Online Management Degree Programs

A accredited online management degree is ideal for people with good analytical, leadership and communication skills. This prepares business school graduates for careers in business.

A business management degree prepares you for the role business managers or administrator, depending on the degree of responsibility and authority and the company structure. They manage a wide range of support services for organizations like insurance companies, computer manufacturers and government offices. Responsibilities for business managers include assessments of marketing opportunities, researching target markets and competition, following up with customers and sales, writing proposals and developing business models. The goal is to maintain or improve the company's profile, expand the firm's product reach and profit revenues by identifying likely markets and developing strategic plans. A business management degree prepares students to plan, manage, and run the practices of an organization or firm. Management and leadership degree programs prepare graduates with knowledge of current business practices including leading employees and managing projects.

Online Human Resource Management Schools

No matter where you're located, one of our online schools can help you advance your career. Click on the "Request Information" link below located next to the program you are interested in. There is no cost or obligation. You can request information from as many schools as you like.

Berkeley College - Online

Bachelors Degree - Management - Human Resources Management

Capella University

Master of Science in Human Services - General Human Services Master of Science in Human Service - Gerontology Doctor of Philosophy in Organization and Management - Human Resource Management Bachelor of Science in Business - Human Resource Management Doctor of Philosophy in Human Services - General Human Services Master of Business Administration - Human Resource Management

Colorado Technical University Online

Master of Business Administration - Human Resource Management Bachelor of Science - Business Administration - Human Resource Management

Duluth Business University

Human Services

eCornell

Certificate - Human Resources - Systems and Processes in HR Certificate - Human Resources - Strategic Human Resources Certificate - Human Resources - Selection and Staffing Certificate - Human Resources - Performance Management Certificate - Human Resources - Employee Relations Certificate - Human Resources - Benefits and Compensation Certificate - Human Resources

Franklin Pierce University

MBA - Human Resource Management

Kaplan University Online

Master of Business Administration - Human Resources Management Bachelor of Science - Management - Human Resources Management

Penn Foster College

Associates Degree - Business Management - HR Management

Regions University

Bachelors Degree - Human Resource Leadership Bachelors Degree - Human Development

Upper Iowa University Online

Bachelors Degree - Human Services Bachelors Degree - Human Resource Management MBA - Human Resources Management

Virginia College - Online

Associates Degree - Human Resources Management

Western Governors University

Bachelors Degree - Business--Human Resource Management

Bachelor of Human Resource Management (BS)

The Bachelor of Human Resource Management program is offered online via distance learning. After evaluating both academic record and life experience, AIU staff working in conjunction with Faculty and Academic Advisors will assist students in setting up a custom-made program, designed on an individual basis. This flexibility to meet student needs is seldom found in other distance learning programs. Our online program does not require all students to take the same subjects/courses, use the same books, or learning materials. Instead, the online Bachelor of Human Resource Management curriculum is designed individually by the student and academic advisor. It specifically addresses strengths and weaknesses with respect to market opportunities in the student’s major and intended field of work. Understanding that industry and geographic factors should influence the content of the curriculum instead of a standardized one-fits-all design is the hallmark of AIU’s unique approach to adult education. This philosophy addresses the dynamic and constantly changing environment of working professionals by helping adult students in reaching their professional and personal goals within the scope of the degree program.

Important: Below is an example of the topics or areas you may develop and work on during your studies. By no means is it a complete or required list as AIU programs do not follow a standardized curriculum. It is meant solely as a reference point and example. Want to learn more about the curriculum design at AIU? (Course and Curriculum)

Core Courses and Topics in Human Resource Management:

• Employee Relations
• Recruitment and Selection
• Benefits and Compensation
• Performance and Reward
• Training and Development
• Business Statistics
• Human Resources Management: Industry Specific I
• Human Resources Management: Industry Specific II
• International Management
• Introduction to Economics
• Environmental Management
• Decision Making
• HRM Techniques
• Principles of Managerial Accounting
• International Business Law
• Legal Context of Employment Relations
• Project Management
• Strategic Human Resource Management
• Human Resource Information Systems
• Strategic Management

Orientation Courses:

