How to Have a College Experience as an Online Student
Posted: March 14, 2023 | Author: Kate Lyons | Read Time: 5 minutes
With over 20 online degrees, Southern Utah University has thousands of online students from across the state, country, and globe. Online college students can still get the authentic college experience at SUU through academic advising, a digital writing center, career help, networking, and multiple ways to connect with other T-Birds.
Create a Great College Experience as an Online Student
Advising
Just because you’re not on campus doesn’t mean you have to face earning your degree alone. SUU provides academic advisors who specialize in helping online students fulfill the criteria for their chosen online programs. You and your assigned advisor will meet over Zoom to create a plan that fits your schedule and goals. Advisors can answer any questions you may have over the course of your studies. Simply call or send them an email for assistance.
A.P.E.X
A.P.E.X Events is SUU’s premier weekly lecture series, hosting speakers and presenters from all areas of the world. Many of these events are streamed live for anyone to view from anywhere.
Athletics
There’s a specific adrenaline rush that comes with cheering on your university. SUU Athletics makes it easy for all fans to know about its teams, upcoming games, and where to support them. You can go online to learn more about the Spirit Squad and SUU Dance Team. If you ever feel like traveling to a game, SUU Athletics has the information for you to do so. Show T-Bird pride by wearing red on game day (and Fridays)! Head to the online bookstore to get your SUU gear.
Career Help
The Career and Professional Development Center at SUU serves all students and makes accommodations to do so. Their website offers information on off campus jobs and internships through Handshake, resume writing, job interview preparation, and graduate school information. As an online student, you’ll quickly see the importance of networking. The Career Center provides networking strategies and LinkedIn tips to help you further your online connections.
Connecting
As an online student, you may feel like you’re missing out on meeting people and being involved in the on-campus world. SUU's social media channels are one way to connect to current T-Birds, alumni, staff, and faculty. Search for @SUUTBirds on Instagram, Twitter, TikTok, and Facebook for the latest, ensuring you’re always up to date. You can also check out the most recent SUU News online. If you’re looking for a wide variety of topics to help you feel and perform your best as a student, check out the SUU Blog for tons of easy-to-read content that are tailored to the college experience. Stay updated on everything SUU while you’re on the go by using the SUU App, which has everything from courses, events, student resources, and more.
Graduate Writing Center
Writing is foundational to every college education. The writing load can be pretty hefty if you’re a graduate student. Luckily at SUU, you can access the online Graduate Writing Center. Make an appointment online or via email to discuss your current and upcoming writing projects, regardless of your skill level.
Graduation
After years of hard work and dedication, earning your diploma from SUU is what you’ve been waiting for! No matter where you are in the world, you can still join in on the festivities and feel the excitement on your momentous day. You can live stream commencement and each college’s convocation. You can find all the resources and contact information on the graduation website.
Library
You can’t complete your degree without being able to conduct thorough research. You can access all you need to help your research through the Gerald R. Sherratt Library online. You can look at special collections, chat with a librarian, access numerous academic research articles, get help writing citations, and much more.
Mental Health
Your mental health and well-being are important to everyone at the university, regardless of your location. SUU offers TimelyCare - a virtual health and well-being program for students. Students can speak privately from their smartphone or web-enabled device to a licensed provider whenever they feel overwhelmed, anxious, or need support. These licensed providers are available for mental health support 24/7 over the phone or through secure video chats. CAPS offers developmental, preventive, and therapeutic services and programs that promote academic excellence, involvement, personal growth, community, and social responsibility. CAPS provides students with an online Mental Health Toolkit, crisis resources, information on what to do while you wait to meet with a counselor, and diversity resources. Students can also utilize TAO connect, which provides online workshops and self-guided resources, and Togetherall, an anonymous chat system with peers around the country. You can find a complete list of mental health resources at https://www.suu.edu/mentalhealth/.
SUTV
There are three channels available to everyone to view what’s happening at SUU. You can watch concerts and events and stay up to date on the latest news, all from the comfort of your laptop or smartphone. Find out what’s coming up online.
SUTV operates on TDS cable Channel 9 and serves the Cedar City, UT, area. Locally produced programs are also streamed on YouTube Live.
Technology
As an online student, technology is everything. If Zoom isn’t a regular part of your life, it will soon be. SUU has an Academic Software Center to get free or discounted software. Chances are, you will face a few technical difficulties along the way. You can work with SUU’s IT for direct help or visit their page to see their list of Help Center Topics. Here, you’ll find help for Canvas, your password, your student portal, financial aid, and more.
No matter why you choose to be an online student at SUU, you can still have a satisfying college experience. SUU provides many ways to stay up to date on news, events, and athletics, as well as how you can benefit from a wide variety of online resources like academic advising, the Career Center, CAPS, and online IT help. If you want to start as an online student, head to SUU online.
Tags: CurStu SUU Online
