Michelle works a 9-5 job in the city. She gets home after a long day and cooks dinner, tidies up, and then gets ready for bed. She’s grateful for where she is in life but also wonders if there’s something else out there for her.

Adam is working in his dream job and loves what he does, but he’s a life-long learner and wants to explore other areas of his industry. What’s new and interesting that could help him connect with new clients? Maybe it’s a skill or piece of knowledge that he could pass on to existing clients.

If you identify with Michelle or Adam, then online learning might be for you!

Online learning tips

If your last learning experience was in a classroom with a whiteboard, we get it – online learning may seem intimidating. Never fear! Let’s break it down:

Know what type of learner you are

Everyone processes and retains information in a different way, so it’s important to figure out where you sit. Some things to consider:

• Visual learner: If you’re always on Instagram, Pinterest, or YouTube, visual learning might be for you. Using diagrams, flashcards, and watching videos may help you to retain new information.
• Auditory learner: Do you love podcasts? Would you prefer to listen to a lecture rather than read notes? You may be an auditory learner – someone who prefers to listen to information to absorb it.
• Kinesthetic learner: If you learn best through physical experience, signs point to you being a kinesthetic learner. Real-life experiences and hands-on activities work best for this type of learner.
• Reading/writing learner: Someone who learns best via written material and enjoys writing. Note-taking and using physical materials (books, pen, paper) are your ideal learning tools.

Identifying what type of learner you are will indicate how you will best process and retain new information. Make this your starting point!

Find a study space

Whether it be at your local library, setting up a desk at home, or sitting at a table in the park – find somewhere that is for study and study alone. Distractions surround us on a daily basis, so having a dedicated space that you associate with a specific activity (studying) can help your brain to switch to focus mode. This is especially important for online learners!

Plan your time

Let’s compare this one to going shopping without a grocery list – you walk in, get distracted by the 2 for 1 gum at the counter, forget the milk, and only have half of the ingredients for dinner. Planning ahead and having set goals is the best way to manage and maximise your time.

What are your goals? When are assessments due? What have you already mastered and what do you need to revise? Make a list and organise your studies into blocks of time, as you would for a classroom learning experience (start, break, finish).

Take breaks and reward yourself

This one’s important. Make sure to take breaks and know when to step away – not doing this can lead to burnout and brain fog. Have you been studying for three hours straight? Why not make a snack and go for a walk? You’ll return refreshed and ready to keep going.

It’s also crucial to reward yourself for your hard work. In a classroom, praise may come from teachers or classmates - but if you’re sitting alone in front of your computer, this element may be missing. Reward yourself for both big AND little steps! Did you ace that quiz? Treat yourself to a face mask and glass of wine tonight. Has it been a hard week and you’ve been struggling to keep up? Don’t be so hard on yourself! Meet your friend for coffee and cook a nice dinner.

Have a study toolkit

Gather all your materials and resources before you start studying. Download the PDF, buy the textbook, grab some pens and a whiteboard, and get a study planner app – there are so many resources available for online learners, so don’t feel limited to just one medium. Explore what’s out there and what works best for you (refer back to what type of learner you are to guide you).

Some online learning tools that we recommend:

• MyStudyLife planner
• Chegg
• GoConqr
• Exam Countdown
• Calm

Stay connected

There’s a stark comparison between sitting in front of your laptop and being in a classroom surrounded by your peers. People learn in different ways, however, it’s important to stay connected to others who are sharing a similar experience to you!

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