It’s always nice to be able to put a face to a name, and in an online course, the feeling of community has to form in a different way than in a traditional class. You can usually add a photo to your profile so it shows every time you post, or you could add an additional picture to your introduction post. If you’re uncomfortable with adding a photo for privacy reasons, that is okay! If it was requested by your instructor, just send them an email about your reservations to let them know why you aren’t adhering to their guidelines. Because you’re posting online, it can be tempting to slip into an informal way of “speaking” by using slang or loose grammar, so pay extra attention to your introduction post. Use full, complete sentences, proper grammar, and make sure to proofread before you hit “submit.” Try reading what you wrote out loud to hear how it sounds—this may help you reword or restructure your introduction for the best flow. Include information about why you’re in the class and about what you do during the rest of your time (either for work or for fun). For example, you could write “Hi, my name is Sharon Izzo, and I work during the day at a nursing home. When I’m not working or in class, I like to spend time with my spouse and our 3 rescue dogs.”  You can also share what city you live in if you’re comfortable with that—many students who are in online classes form study groups that either meet in person or online. Remember that less is more—your classmates will be less likely to read 5 paragraphs than they would 1 succinct paragraph. This is the best way to start building rapport with everyone. Reach out to others who live in the same area or who share the same interests as you. Chances are if you’re in the same program, you might have multiple courses with them over the next 1 or 2 years. Having an active presence in your online class will make your overall experience more gratifying, and it’ll also help you engage more with the material.

Summary: Add a photo if you haven’t done so already. Keep your tone friendly and professional. Share personal and professional information. Respond to your classmates’ posts.


Communication about one's thoughts, feelings, and worries in a respectful and honest way can help to guide trust.  Don't just rely on your spouse to be more open.  Make sure that you both are working towards this.  While you may feel less able to be open and honest when you're hurt, avoid closing yourself off completely if your spouse appears ready and able to communicate.  Think about the ways that you and your spouse differ in communication.  Are you more talkative and expressive with your emotions?  Is your spouse more closed off and hesitant to open up? Be patient with yourself.  Effective communication can be tricky when you're upset.  If you feel like you can't talk without getting angry and upset, state this and end the conversation until you're ready to be more open.  For example, say, "I want to communicate with you more openly, but right now I'm too angry and upset to do so.  I hope that we can continue this conversation in a few hours or later." Find support and guidance from a professional who has helped many couples before.  Therapists with training in marriage and couples counseling can help to foster understanding, trust, and open communication.  See this as a way to learn how to communicate better with your spouse about your needs and concerns about trust.  Many health insurance plans cover some of the costs of counseling.  Look at your health insurance plan about costs involved and a list of counselors in your insurance network. If you would rather pay privately, there may be sliding scale fee options through low-cost counseling centers or private practice therapists.  Contact some counseling centers in your area about options. Consider other counseling resources in your area via churches or places of worship. Take care of yourself in mind and body.  When you make healthy choices for yourself, you can feel more clear-headed about your relationship and what next steps to take. Do things without your spouse that make you feel better and healthier.  Consider these ways to make time for you:  Exercise.  Go to the gym.  Get outdoors. Take walks more often. Try new clothes and things that may you feel good about your body. Do mindfulness exercises such as meditation, yoga, or deep breathing.  This can help to reduce negative thoughts and provide clarity in your thinking.

Summary: Work towards more open communication. Seek marriage counseling. Set aside time to reflect and rejuvenate.


Reach into the sink from above and run the blade of a utility knife through the bead of caulk, all the way around the rim of the sink. Work carefully so you don’t scratch the lip of the opening in the countertop. This caulk helps to hold the undermount sink in place but is primarily there to prevent water from getting between the sink rim and the underside of the counter. Although it will be a tight fit in the sink cabinet, this is safer and easier with a second set of hands helping you. While the second person holds the bottom of the sink, remove the several clips (often 4-6) that pin the sink rim against the underside of the counter. They will either be screwed or epoxied into place.  If they’re attached with screws, simply use a screwdriver to remove them. If they are stuck in place with epoxy, use a putty knife to scrape, pry, and wedge the clips apart from the underside of the counter. Once you remove the clips, the sink will be free to fall, so make sure it’s being held up by someone! Now that the caulk and the clips have been removed, simply guide the sink downward and out of the cabinet. If you are reusing the existing faucet and drain, remove them now. But it’s more likely that you’ll want to install new ones with your new sink. , but not the drain, in the new sink. Unlike with a top-mount sink, don’t install the drain before installing an undermount sink. But it’s easier to install the new faucet now instead of having to work from inside the sink cabinet. Installing a faucet is within the skill set of most DIYers, but the process differs based on the type and model of faucet. Closely follow the instructions that come with the new faucet. Use a silicone caulk designed for bathroom applications. Make sure the bead is continuous around the entire rim of the sink. Like the stuff you removed from the old sink, this caulk is mostly there for waterproofing, but also helps hold the sink in place. Cut a section of 2 in × 4 in (5.1 cm × 10.2 cm) lumber so it’s at least a few inches/centimeters longer than the width of the opening for the sink in the countertop. Lay this piece of wood across the opening. Then, while a second person lifts the new sink up into place from beneath, feed the bar clamp up through the drain opening of the sink so that one of its clamps holds up the sink from below. Secure the other clamp to the piece of wood and tighten it. Make sure the clamp is tight enough to make the some of the silicone caulk squeeze out between the rim of the sink and the underside of the counter. Wipe away this excess caulk with a damp rag. Your new undermount sink will come with support clips to place around the underside of the sink where it meets the underside of the counter. In some cases, these clips may attach with screws. If so, drill pilot holes and use a screwdriver to secure the clips in place. Otherwise, use the brand or type of epoxy recommended by the sink manufacturer. In most cases, the clips are adhered in place with a 2-part epoxy that hardens in about 10 minutes after being combined. Follow the product instructions carefully and apply the proper amount to each clip. Then press them into place as per the installation instructions for your sink. Even though the epoxy should be fully set in 10 minutes, it’s important to give the silicone adhesive time to cure fully. Leave the piece of lumber and bar clamp in place for a day before removing them. After that, you can put the drain in place and continue with the installation.  Like faucets, drain installations vary by type and brand, but the process is DIY-friendly if you follow the instructions carefully. You could rely on the epoxy to hold everything in place after 10 minutes and not wait the full 24 hours before proceeding, but this is not recommended. Be patient!
Summary: Cut through the caulk that connects the sink to the underside of the counter. Remove the holding clips under the sink while supporting it from below. Lower the sink down and out of the cabinet. Install the faucet Apply a bead of silicone caulk around the entire top rim of the sink. Secure the sink in position with a piece of lumber and a bar clamp. Secure the included clips in place with screws or epoxy. Wait 24 hours, then install the drain.