• Communication & Investigation (Comprehensive Resume)
• Organization Theory (Portfolio)
• Experiential Learning (Autobiography)
• Academic Evaluation (Questionnaire)
• Fundament of Knowledge (Integration Chart)
• Fundamental Principles I (Philosophy of Education)
• Professional Evaluation (Self Evaluation Matrix)
• Development of Graduate Study (Guarantee of an Academic Degree)

Earn a Master's Degree in Financial Planning

The objective of the MBA degree in Financial Planning program is to develop competent and caring professionals who are confident in their judgment, ethical and strong in character, and sensitive to the needs of their clients. The program strives to provide an academically rigorous and intellectually challenging curriculum in an environment which stimulates personal growth and the highest standards of professionalism.

Curricula and rigorous coursework reflect a multidisciplinary approach to this specialized MBA that prepares students to serve their future clients by integrating online financial planning courses, research and analysis, with experience and ethics. Challenging courses focus on students’ personal and professional long-term success, and give students the key advantage of preparation for the CFP Certification Examination.

The online Financial Planning courses, and MBA courses, are offered year round in five 8-week terms. For busy professionals seeking to advance their careers through the acquisition of knowledge, a credential or degree, the online program is ideal in terms of convenience and scheduling flexibility. The accelerated format of the program allows a student to complete the program in less than two years if desired.

The MBA degree in Financial Planning requires students to attend a program comprised of 16 courses totaling 48 credits: eight MBA general courses, followed by eight MBA financial planning courses, including a capstone course. The capstone course must be taken as the last course in the program.

Download a Program Brochure...
Program Benefits

Students become eligible to sit for the CFP® certification examination
MBA in Financial Planning increases the possibilities of attracting more high net worth clients
All 16 courses have a financial services focus and dedication
Classes are structured, but flexible and easily accommodate busy working professionals
Professors and tutors are accessible and take a personal interest in student success
Courses are taught by a dedicated faculty including tenured faculty who are experts in their field
The accelerated format allows students to complete the program in one and a half years or less

Make an Effective College Degree Plan

College is one of the most important educational levels that all people should finish (preferably with flying colors) if they want to succeed in life and get good high-paying jobs to secure their future. However, before the future comes you will have to overcome much pressure from varying difficult college courses may make your college life like hell.

Thus, here are some tips that you need to know so you can arrange/organize all college activities, projects, and assignments accordingly for you to be able successfully finish your degree at the right time:

• First of all, you need to have a general plan about the future that you want and choose a course that can help you achieve your goal in life. Enrolling in a course you are really interested in will keep you from giving up and shifting to other courses whenever times may seem too tough.

• Next thing to do is to create your very own balanced 4-year college degree plan. A college degree plan is vital as it serves as a general guide for you when it comes to finishing your career and acquiring the needed courses to propel you to a nice job after college.

Your college degree plan should be divided according to the semesters of each school year until graduation so you are able to see the whole picture individually and collectively. This will give you the advantage of preparing well for your future.

To make a college degree plan, you need to have a notebook wherein you can list down all the needed school and course requirements during the entire 4 year college course you choose to take. You should have listed pertinent data which includes: Collegiate requirements such as GPA; credit hours you need to finish every semester on every school year; major subjects, minor subjects, electives, practicum requirements, and internship policies.

• Next step would be to take up courses that allow one to finish the core educational classes typically during the first two semesters of the first collegiate year. This practice will help lighten course subjects for the students during the next 3 years of college.

• Generally, a college course is presented in a syllabus outlining the courses you need to finish each year. There may also be rotating schedules for particular course subjects, thus you need to get updated each semester so you can avoid extending your college years just because you missed taking one or more subjects due to circulation.

• Lastly, as a student you need to do all you can to finish all course subjects and electives within their allotted time so they can graduate without any extensions.

A college degree plan also needs to be updated as curriculum and school policies also change over the course of time. The most important thing to remember is to keep track of the credit hours and course requirements that you need to finish so you can graduate with flying colors within your 4 year college time frame.

Accounting - Beedie School of Business
Program

Accounting identifies, measures and communicates economic information to external groups such as investors, and to internal groups, such as managers. You take accounting courses in the core degree program as well as elective courses in tax, auditing, advanced and international accounting. Most accounting courses count toward the professional designations of Chartered Accountant (CA), Certified Management Accountant (CMA) or Certified General Accountant (CGA).

