Create a Study Schedule and build in personal time. Sit down and write out your week’s plan; one of those diaries with the times written in already are super helpful.

Start out by marking in those times of day that are fixed for you – this might be work / school pick up / drop off times, or permanent work shifts you have. Now start looking at other times of the day and start considering, where can you schedule in study time?

You need to find around 10-15 hours per week for most courses. This weekly commitment helps ensure you complete course work within your enrolment period. If you can only fit in less study, then you may need to plan for an extension.

Whilst it is tempting to schedule entire days for studying, when it comes to home-based study, most of us cannot concentrate for more than two hours at a time. So schedule in short bursts of study, or plenty of study breaks.

If you do need to schedule entire days, it is a good idea to set your alarm for every one - two hours to get up, stretch your legs, water the garden or throw a ball for the dog for a few minutes to relax and blow the cobwebs out.

Remember though, this is your study time. Don’t be tempted to tackle other tasks (like vacuuming or washing) as this will only open the door for you to deviate from your study plans and you’ll lose focus. Just like going to work, the time you allocate to study needs to be honoured and you need to show up in those times as a commitment to yourself.

Having balance with your study schedule is more important than burning the candle day, in day out.

Ideally, having a full day off each week not only is good for your mental well-being, but will rejuvenate your brain full enabling you to absorb more information and increase productivity. Simply schedule at least one half day or a full day every week so you have some time to have a life.

After a few assignments you may begin to realise how much work can be involved, especially with resubmissions to do. Don’t be scared or get caught up in overwhelm. This is your brain tricking you into thinking you have heaps to do and will never finish.

To avoid getting into this headspace, rather than diving right into your study, break it up into chunks. You wouldn’t pick up a 400gm T Bone steak and eat it without cutting it up would you (or maybe you would LOL).

At the beginning of each subject, sit down and work out what is needed to complete it. Work out what date you should have each section, exam or assignment done by and break it up into little chunks of work.

Always give yourself a little more time than you need for each section, that way, if you go well you’ll finish ahead of schedule and you’ll feel AMAZING.

You can also create a focus on a project or outcome each day – using questions like – ‘what progress can I make on my studies today’ is a helpful way to break things down and reduce overwhelm.

You’re not the ONLY one studying right now! In fact, many many other students are sitting in their bedrooms, kitchens or on the lounge studying the same course you’re studying too!

Studying via online courses can feel isolating. You’re at home, all alone and there are no other students in the room with you. But do you really need others to be in the same room as you? At least with nobody in the room you can wear that food stained T-Shirt and nobody else minds ;-).

We have several avenues to prevent you from feeling isolated. If google isn’t quite cutting it and your dog doesn’t know the answer despite bribing him with biscuits, you might need an actual human to help out. To tap into our support you can:

1. Live chat - jump on live and talk to our Nurse Educators. This is especially helpful when you’re stuck on a small point or having issues with a case study. In the Learning Centre, look for the Chat Now box and follow the prompts.
2. Facebook group - this is a closed group of current students and graduates who you can chat with, bounce ideas and talk with real people. Click here to visit.
3. Call us - Pick up the phone and give our nurse educators a call to talk through more specific issues. See our numbers here.
4. Wellbeing call - Book a support call with our Student wellbeing coach.

This doesn’t just work for our patients you know……. That’s right, find yourself a reward for your hard work! Set yourself little goals, it might be as simple as if you get your two hours of study done today you get a Freddo Frog. Or it might be as big as each time a subject is finished, you’ll buy yourself a new outfit or pair of shoes, or go see a movie with a friend.

Whatever works for you, give yourself something that you’d consider a treat each time you reach a goal.

Are you someone who stresses easily or gets overwhelmed? You might like to consider learning some de-stressing techniques like meditation or yoga. You will learn the most and be productive when you are relaxed.

Yes, it is true that some people will be more productive when they have deadlines and things, but even these people need to be relaxed whilst working to a deadline. Incorporate your relaxation techniques into your study days.

For example, every two hours when your alarm goes off and you get up and have a stretch and break from your study, think to yourself, are you feeling stressed? If you are, take an extra ten minutes to relax and breath. You’ll more than make up this extra ten minutes in being super productive afterwards, promise!

Checkout our study specific meditation tracks and positive affirmation audio downloads to help you stay calm and focused.

Set the scene for productive study by making sure that you have everything you need. This means exercise or eat first so you are fresh and focused.

• Snacks
  • Keep plenty of water nearby (or maybe a coffee) and don’t forget some healthy brainfood snacks! Dont allow yourself to get into the nasty habit of using a trip to the kitchen as a way to procrastinate – do all this first and you will be more productive.
• Create a useful environment
  • Make sure the environment is right: some people work better with music playing, others like the TV and some want it to be super quiet.
  • Lighting:can you see the textbook properly?
  • Space:do you have enough? Studying on the couch might seem like a nice idea, but honestly ask yourself, do you need more room and is the lighting right there?
  • Posture: If you get a sore neck or back easily, then sitting in the middle of the room on the floor and laying all your books out around you is only going to make you start to fidget and lose concentration, not to mention cause more neck or back issues.

No matter what, always remember why you are studying. And lastly don’t forget, anyone who studies does so to learn. This means you are not meant to know everything straight away. Nobody has ever looked back on their study and wished they never did it, but plenty look back and regret not finishing it!

So go create your Study Schedule, practice some Self-care and go be successful.