Study Skills Every Learner Needs
We have looked into the benefits of distance learning, and why people often find online learning hard. Motivation is often the biggest problem, particularly if you are trying to juggle family life as well as a full-time job. Here at Brooks and Kirk we support our learners through their course, and unlike money-motivated training centres we don’t set deadlines for course completion. To really get the most out of your qualification, here are some tips on how to study from home.
Learning isn’t always enjoyable
Even if you love the subject you are studying, there are always going to be days when your brain just isn’t up to it. The planning aspect is often more fun than the reality of churning out hours of studying. There may be elements of your Assessor qualification that you struggle with, and that is ok. Be kind to yourself, and if you need help, ask for it. Here are some ways you can make learning more fun:
- Invest in some study aids and stationary that makes you feel good. Remember that feeling in September at the start of the school year when you felt you could achieve anything because you had amazing new stationary? Just because you are an adult it doesn’t mean you can’t treat yourself!
- Use a reward system to set and meet targets. On request, we are able to devise Individual Learning Plans (ILPs) for those who need them. An ILP sets goals and ‘risk-free’ deadlines for you to work towards, ensuring you complete your course within a set time frame.
- Remember the reasons why you started studying. Are you looking for a new career to make more time for you? Or are you hoping for a pay rise after you have completed your qualification? Add a post-it note to your desk to keep reminding yourself of why you are spending all this time studying, and how it will all be worth it in the end.
Mistakes are important to make
No one likes making mistakes, and there is always a sense of failure when you get something wrong. However, being a great student means making mistakes and taking on board any feedback given to you. By understanding where you went wrong, you will gain a greater insight into how you can improve moving forward. Here is some advice on how to learn from your mistakes:
- It is ok to not sail through every module with flying colours. Remember you are only human, and identifying areas where you struggle will only help you to understand the subject area more.
- Take the time to review your progress and look back on how far you have actually come since starting the course. The skills you are developing will help you in so many different aspects of your life.
- If you make a mistake, don’t wait too long before you get back into your studying. The longer you leave it, the harder it will become.
No question is a stupid question
Don’t feel like you have to struggle through your course. Your tutors are there to help and support you, so if you aren’t sure about something ask. It may be that you have identified a different approach to a particular subject, which is perfectly ok. We all interpret things differently, so take the time to have a chat with your tutor to make sure you are on the right track.
Sometimes it is good to have a chat with friends and family, who are outside of your professional field. Try and explain the subject area you are currently learning – this is a great way of identifying if you actually understand the topic too!
If you would like more information about the tutor support we provide for our learners, give our friendly team a call today on 01205 805 155.
Steve is a Chartered Manager and a Fellow of the Chartered Management Institute.
He provides Educational Consultancy to the 19+ sector as well as being an Assessor, IQA, EPA and Digital Marketing Professional. When not doing any of these he finds time, every now and then, to write blogs and articles.