Academic Resources

Internet and Computer Resources

Free or Discounted Internet

• Access from AT&T if you have Calfresh or equivalent

• Spectrum Internet Assist for Low Income Households

• Charter will offer free Spectrum broadband and Wi-Fi access for 60 days to households with K-12 and/or college students who do not already have a Spectrum broadband subscription and at any service level up to 100 Mbps. To enroll call 1-844-488-8395. Installation fees will be waived for new student households.

UC San Diego Loaner Laptop

Students can request a laptop through our laptop lending program. We are partnering with financial aid and ITS to work with students who qualify.

Fill out a laptop loaner request form.

On Campus Computer Labs

This webpage will be continually updated as we work to gain access to computer labs on campus for students to use for remote instruction.

See what computer labs are open and available now on The Computer Lab Lookup

Study Tips

Manage Your Time

Although you don't have to run from one side of campus to the other anymore, it is still helpful to manage your time so your schoolwork and rest time do not conflict. 

• Create a schedule, and find ways to keep yourself accountable. We've compiled a list of a few resources that we use to keep ourselves organized. Feel free to give them a try, and see if any of them are a good fit for you.
• Collaborate with your peers. Study groups are a great way to connect with classmates and enhance learning.

Take Notes

Remember, online classes are still real classes. Taking notes will help you retain information and make the most of the course material.

Your professors should be providing recorded lectures, so here's a format for note-taking that will make it easier to review previous information.

• Divide the video into several parts, depending on topics and sub-topics.

• Give the file a name (BILD1 Week 1) and a date (4/1/2020) so it is easier to find at a later point.

• Write down in bullet points what you can hear in each section and put the time (01:35 or 00:57-2:13) behind it.

Make Your Studying Enjoyable

Studying can be difficult when you can't go to a new location or have your friends to keep you company. It's important to find ways to keep yourself engaged while you study to avoid being distracted.

• Listen to some music. Have a tailored playlist to help you focus while you study. We made a list of playlists our staff like to listen to while they work. Pick a playlist from the Advisor Song Favorites list!
• Enjoy a (class appropriate) drink. Check out what drinks your advisors prefer on our Advisor Drink Favorites list!

Create a Study Space

Finding a consistent working space will help you maintain routine and focus. Where possible, here are a few things to keep in mind.

• Find good lighting, especially natural light

• Sit upright at a flat surface.

• Try to keep work and relaxation spaces separate as much as possible. For example, attend classes at your kitchen table, rather than your bed.

• Get a plant!

The Pomodoro Technique

The Pomodoro Technique is a way of working or studying that improves focus and productivity. There are six steps in the original technique:

1. Decide on the task to be done.

2. Set the pomodoro timer (traditionally to 25 minutes).

3. Work on the task.

4. End work when the timer rings and put a checkmark on a piece of paper.

5. If you have fewer than four checkmarks, take a short break (3–5 minutes), then go to step 2.

6. After four pomodoros, take a longer break (15–30 minutes), reset your checkmark count to zero, then go to step 1.

Pomodoro Timer with Instrumental Music

Pomodoro Timer with Lo Fi Beats