Should you apply for postgraduate study?

Are you unsure whether you should undertake post graduate study?

Has it been a while since you studied? You've most likely completed a Bachelor Degree and are currently in the workforce so you are an excellent candidate for further study in your field of knowledge and expertise. 

A recent conversation with a friend led me to write this post. My friend wasn't sure whether she should study again, especially seeing as it had been a long time since she had last attended University. She had completed her undergraduate before online learning had come about. These days, enrolling in subjects, signing up for tutorials, searching for journal articles, participating in discussions with other students and submission of assignments can all be done online.

Learning has never been easier. Whether you decide to be an on campus student, an online learner or a mixture of both, studying has never been so accessible and flexible! 

Here are five tips for enrolling in postgraduate studies:

1) Choose your postgraduate study

There are postgraduate certificates and degrees or if you have completed a degree with honours, you may want to look at undertaking research for a Doctorate. Research courses at different Universities as many have studying by distance options. This opens up the choice of available courses.

2) Choose your area of study 

Ask yourself is there anything you would like to specialise in. Carefully check the pre-requisites for entry into the course as some require the area of study to be in the same stream as your undergraduate degree. Many courses can be tailored to meet your learning needs.

3) Choose your mode of study

If you're working full-time, enrolling in 1-2 subjects per semester would be doable. Take into consideration that postgraduate studies are typically shorter than undergraduate degrees. Even if you are an on campus student, there will still most likely be an online component.

4) Fitting Uni in with your life

With your life busy with work, family and social commitments, how do you fit in Uni? Think of your postgraduate studies as a hobby. You know how to learn, you are just having fun in a field that's already familiar. Organise yourself so that you find the balance in your life.  Use a calendar and schedule in the weekends when study is a must and include important birthdays, events etc to work around. 

5) Embrace the new way of studying at University

Teaching and learning at University has changed a lot especially over the last decade. It's okay to feel overwhelmed at first. You will have tech staff at the Univeristy to help you with logging on and email etc. As a postgraduate student, there will be a smaller number of students than in an undergraduate course therefore you'll be able to get to know the lecturers better- even online! They are there to help you! And join a study support network like eDegree for some great study tips  ( yep shameless plug!).

Studying and working

Studying and working can be done. It is just a matter of whether you work part time, full time, casually and have children in the mix. You may need to consider a part time study load at the beginning and increase the number of units the following semester if you think you can juggle you time and work commitments.

One thing that I cannot reiterate enough is to have a diary and use it! It can be a physical or an electronic one. Either way, diarise all your assignment due dates, dedicated study hours as well as social and work commitments to help you plan your semester. Don’t forget to include break days such as that Saturday trip to the beach!

As a mum of one who works from home part time and studies full time, I can only provide an insight from that perspective. I invite you to comment below with your tips on how you juggle your study load and work commitments.

Remember it can be done - just take one day at a time :)

Making friends at University

Making friends at University (Uni) when an external student is a little more difficult than if you are attending lectures on campus. You are not likely to see fellow students face to face unless you attend an Intensive School (where you attend a few days on campus with other external students) or have an examination with other students from your area.However, you can get to know people quite well through online communication.

Here are my tips to getting to know others in your course.

1. Introduce yourself in your online unit and read fellow students introductions – comment if someone has a similar interest to you or lives in a nearby location.
2. Find out who lives in your area that is studying your units. Usually a list of names and locations are made available to students studying the same units.
3. If attending an Intensive school, organise to meet with someone you have been chatting to within the unit.
4. If group work is required within a unit, join early, introduce yourself and make regular contributions.
5. Contribute to forum discussions and comment on fellow students posts. It is a great way to learn more about a person.

Your time at University is not only about learning but it also has an important social aspect. You never know, you might just find a lifelong friend!

Residential Schools

“The hardest thing to open is a closed mind.”
Author Unknown

Many Universities that offer external studies require students to attend a residential school or intensive school. This is where you need to attend the University for approximately three to five days.

