Tech Tools for Managing the Madness

Midterms are behind us, and finals will be here before you know it, with several exams and papers in between! While it can be a challenging time, Pitt IT has everything you need to get you through all the exams, projects, and papers.

Create a study schedule. Use Microsoft Planner, part of Microsoft 365, to schedule the work from all your classes in one location and break projects down into manageable tasks. Connect it to your Outlook Calendar to ensure you don’t miss a make-or-break deadline. It's the perfect tool to plan out your study schedule, so you aren't overwhelmed.
Find a good place to work. If you’re finding it hard to focus in your residence hall or off-campus housing, take advantage of the many student computing labs across campus. Need the lab software while you're on Spring Break (or just don't want to trek to a lab)? Connect to the Virtual Computing Lab to get the same lab computer experience from anywhere.
Collaborate on group projects. The best place to coordinate all your work and files, and meet virtually, is through Microsoft Teams. Meet up for an in-person meeting in one of our team collaboration rooms, where you can access a large display screen, whiteboard and conference table with plenty of connectivity.

Here are some other tips to make sure you’re taking care of yourself and your devices when burning the midnight oil:

The blue light created by screens can take a toll on your eyes. Turn on night shift mode to protect your retinas.
Keep your batteries in the sweet zone with the 80-20 rule: don’t charge your device past 80% or let it fall below 20% to increase its life span.
Pittsburgh weather is always changing. Bundle up your devices so they aren’t exposed to extreme temperatures or wet conditions.
Call/email/chat with the 24/7 IT Help Desk or stop by Drop-In Support when you run into a technical snag. Solving the problem may take some time, so don’t wait till the last minute.

Master Group Projects

Zoom, GroupMe, and Google Docs are great, but Microsoft Teams can do it all, and more, in one spot. Teams has video calls, group chat, file sharing, Microsoft Office integration, and easy online meetings. Never toggle between platforms again! Learn more.

SheLeads Women's Forum

Thurs., March 30 at 3 - 6 p.m.

Join a panel of distinguished alumni, faculty, and other friends of SCI sharing their lived experiences as women leaders in technology at different points in their careers. Then, Dr. Catherine Marsh, IARPA Director, will deliver a forward-looking talk on technology and opportunities. A reception will follow.
Learn more.

Don't Dismiss Duo

You hear your phone ding, open the notification, hit the green button, and head back to your laptop to keep working. Wait a minute. Why did you get a Duo prompt? You weren’t logging into something. Oh no. 10,000 people just received a phishing scam from your email address. Don't be that person.

Perfect Your LinkedIn Profile

A well-crafted LinkedIn profile will take you far in your career and maintain professional contacts that can help you in the future. Write a good summary that encapsulates your passions and what you want to do while actively growing your network. Don’t be afraid to make those connections! You can also link your LinkedIn Learning account to include the courses and certificates you've completed to sell yourself even more. Then, use LinkedIn Resume Builder to create a professional resume from your profile information.

Safety Is All the Rave

The Rave Guardian app is your hub for staying safe at Pitt, from one-touch calls to Pitt Police and anonymous reporting of concerns, to the Safety Timer so friends can make sure you get home safely. Already have it? iOS users need to download the most recent version to fix a critical issue. Download the app today at no cost from the Pitt App Center.

Be Aware of Phishing Scams

Phishing and cyberattacks are surging at Pitt and across the country. You don’t have to be a cybersecurity pro to stay safe. Here are a few routine precautions to adopt:

Don't Approve Random Duo Prompts. You should only approve a prompt you initiate. If you get a random Duo notification, someone may be trying to log into a Pitt service posing as you! Deny the Duo prompt and immediately change your password.
Know A Phishing Attempt When You See One. Phishing emails can spoof a legitimate email domain (like pitt.edu) and clone emails from a company or app you use. Learn how to spot a phishing email and see how to avoid fraudulent employers.
Update Everything. App updates deliver important system and security fixes that address known bugs and vulnerabilities. So don’t turn off or delay Automatic Updates. They only take a few minutes.
Don’t Reuse Passwords; Do Use a Password Manager. To use unique and complex passwords for every account, you'll need a password manager. It generates, saves, and auto-fills passwords - you only need to remember one Master Password.

Tech Hot Topics at Pitt:

Check out Pitt IT’s latest blogs to read about all the topics Pitt IT is thinking about:

New LinkedIn Learning Courses

LinkedIn Learning is the perfect resource for those looking to learn new skills or sharpen old ones. If you’re a Pitt student who is about to graduate, you can learn different tools through courses to enhance your resume. Log into LinkedIn Learning at linkedinlearning.pitt.edu with your Pitt credentials and check out these new courses:

How to Win Trust and Connect Masterfully
Building Better Relationships Through Listening and Validation
Learn Six Sigma for a Sustainable Future
Speaking Up for Yourself and Underrepresented Groups
How to Command the Room, Connect with Your Audience, and Close the Deal
SQL for Finance Professionals