Study Tips

Study Tips

Introduction

You can work at your own pace and at your own time, so you have the benefit of being able to work around other aspects in your life. Your time will also be more productive. However, you also need to motivate yourself and observe certain disciplines to maximise your learning opportunities.

Make a Start

  1. Allow yourself some time to get used to your studyand familiarise yourself with the content.
  2. Read through the assessment workbooks,print them out and keep them handy while you study. Highlight key aspects.
  3. Contact your tutor if you have any questions or need clarification about the tasks. But remember they also have commitments, so they may not be able to devote time to you immediately. If you have an urgent question make mention of this in your communication with your tutor. Remember, email is not always the best way to communicate and resolve your problem/issue. Think carefully about the best way to communicate with your tutor on the issue.
  4. Make a start! Once you get started you will soon get into the swing of things. Don't worry if you don't get it right the first time as you will receive feedback  There is no penalty for resubmitting work.
  5. Building your confidence.Also, it takes at least the completion of one task before you feel more confident about things such as how much you need to hand in, how much time you need to devote, how to best answer questions, and so on. Talk about your study with your tutor during your scheduled meetings.
  6. Don't get bogged down. Your tutor will give you feedback if you're not handing in enough, or if you hand in too much. Don't try to be a perfectionist!
  7. Keeping Your Computer Organised. Keep your computer files organised. Create a folder for your study to keep all your work safely stored on your computer. If you are studying a full certificate course, create subfolders for each unit.

Unproductive time

There may be a point when you are studying that you become unproductive. Learn to recognise this point and take a break.

Organise your time into "blocks" and have a goal for each. Try to set aside at least an hour for each sitting, and stick to the time you've set yourself. Develop your study timetable and enter the dates into your diary. It will help you to keep yourself flexible but organised. Don't expect to be able to see into the future with certainty with regard to timeframe but do “budget” your time, then be flexible.

Minimise distractions: close the door, put the answering machine on, switch off your mobile phone, and try to set aside time away from the family if possible.  Tell family members you are studying and you don't want to be disturbed.

People learn more if they take a "practical" approach to study. Try to relate the material to your own personal experience. Leave time to reflect on what you are doing and relate it to your own life and your future.

Read your material carefully and don't try to rush through. Take short breaks. Contact your tutor if you need clarification; don't soldier on unnecessarily.

Don't forget to take a break but put a time limit on it

Enjoy your course!   

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