Usually the cheapest way is to stay on campus in the dormitories if this option is available. The alternative is to source private accommodation at a nearby motel which can work out to be quite expensive.

Residential schools are what you make it. It is a time to meet and get to know your fellow students face to face and possibly make lasting friendships. Although the timetable scheduling can be full on with lecture after lecture and tutorial after tutorial, make the most of the opportunity by networking with other students and lecturers.

Ensure you are well prepared for lectures and tutorials with appropriate notes, texts and pen and paper or your laptop. You will find you will gain further insights and possible hints and tips for the exam and assignment. It is also a great opportunity to speak with your lecturer if you have any questions regarding aspects of the unit.

Your first residential school can be daunting but go in with an open mind and think of it as an adventure.
My top 5 tips for a successful residential school;
1. Keep an open mind - going in with a positive mindset
2. Get to know someone in your online tutorial group and plan to meet up with them
3. Familiarise yourself with a map of the campus – usually downloadable from your University website
4. Be prepared – read the text chapter required before arriving on your first day, have a notepad and pen ready
5. Smile and socialise with fellow students – there will be lots of interesting people to meet!

Studying and parenting

Studying while you have young children can be done! It just requires some organisation and routine. Depending on how young your children are, I recommend using child care two days per week. These will become your study days. If money is a problem or your child/ren are too young to attend child care, focus on their sleep times to get your study done.

First, get yourself a diary. Schedule in all family events, extracurricular activities and assignment due dates. Work out the regular days you can do study and write ‘study’ on those days. Aim to set aside two full days.

From your unit information and study schedule provided by your tertiary institution you will see what is required for the first week. So, if it is article XYZ and chapter 1 and 2 of your text for unit EDNE then write that down under your first ‘study’ day. As you complete your study, tick off what you achieve. If you don’t get it done the first day transfer the work to your next study day.

Work study in around your life. Print off and read articles before you go to bed, take your text book to the hairdresser or when you take your child to their gymnastics class. That’s an extra hour of work you can tick off your study schedule that week! Look for opportunities to do a little bit of extra study.

If you have an assignment due or an examination coming up, ensure you have organised time without your children so you can get the assignment polished and your pre-prepared to sit your examination – even if it is online you will need peace and quiet!

There will be days that you will think ‘this is all too hard’ but think about the final outcome and what that will provide for you and your family. Reward yourself when you finish an assignment or you have done extra study and take regular break to walk the dog or do something one on one with your child. Keep yourself motivated because you can do this!

Don’t be the loafer.

When studying either externally or on campus, at some stage you may be required to do a group assignment as part of your assessment.

This can be a frustrating type of assignment especially if you have a loafer in your group. A loafer is one that doesn’t do the work required but expects the credit at the end.

Join an online group as soon as possible as I find those who join first are usually on the ball and ready to work. A wiki is usually where online group work will take place. If there are topics where you are assigned as a leader, ask questions for the others to answer.

Remember the due date is there for a reason but don’t leave your answers and ideas until the last day as the topic leader needs to summarise and most likely post a group response in the forums. Don’t use ‘I work all week’ or ‘it’s not due until tomorrow’ as an excuse not to check the wiki and provide your input. It is better to be up-to-date and involved with the discussion than to whinge that you didn’t get your input posted.

If you are unfortunate enough to have a loafer in your group, you may need to send them a private email along the lines of ‘I hope you are okay, such and such is due tomorrow’. If they do not respond to the group by the deadlines, keep moving along with the topic. The lecturer will read the wiki posts and ascertain who participated actively within the group and who did not respond enough.

You may have the opportunity to do an individual reflective essay on the group assignment where you can talk about participation within the group including the positives and negatives.

Ensuring that you take accountability for your participation in the group will mean an enriched learning experience for you.

5 ways to conquer procrastination

Tired looking at the same white page? Looking and taking any out possible so you don’t have to complete an assignment that is due next Monday?
If you are a procrastinator or experience writer’s block, try these tips to help you get that assignment done and dusted.

