My biggest tip for online students is to not be afraid to ask for help when you need it. In my experience, all the lecturers and teachers at UNE have been understanding, flexible and eager to help. By sending an email, arranging time for a call or even just posting to the forums you are taking such a load off your shoulders to keep on learning without the stress. The staff and students working with you in your course are all eager to help you succeed!
Another tip I have is to become a master of organization. Despite the advantages of online study, you need to be self-motivated and organized to get the most out of your study.
Organisation looks different to everyone, but for me involves writing 2-3 goals for each day of study and listing the smaller steps of each goal. Ticking off from the list brings an amazing sense of accomplishment.
Throughout my course, I have attended online UNE Study Gym conferences for support in subjects such as referencing, exam techniques and time management. I found these really useful to begin building study habits.
If I am not working, I find studying during business hours helpful, but if I have other commitments lined up or irregular shifts at work, I look ahead of time to schedule in study. I think it’s important to reflect on how you learn and consider this when planning study. For me, I work best when breaking my study sessions up into reasonable 3-hour sections before having a longer break.
My desk area is where I keep all my study materials and textbooks, but I am notorious for setting up ‘study camp’ anywhere in the house. A change of scenery always helps refresh my thinking and learning.
Throughout my degree I have worked a number of part time jobs and volunteered with some local organisations to develop more teaching skills. Online study was perfect for fitting into my life and working around my other commitments. A major advantage of this flexibility is being able to spread your workload over the week in a way that suits you best. Time management and organization are the most important factors in juggling uni with all of life’s other commitments. Getting the balance right isn’t easy but considering the reasons I study is powerful motivation!
I am working to become a Primary teacher with the ambition to work in rural NSW. I have always wanted to become a teacher and grew up with an inspiring mother who worked in early intervention, early childhood education and in schools as a teacher’s aide. After considering a few other options during my final year of school, I decided on teaching. My decision to come to UNE was reaffirmed when I was fortunate enough to receive an academic scholarship.
Going on teaching placements is definitely the highlight of my study. It is so empowering to be able to pull all that I have learned into action.