Degree offered: BBA

Career opportunities
Accounting Coordinator, Accounting Technician, Appraiser, Audit & Assurance Associate, Bank Manager, Budget Analyst, Certified Accountant (CGA, CA, CMA, CPA), Commercial Account Manager, Corporate Financial Controller, Cost Accountant, Environmental Accountant, Financial Auditor, Litigation Accountant, Internal Accountant, Internal Auditor, Partner, Public Accountant, Risk Management Assessor, Sole Practitioner, Staff Accountant, Tax Specialist.


Admission Requirements

Criteria

For admission to the Beedie School of Business, students will be selected competitively from one of the following four streams. To be considered for admission to the faculty, students in categories 2, 3 and 4 must have completed each lower division required course with a minimum C- grade.
Category 1 – direct from secondary school

A portion of the annual admission will be selected from secondary school graduates based on the general Simon Fraser University admission requirements (plus mathematics 12*), combined with an assessment of overall leadership potential and extra-curricular achievements. Successful applicants will have experience in one or more of the following extra-curricular areas: entrepreneurship, social activism, athletics, arts (performing, visual, music, and writing), community leadership and/or involvement, career progression or other areas.
Category 2 – direct from a recognized post-secondary institution

A portion of the annual admission will be selected from studentswho have completed all of their courses at Simon Fraser University including the lower division requirement courses (except BUS 207 and 254 which may be completed after faculty admission). Students will be selected competitively based on grades achieved in the nine lower division required courses** with a maximum of two repeated courses on those nine lower division courses. Note that a minimum Simon Fraser University cumulative grade point average (CGPA) of 2.4 is required.
Category 3 – all courses at Simon Fraser University

A portion of the annual admission will be selected from students who have completed all of their courses at Simon Fraser University including the lower division requirement courses (except BUS 207 and 254 which may be completed after faculty admission). Students will be selected competitively based on the grades achieved in the nine lower division required courses,** with a maximum of two repeated courses on those nine lower division courses. Note that a minimum Simon Fraser University cumulative grade point average (CGPA) of 2.4 is required.
Category 4 – some Simon Fraser University and other post-secondary courses

A portion of the annual admission will be selected from students who have completed some courses at Simon Fraser University and some at other post-secondary institutions including the lower division requirement courses (except BUS 207 and 254 which may be completed after faculty admission). Students will be selected competitively based on the grades achieved in the nine lower division required courses earned at Simon Fraser University and other institutions,** with a maximum of two repeated courses on those nine lower division courses. Note that a minimum Simon Fraser University cumulative grade point average (CGPA) of 2.4 is required.

*or equivalent advanced placement or international baccalaureate courses as listed under General Admission Requirements for British Columbia Secondary Schools
**nine lower division courses are as follows:

BUS 237-3 Introduction to Computers and Information Systems in Business

BUS 251-3 Financial Accounting 1
BUS 272-3 Behaviour in Organizations
ECON 103-4 Principles of Microeconomics
ECON 105-4 Principles of Macroeconomics

and one of

BUEC 232-4 Data and Decisions I
STAT 270-3 Introduction to Probability and Statistics

and one of

MATH 150-4 Calculus 1 with Review
MATH 151-3 Calculus 1
MATH 154-3 Calculus 1 for the Biological Sciences
MATH 157-3 Calculus for the Social Sciences 1

and two of

ENGL 101-3 Introduction to Fiction
ENGL 102-3 Introduction to Poetry
ENGL 103-3 Introduction to Drama
ENGL 104-3 Introduction to Prose Genres
ENGL 105-3 Introduction to Issues in Literature and Culture
ENGL 199-3 Introduction to Issues in Literature and Culture
PHIL 001-3 Critical Thinking
PHIL 100-3 Knowledge and Reality
PHIL 120-3 Introduction to Moral Philosophy

Application Procedures

Students applying under category 1 or 2 should apply to the faculty at the same time that they apply for admission to the University.