1. Just write! It doesn’t have to have referencing, correct spelling and punctuation, just your ideas either written or typed.

2. Jump on to your University forum for inspiration from fellow students who are studying the same topic

3. Talk to your friend, sister, brother, neighbour about the topic your assignment is about. Bouncing ideas off others can sometimes help get your head around what you are going to write.

4. Give yourself a mini reward if you write 100 words. This could be check your email, grab a snack or check your phone. Give yourself a bigger reward if you write your first draft such as read a magazine or take the dog for a walk.

5. Reread your assessment information and write down the key words including words relating to the topic and words on how to write the assignment. This can help with getting a plan of attack to write your assignment.

What is Emotional Intelligence (EI)? And how can it help with my study?

Emotional Intelligence(EI) is about using your emotions constructively for yourself and with others. It is not about your academic intelligence it is about being aware of your own emotions and the emotions of others around you.

Studying can actually increase your EI as you are developing relationships with new people. You are using your EI when writing about your learning and when you are probably seeking help from peers or lecturers to help with your study. You will have the opportunity to increase your EI when you join study groups, join in on forum discussions and identify group dynamics. By being self-aware of your own emotions and how you react to others and vice versa you can increase positive communication and enhance your learning.

EI can help you lead a successful life. Working on your EI can decrease your stress levels and aid in dealing with challenges – which you will probably come across a few whilst studying! Studying provides the opportunity to set boundaries, make decisions and communicate.

There are many Emotional Intelligence tests on the internet available and they only take a few minutes. I highly recommend taking one as it will help you get to know YOU!

10 ways to beat study stress

10 ways to beat study stress
1. Deep breathing
Deep breathing provides fresh oxygen to your brain allowing you to feel more calm and alert.

2. Exercise
30 minutes of exercise a day will make your body and mind feel more energised and take your mind off that next assignment that is due. It will help you burn not only calories but any frustrations.

3. Herbal tea
Have a cup of your favourite herbal tea and sit back and relax.

4. Yoga
Try out some yoga poses – yoga stretches and relaxes your body. Great for both men and women

5. Take a break
Read a chapter of a non-text book, ring a friend for a chat, walk outside and spend time with your pet. Whatever you choose make sure it is away from your computer and your study space.

6. Discuss your topic
Discuss your topic with a friend who has a good ear to listen or with a fellow student to exchange ideas. Just talking out aloud about any problems you have with a topic can help find the answers.

7. Schedule Time
Put extra time aside for any work you need to catch up on. This may mean you have to say ‘no’ to helping out a friend or Friday drinks. Remember you want to reduce your stress levels so catching up on or getting ahead with study will help do this.

8. Ask for help
If you are struggling with an assignment – email or ring your lecturer. You will find they will be happy to help you. Ensure you have specific questions to ask and let them know where you are up to in your study.

9. Sleep
Are you getting enough sleep every night? If you are tired everyday you will find it difficult to concentrate. If you have young children this may be a tough task, but do the best you can to get adequate sleep.

10. Music
Bring music back into your life. Turn on your iPod and dance around the lounge or go for a walk. If you have music downloaded on your computer – turn them on! You will be amazed how your favourite music can put you in a good mood.

10 Tips To Kick-Start Your New Study Year

10 Tips to kick start your new study year
It is the start of the New Year and many are first year University students studying via distance for the first time. Elearning is a great way to further your education and get to exactly where you want to be. Receiving all your University material at once can be quite overwhelming. It is best to take small steps and ease yourself into your new study year. Here are ten tips to kick start your new elearning year;
1. Ease yourself into the new semester
- start with navigating your way around the university site
- read through your assignments and study topics
- work out what you will need to read first

2. Organise Yourself
-De-clutter your study space
-Refill your black and colour ink cartridges
-schedule study times
- have plenty of printer paper and pens on hand

