Communicating with your instructors, TAs, and classmates

Consider creating a virtual learning community to help you stay accountable. Your peers can help you learn the material and you can mutually support each other staying on track.

• Stay in touch using Google.groups, sending a group text or using online apps such as Google Hangouts, Zoom, GroupMe, WhatsApp, or however you’d like.

• Meet regularly and set a purpose for your meetings.

• Articulate clear timelines and deadlines.

• Help each other monitor progress.

• Listen, be empathetic, generous, and kind. We are all in this learning environment together.

It’s important for you to go to office hours whether they are held online or in-person. Office hours are there for you, so you can talk to the professor, or ask one of the many questions you have about the course or assignments. Your professor and TAs want to talk to you — it’s why they chose a profession in teaching!

Quick tips:

• Don’t be afraid to ask for help. Others may have similar questions and concerns. You are not in this alone.

• Be on the lookout for announcements from your professor or TA and check your email frequently.

• If communicating online, be patient if you don’t get a response immediately. Your instructor and TAs manage a lot of emails.

We are all used to informal online writing styles (e.g., social media, chat rooms or blogs, and text messages). Because of the distance, it may be tempting to use a similar approach and/or writing style, maybe even communicating out of frustration or anger. But that is not ok just because the communication is online.

UC Santa Cruz asks students to adhere to our Principles of Community. These help us create a learning community that values and supports every person in an atmosphere of civility, honesty, cooperation, professionalism, and fairness. The UC Santa Cruz Office for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion also provides additional resources and information for students.