Category 3 or 4 applicants should apply to the faculty after completing the 30th unit. Students should apply during the term in which the lower division requirements (except BUS 207 and 254) are completed. Students not accepted upon initial application may reapply. Unsuccessful applicants may appeal through the faculty admissions appeals committee.

K-12 Education Online Degree

Registering for an online K-12 education degree will enable you to acquire the specialized training required for advancement opportunities in your teaching career without giving up your commitments such as family and full-time job.

An associate degree in K-12 education – usually a two-year academic program – will prepare you for a career as a teacher assistant in the fields of daycare work, child development and early childhood educations.

Bachelor degree programs in K-12 education vary depending on the subject area and grade level you wish to teach but they include courses in classroom management, child development and education techniques. After earning your bachelors in K-12 education you will be qualified to to teach at the pre-school, middle school or high school levels.

A Bachelor’s degree in education will also prepare you for a masters in K-12 education – a degree program that can earn you a rewarding position as a department head or an administrator. A masters in K-12 education covers a range of courses in areas such as educational leadership, advanced classroom instruction, school administration and more.

An online PhD in K-12 in education will offer you advanced expertise in issues of education in areas such as adult education, educational leadership, and virtual school instruction and assessment strategies.

With an online PhD in K-12 in education, you adequately prepared to teach at different levels in specialization such as social studies, physical education, curriculum and instruction, school counseling and many more.

K-12 education online degree is just as demanding as on campus based study. However, if you decide to study online, make sure you conduct a thorough research in advance regarding aspects such as duration, tuition fees, college accreditation etc.

To earn a K-12 education online degree takes much dedication, but the rewards outweigh the endeavor.

Accounting Degree Online
Registering for an online degree in accounting is an exciting way to learn how to analyze and record financial information without giving up your full-time job.

An accounting degree gives you a chance to work in any industry and in a rewarding position as an accountant. An associate degree in accounting is the most common entry-point to the accounting profession. The degree provides you with basic knowledge in accounting, cost accounting, taxation, financial statement analysis, payroll accounting and accounting technology.

Although an Associate degree will not meet most state’s education requirements for the CPA exam, it will prepare you to work as an account clerk in many accounting offices or as a bookkeeper for a small business or a not-for-profit organization.

A Bachelor of Science degree in accounting will generally prepare you to compete for senior level accounting positions but if your goal is to sit for the CPA exam check out your state’s accountancy board’s educational requirements and plan accordingly.

A Master of Science in Accounting further refines your accounting skills and exposes you to more sophisticated accounting techniques and concepts. It will enhance your competitive advantage when applying for senior accounting positions.

A PhD in accounting is the highest level academic degree you can receive in accounting. Doctorate degrees usually involve more in-depth study and research and it often takes several years of additional study to complete.

A PhD in accounting will qualify you for an advanced accounting position with a major corporation or a government agency. It may also help you to start an auditing business or large accounting firm.

To earn an accounting degree online takes much dedication, but the rewards outweigh the endeavor.

An Accounting Degree Online Can Fetch You a Rewarding Career

The jobs section of any newspaper and classified ads carry announcement requiring qualified accountants in various companies. Accountants play a vital role in every business organisation from the smallest to the biggest. Every organization has a separate accounting department to handle the accounting functions of the organisation.

Accounts guides have been set up on the internet, as the accounting profession is the most versatile in the world. You will find accountants in all fields of business and finance. They are employed in all sectors of the work force; private, public and government.

The job profile of accountants is to prepare financial statement, management planning and forecasting, budgeting and auditing. The specialized positions they occupy are Certified Management Accountant, Certified Public Accountant and Chartered Accountant.

An online accounting degree is obtained from online accounting classes which offer several levels from Certificate, Associates, Bachelor’s to Master’s degree in accounting. An online degree in accounting is the best alternative for those aspiring for accounting education but unable to earn it from regular colleges and universities.

May be they are working or they have some family commitments, but students undergoing these online programs can complete their studies from their home without any need to travel and attend their classes. They can study at their own pace and time convenient for them.

How and Where to Enrol

You will find many online sites which offer reliable and up to date information about accredited online schools and accounting classes. It does not matter from which online school you do it, but the primary concern should be that the online college or university has accreditation.

You should investigate the validity of the accreditation; some online schools have their own accreditation board to be able to claim that they are accredited.