3. Order Your Textbooks
- you will need them by the first day of the teaching period.
-order second hand textbooks to reduce costs

4. Prepare your diary
-schedule in important events ie: weddings, birthdays
-write in your assignment due dates
-write in the exam period

5. Introduce yourself to your fellow students
- most of your communication will be online so introduce yourself on the online forum
- include your name, year of study, location and something interesting about yourself
-join online study groups if available

6. Eat well
- eat plenty of fruit and vegetables everyday
-get adequate sleep every night
- you need to have an alert mind

7. Exercise everyday
- even if you only have time for 15 minutes!
- try yoga and stretching
- vary your routine so you don’t get bored
- alert body = alert mind

8. Get into good habits now
- stick to your study schedule
- check your University email regularly
- log on to University forums daily
- use your diary

9. Write down your goals
- have long term and short term goals
- write down what you need to accomplish each study session ie: read article xyz
- reward yourself regularly

10. Remind Yourself
- the overwhelming feeling will go away
- take one day at a time, take one week at a time
- tick of the study schedule as you go
- the more you use online tools , the easier they will become to use

No longer do you have to think ‘where do I start?’ – you have already started. You have taken the first steps to further your education – well done!

What's your learning style?

Welcome to the new University year! Many are students starting their first year of their degree others are continuing students. Whichever you are - are you prepared? By now you will have enrolled in your units, received your textbooks or just waiting on the final couple to arrive in the post and begun looking through unit information to see what assignments you will have to do over the semester.

Do you know your learning style?

A popular theory into learning styles is Howard Gardner’s Multiple Intelligences. Professor Gardner suggests that there are eight kinds of intelligences. These are Logical, Visual, Kinaesthetic, Musical, Naturalist, Interpersonal, Intrapersonal and Verbal. Think about which category you most likely would fall in to by reading the attributes of each intelligence below. You will find that you will have strengths in most areas, however you will most likely be more prominent in one or two of the intelligences.

Logical people are usually good at:
-computer games
-problem solving
-can compute number in your head
-patterns and sequences
-conducting experiments
You learning style will most likely include doing all your work using the computer and using diagrams to structure your assignments.

Visual people are usually good at:
-see clear images when you close your eyes
-like to use a camera or video camera
- puzzles and other visual games
-creating web page and powerpoint presentations
-using colour and shape
Your learning style will most likely include designing mind maps and online lectures with video.

Kinaesthetic people are usually good at:
-engaging in sport or physical activity
-making things with their hands
-thinking of ideas during physical activity
-using body gestures
-role playing
Your learning style will most likely include constructing models and using pen and paper or the keyboard.

Musical people are usually good at:
-holding a tune
-knowing if a musical note is off-key
-listening to music regularly
-playing an instrument
-remembering jingles
Your learning style will most likely include listening to music whilst you study and using music to remember unit content.

Naturalistic people are usually good at:
-backpacking, hiking or walking in nature
-volunteering for nature related groups
-looking after animals
-finding and researching local and global environmental concerns
-collecting natural objects
Your learning style will most likely include a serene study space including as alternative study setting close to nature.

Interpersonal people are usually good at:
-intuiting other’s feelings
-person-to-person communication
-group sports
-getting involved in social activities
-being surrounded by people
Your learning style will most likely include using forums, chat rooms and wikis as the main mode of studying.

Intrapersonal people are usually good at:
-meditating on their own
-keeping a journal or diary
-creating their own schedule for completing work
-setting short term and long term goals
-carrying out an independent project
Your learning style will most likely include a blog and an well-organised diary system.

Verbal people are usually good at:
-reading books regularly
-listening to the radio or to spoken words
-word games like Scrabble and Boggle
-leading an oral discussion or debate
-giving an oral presentation
Your learning style will most likely include using forums to lead a discussion of interest and word processors to type notes.

So, what's your learning style?

This has been excerpted from Jilly Stansfields book 'eDegree' due to be released in December 2010.