Top Ten Tips for... new students!
At cHRysos we are big advocates of learning – whatever your age or stage in your career.
Here are our Top 10 Tips for new students.
1. Think about your employability
If you’re thinking of taking the next step on the career ladder, you need to know what qualifications or experience you need to get you there. What will get you the job you’re after? It’s worth asking any senior colleagues or mentors at work how they climbed the career ladder and what they would recommend your next steps should be. If it’s an entirely different industry you’re studying for, then think about seeking advice from a careers advisor or your local chamber of commerce.
2. Stay organised
Realistically, how much time will you have to dedicate to your studies? Whether you are enrolling on a short-term course or aspire to achieve a qualification which will take a year or longer, you will inevitably need to give up some of your spare time. Think about your work schedule and family commitments, what time you have available and if you’re likely to stick to it. Is it likely to be enough?
3. Consider who will support your learning
It’s unrealistic to think that you won’t need some support to achieve your goals, especially if you’re juggling work, a busy home and social life. It’s worth having a discussion with your boss or mentor at work to see if they can help you. They may offer you flexible shifts or a quiet place to study. Your family members may also be able to support you by helping to free up some of your time at home.
4. Consider your preferred learning style
How you like to learn now may be completely different to what you did at college and university when lectures and exams were determined by lecturers and course providers. Now there’s more choice about how you achieve your qualifications. For example, do you like to study alone, in a quiet space away from others? Or do you like a more interactive approach and like to learn with others? This may help you decide whether you go for an online Open University type course or attend training/learning in person.
5. Meet other students
Learning still needs to be fun and engaging, whatever age you are. Socialising and learning with other students will make the process more rewarding and it will give you the chance to bounce ideas and concerns off each other. After all, two brains are better than one! Getting together to discuss the lecture or assignment with help you to memorise the topics, share ideas and to reduce anxiety and stress leading up to exams or deadlines.
6. Don’t let anything hold you back
Not everyone’s learning journey goes to plan but a tough start doesn’t mean you can’t go on to exceed your own expectations or those of others. You may have failed in the past but that doesn’t mean learning is completely off the cards for you for ever. Everyone deserves another chance to develop themselves and to be the best they can be. To prepare, think about what challenges you may face and how you’d potentially overcome them.
7. Keep it manageable
Keeping motivated when you’re juggling a new course with work and family life can be tough and your motivation can play a huge part in keeping you on track. When things get tricky, break it down into manageable, bite sized steps – focus on one assignment, essay or lecture at a time.
8. Celebrate your milestones
There are lots of tricks you can use to help keep you feeling inspired and motivated, especially if you celebrate your achievements along the way. Why not set yourself rewards for the milestones you have reached? This could be anything from a meal out at your favourite restaurant for every module completed, to a well-earned holiday once you have graduated.
9. Think about your personal skills
Learning and development isn’t just about qualifications and an impressive CV but also about the way you have personally evolved. Considering what your strongest personal attributes are and how you want to progress further is just as important. For example, you might want to develop your management or team leadership skills or your confidence in a certain aspect of your job. Being a part of a new learning environment can be the perfect opportunity to do this.
10. Boost your learning skills
Developing your skills to be an effective learner is just as important as what you’re actually studying. Basic things such as internet skills, touch typing, effective researching and how to manage the IT package linked to your specialist area, will all help to speed up the learning process and help you to concentrate on the parts that really matter.
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cHRysos HR Solutions are a UK wide HR training and consultancy company offering CIPD accredited qualifications, Apprenticeships, Training and HR Services to SMEs. For more information about how cHRysos HR can help you or your teams successfully achieve further qualifications, contact us on info@chrysos.org.uk or call 03300 562443.