Today even the Ivy League schools are offering their own online degree classes. Their very name lends more weight to your degree and guarantees that the institution is legitimate.

Marketing MBA Degree, Finance MBA Degree, which is better?

The question is not 'which MBA Degree is better', but 'which MBA Degree is more popular'. The reason behind this is that the relative value of each MBA Degree changes according to the type of market and its condition.

Is finance MBA Degree better than marketing MBA Degree? The answer is yes and no, as finance MBA seems a better option in today's situation where the stock market is optimistic.

Finance MBA people -- the bean counters, as they are called -- are viewed as pessimists. They will always tell you why the company should NOT go for the proposed plans. On the other hand, the marketing MBA people -- the optimists -- will have no doubts about the success of these plans.

Hence, it's not strange that we always see finance MBA and marketing MBA people coming out of meetings fighting with each other. But the moment one doubts (as marketing MBA people do) a well-planned step (which marketing MBA people have), one is out of the market.

To drive home my point, in many a monopolistic and cost-driven market, the sharpest tool is finance. However, one should not forget every effort is being made all over the world to have competitive markets by restructuring these monopolistic markets (the electricity market, for example). So the name of the game is marketing rather than finance.

Every wannabe manager should keep in mind that an MBA Degree in finance gives you the tools to analyse and expand your market, but not the marketing skills and tactics necessary for increasing your output.

As for the clearer picture, one also needs to consider the thumb rule while getting a job -- what your ambitions are and what you have to do when choosing a specialisation.

The MBA you choose should also depend on your personal ability. If you are good at number-crunching, have a flair for juggling numbers and think you can manage the party well, then finance is the job for you. If you are creative and have a zeal to sell, then there's no doubt you should be in marketing. So you have to really assess yourself before you decide on your specialisation.

Online Master Degree for Photography

The Online Master Degree for Photography at the Academy of Art University is one of the preeminent photography schools in the nation. Today’s photography industry demands highly educated professionals who can combine technical proficiency with visual creativity. Our forward-reaching curriculum is designed to teach students the skills necessary to succeed in this field.

Though innovative curriculum, we encourage students to develop their individual styles and coach them to create powerful portfolios demonstrating their unique artistic visions. In addition to providing students with the necessary technical, conceptual and professional skills, we also support our students with excellent networking opportunities with industry professionals. Our instructors are active professionals chosen for their expertise and achievements, as well as their working knowledge of contemporary trends in the industry.

Through effective and innovative curriculum, access to highly trained faculty, guidance in exceptional portfolio development, and support through professional connections in the industry, students in our online master degree for photography programs graduate with the unique skills and vision required for success.

The Online Master Degree for Photography of Fine Arts (MFA)

The online master degree for photography of Fine Arts degree program imparts a high level of digital and traditional photography skill and graduate-level aesthetic theory, and it substantially educates and supports students in their investigation of the applied and fine arts specializations. This is accomplished through the mastery of specific skills according to the student's needs, strong education in relation to relevant theory, emphasis on the student's personal vision, a professional faculty that provides depth as well as breadth of experience, and facilities that provide a professional context for study.

Students have the opportunity to concentrate in the area of photography of specific interest to them learning about core principles related to photography as a medium. Our school supports graduate students in becoming leaders rather than followers in their area of specialization.

Online master degree for photography courses include a mix of studio courses, individual advisement, and seminars. Strong conceptual and technical knowledge is the underpinning of the curriculum, with a powerful and cohesive final thesis project being the tangible result.

Online master degree for photography course Hardware Requirements

All online master degree for photography classes can be completed on a Mac or PC computer. However, Mac is the industry standard for photography and most creative fields. Demonstrations, lectures, screen shots and examples found in the online photo classes are created on a Mac. For anyone interested in a career in the online master degree for photography, a Mac is recommended. The individual online class home pages will identify all hardware and software requirements.

World University Rankings by Subject 2011 - Arts & Humanities

Rank Title
1 Harvard University
2 University of Oxford
3 University of Cambridge
4 University of California, Berkeley (UCB)
5 Yale University
6 Columbia University
7 University of Toronto
8 Stanford University
9 University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA)
10 University of Chicago

Study Tips


Check out WLU's Study Skills Program - resources and workshops are offered on a variety of topics, including Time Management & Procrastination and Preparing for Midterms.

