Hackers are taking advantage of pandemic fears to steal your personal information!
What’s a phishing scam? A phishing scam is an attempt to steal your personal information, such as usernames and passwords, by hackers posing as legitimate sources.
What does a phishing scam look like? Posing as CSUN faculty with a job offer that is too good to be true. Posing as an organization requesting donations. Posing as the government and requesting banking information. Visit https://www.csun.edu/it/phishing-examples for more information.
How to protect yourself from phishing scams Carefully inspect emails that look suspicious. DO NOT respond to emails that request personal information or click on suspicious links. Enable two-factor identification to strengthen security on your accounts. Stay informed with updates from CSUN IT. Report any suspected phishing to abuse@csun.edu. Visit https://www.csun.edu/it/security for more information and resources.
How to Stay in Touch with Loved Ones
Schedule a virtual dinner date. Video chat with family and friends while cooking and eating meals. Try new recipes, talk about your day and take some time to just be together, virtually.
Host an online movie night. Get a group of friends and chat while all watching the same movie. Use video chat or the Netflix party extension: https://www.netflixparty.com/
Host an online book club. Invite your friends and family to read with you and use video chatting to discuss the book together.
Schedule an online workout. Work out together virtually and increase your endorphins to make you feel better and reduce your stress.
10 Ideas to Beat Cabin Fever
Read a book
Start a new hobby
Play a board game or cards
Do a puzzle
Do some spring cleaning
Rearrange your furniture
Try a new recipe
Have a night of popcorn and movies
Do a home improvement project
Scrapbook
Online Learning - Angst and Advice
Worried about concentrating? Keeping in contact with those away (text, calls, facetime) helps relieve some stress! Balance your studies with activities that will help keep stress levels down.
Need some structure? To help meet deadlines and prioritize your assignments, utilize planners and checklists!
Hate communicating through zoom/facetime? Miss the interaction you get in class? Utilize the tools in zoom that help copy an in-class session! Like the option to raise your hand or the chat function.
More Tips for Online Learning
Keep a planner!It’s easy to forget you have an obligation when you don’t physically have to be there, so write everything down!
Schedule your time!Plan out an hour or so dedicated to each class every day, even when you don’t meet virtually.
Write your notes on paper!This gives your eyes a break from the screen when taking notes and studying them. You also remember notes you physically wrote down better than when typed!
Ways to Give Back to the Community
Donate to nonprofits helping to respond to COVID-19
Find ways to show gratitude for those on the front lines.
Volunteer for organizations that are providing critical services in your community. Reach out to local charities and find out how you can volunteer safely at home. https://www.volunteermatch.org/covid19
Use your voice to advocate for the individuals and organizations that need your help. Share information with your friends, including coping strategies and volunteer opportunities
Tips for Stress Management
Take breaks! Make time to do activities you enjoy.
Practice mindfulness. Meditation and yoga are great ways to reduce stress.
Deep breathing. Sit in a relaxed position and take a deep breath in for 3 seconds. Pause. And release for 3 seconds. Repeat until you feel calm.
Sleep and eat well! Good sleep and nutrition will give you more energy.
Reach out. If you are struggling, reach out to loved ones or a professional. University Counseling Services are still available at this time.
Tips for CSUN Graduates
Graduation Gather your friends and family on Zoom for a virtual commencement celebration.
Support Take advantage of CSUN’s University Counseling Services. (p.s. it’s free!)
Financial Tips
​CSUN Matacare Grant
Request bill payment postponements
Reach out to your insurer
Cancel unessential memberships and subscriptions
Budget expenses
How to Stay Motivated to Study
Create a study routine - Keep track of assignments and due dates so you know what to prioritize and set a plan to do the work throughout the week.
Break the work down into manageable chunks - The work may seem overwhelming when thinking about the larger project at hand. Breaking the work into smaller tasks will help you feel less overwhelmed and more accomplished.
Reward yourself when you complete task.
Take a short break or do something enjoyable when you complete a set of tasks and then return back to work.
Schedule breaks in between studying and work.
Recharge and rest up so that you’re energized to learn and do homework.
Remind yourself this won’t last forever - There’s a few weeks left in the semester. You can do this! We are all in this together!
Staying Active During Quarantine
OUTDOOR activities
Walk/jog around your neighborhood (maintain distance of 6 feet apart).
Go for a bike ride!
Try out your green thumb! Do some gardening or lawnwork.
Do a bodyweight workout in your yard! Or some yoga or stretching.
Play active games with family or roommates!
INDOOR activities
Do active chores, like sweeping the floor.
Walk up and down your stairs to some music!
Get up and walk around during commercials when watching TV.
Do a bodyweight workout or yoga in your living room.
Have a dance marathon and invite your family or roommates.
Student Resources
Food Pantries
Loaves and Fishes II - Van Nuys - 818-997-0943
MEND - Pacoima - 818-897-2443
First Baptist Church - Sylmar - 818-367-2362
St. Cyril's Catholic Church – Encino - 818-986-8234
The West Valley Food Pantry - Woodland Hills - 818-346-5554
Employment Resources
Chrysalis - 818-794-4200
Family Source Center - 818-786-4098
Work Source Center - 818-781-2522
Shelters
Tamar House - 818-505-0900
Haven Hills - 818-887-6589
Haven House - 323-681-2626
Transitional Housing Resources
US Mission - Canoga Park - 818-884-4409
Starting Over - Los Angeles - 951-898-0862
Grocery Shopping Tips
Have separate “inside” and “outside” clothes
Disinfect the grocery cart before using
Wear a mask and gloves. *Make sure to dispose protective gear properly OR wash if reusable
Keep 6-feet distance at the market.
Back home, change into your “inside” clothes and throw away/wash your gloves and mask
