Over the last month I have been sharing some tips to help you succeed at your online course. In the final instalment of our study tips series we have some tips you may not have considered before, to help you be successful, when it comes to study.
Talk About It
Have you told your friends and family that you are studying? Research shows that you are more likely to stick to a course if your friends, family and co-workers know that you are doing it. Once your ‘network’ knows about what you are doing, it will become part of the conversations you have with them; which has the effect of keeping it to the forefront of your mind. If no one knows you are studying it can be too easy to delegate it to the backroom of your mind.
Quick tip: If you are struggling with staying motivated ask a friend or family member to check up on you and read your assignments before you submit them. You could also team up with a fellow student so that you can support each other. You can do this through the Academy forums or speak to your tutor about additional support.
Ask Questions
This may seem obvious but one of the things that ‘distance learners’ are consistently guilty of, is not asking questions. If you don’t understand something, ASK. It’s been said a zillion times but I will reiterate it here for those of you who feel too shy to contact your tutors and ask the questions that are playing on your mind: the only dumb question is the one you don’t ask.
Study in comfort
Ideally you will have a Home Office that you can ‘retreat’ to when it is time to study. But even if you don’t, you need to give consideration to where you will study. If you need to use space that is used for other purposes in your Home or Office, make sure that you are going to be able to concentrate in this space at the times you have dedicated to study. Working in your Family Room when everyone else in the home is watching television or playing games: is not going to work. Your study area must be free from distractions, well lit and ventilated and not too warm or cool. Ideally this space will feel warm and welcoming to you and be a place you enjoying going to.
If you don’t have a place like this in your home, consider alternative spaces such as your local library.
We hope you have gained something positive from the tips we have shared with you this week & over the last month. If you have some of your own please share them here and if you are ready to get started with your online course, contact us via your nearest campus.