If you have difficulties in handling more personal issues, such as anxiety or gaining self-confidence, or even more serious issues, you may want to contact Counselling Services.



The following is a collection of tips for studying mathematics. These have been gathered from a number of sources (texts, websites, personal experience) over a number of years.

General:

Keys to success include desire and discipline. You must want success and you must discipline yourself to do what it takes to get success.
Keys to success include motivation and time management (rewording of the above).
Everything that you learn increases your value.
If you need help, get it! Find out what resources are available to you.
Math is cummulative - what you learn today will be used tomorrow.
Take responsibility for your education.
No two students will learn in the same way. Discover what it takes for you to learn math.
Don't expect to understand every new topic the first time you see it. Learning mathematics takes time, patience and repetition. "All mathematics is easy, once you understand it."
You must practice speaking a foreign language regularly in order to become fluent in it. Mathematics is like a language - you must practice it regularly and become fluent.
If you memorize procedures without understanding, you will soon forget the procedures.
Being a full time student is a full time job. For each in class hour of instruction, two to four hours of studying (including doing homework) should be completed.
Account for how you spend every half hour of your time for one entire week. Add up your totals for sleep, study, work, recreation, and social activities. Does the amount of time allocated to each seem appropriate?
The ability to concentrate depends on adequate sleep, decent nutrition and the physical well-being that comes with exercise.
Lectures:

Read the related sections of your text before it is discussed in the lecture. Even if you do not totally understand what you've read, hearing it in class will now be the second time you've seen the material.
When taking notes, leave space. Later you can go back, adding details, extra notes from text, examples, etc.
If lecture notes are provided (such as via a course website), make use of them. Read them before the class and then you'll actually have a chance to listen to your instructor during the lecture.
Attending a lecture is more than just showing up and taking notes. Be attentive. Each is an hour of your time - why not make proper use of it?
Ask questions in class. This will keep the lecture more active and interesting, and will also ease your comfort in approaching your instructor outside of class.
If you miss a class, it is your responsibility to find out what was discussed.
After each class, rewrite - or at least reread - your notes, filling in details and/or making corrections as you do so.

Homework/Studying:

Don't simply work problems to get answers. Try to understand the big picture - how does this relate to what we did last? where would we go next?
Research shows that we remember only 10% of what we read, 20% of what we see, but a full 90% of what we say and do. So, whenever possible say and do.
Find a group of students (3-5) to work with outside of class. Explaining concepts out loud will deepen your understanding. But remember that working a problem with help is not the same as working a problem on your own.
Mathematics is personal - make sure that you can do it.
Check your answers with those provided in the back of the text or solution manual only after having worked through the problem yourself. But do get in the habit of checking your work to gain confidence in your abilities.
You work a problem and get the wrong answer. You rework the problem and you get the right answer. Be sure to go over your first solution and find out where you went wrong. This is a great learning tool and will help you avoid making the same mistakes again.
Working one hour per day every day is better than working 7 hours in one day.
Keep reviewing. After doing the current work, go back a section or two and try to rework a few problems. You will be amazed at how much your knowledge will improve with regular review (and you'll be able to avoid those all night cram sessions!).
At the end of each week, take note of the progress that's been made. What do you now know that you didn't know on Monday?
Don't use excuses to avoid studying. Use them to take half hour breaks from studying, about every hour or two.
Eliminate obvious visual distractions when you study. This includes magazines and texts from another class.
Tests:

Cramming for a test only creates text anxiety. Keep up with homework and there's no need to cram. Start studying several days before the exam and get a good sleep the night before.
Scan the test and pick out the problems that are the easiest for you. Do these first to gain confidence and jump start your thinking.
Use the marks allocation to judge the amount of time that should be spent on each question.
When you've completed a question you are confident about, place a check mark beside it. Place a question mark beside problems that you want to go back and have another look at if time permits.
When a test is returned, rework all problems checking to see what you did correct, what you did wrong. Consult model solutions and get help on anything you still don't understand.

