff member! 

 

Remote Tutoring