Study tips
Go on, prove something to yourself
Archimedes did it in the bath, Isaac Newton used the end of his bed and Tolkien hid himself away for days. Great minds have always found their own unique ways to ponder and create. That's one of the reasons we let you study where, when and how you like.

Finding your feet
University study isn't really like anything you'll have done before. Becoming an independent learner is a real challenge. At times you'll need to show your initiative and not be afraid to ask for help if you need it (but don't worry there's plenty available).

Taking control
It's important not to let your university course just 'happen' to you. You need to take ownership of your degree and get out of it what you want to. Being really organised will help you feel in control, and taking advantage of all the help and resources that are available to you will help you to make the most of the time you spend as a student.

The Open University offers tons of support and resources. Visit The Open University iTunes U site for free downloads of sample course material. Join in with debates, tutorials and study groups via our unique online conferencing portal and gain access to thousands of valuable books and studies via the Open University library. It's totally queue free!

Staying happy
There's no bigger barrier to good study than a bad mood. Digesting books as thick as a doorstep and fitting study around your busy life can seem a bit of a challenge at first but don't let it get you down. Remember you're doing this for you!

Focus on the aspects of your course that you enjoy and are good at. Break your study down into bite-sized chunks. Develop your own filing system to keep your notes in good order. Chat to other students about how they're feeling. Bend your tutor's ear. Most of all, remember that you're normal and that any challenges you face are normal too.

Polish up your skills
Because university study is a bit different to anything that you do at school or college, you're going to need different skills to get you through.

Some of the study skills you need include:

Debate - you're going to need to learn to set up opposing views and ideas against each other to draw useful conclusions. This means telling both sides of the story and then presenting what you think and why.

Background - you'll need to show how your ideas fit in with the literature and history of your subject. What do the leading lights in your subject think? Do you agree with them or not? Why?

Argue - can you present your argument in a logical and persuasive manner both verbally and on paper? Why do you think what you think? Can you back it up? Can you communicate your thoughts in a logical manner?

Critical Analysis - can you take other people's ideas and arguments apart and show their strengths and weaknesses? Do they have strong evidence to back up their opinions? Could they be biased or unreliable in some way? Can you prove them wrong?

Evidence - when you put together arguments, you'll need to back your points up with hard evidence. This could be statistical data taken from research, quotes from texts or the results of your own controlled experiments.

Objectivity - it's important to present your ideas in an unbiased way. With the right evidence, your arguments should be able to stand on their own merits. Try not to colour your work with too much emotion either, although a bit of passion never went amiss.

Keep it concise - keep your work precise and to the point. Don't be tempted to ramble or go off on tangents. Remember that tutors often have hundreds of assignments to mark so they really appreciate clear, well-structured work which keeps to the point.

Style - don't be afraid to stamp your own academic style on the work you produce. Make the course your own and take it where you want to go. Just make sure you don't go for wacky fonts or weird colour schemes when you produce assignments though. There's nothing worse!

Become a successful bookworm
Most courses at university have a pretty lengthy reading list. So how are you going to cope with all that reading? How will you find the time? And how will you remember all the facts, figures and opinions that you come across? Here are some tips to help you:

Make a weekly to do list - this way you can schedule in enough time to do the reading you need to each week.

Be patient - try to relax and give yourself time to read and digest information.

Don't be passive - actively make notes or highlight interesting phrases while you read. This will get your more involved in what you're reading and keep you focused.

Learn to skim - this will help you suss out if a book or article is going to be helpful without you having to read it all. It makes finding things on an index or contents page much faster too.

Learn to read at different speeds - try to consciously slow down or speed up depending on what it is that you're reading. Complicated texts on subjects that you don't know much about will require more careful attention.

Take the deep approach - try to make sense of the article or chapter you're reading as a whole rather than getting bogged down in the individual words. What's it really about? What is the author trying to say?

Taking notes
As a student you'll need to do a fair bit of note taking. Whether you're using books, lectures, podcasts, or dvds to support your study, thinking on paper will help you to digest information, retain facts and form opinions.

The type of notes you take will depend on how much time you have, how your mind works and what you want the notes for. Different people favour different methods from scrawling on post-it notes and scribbling in the margin, to highly organised shorthand systems and summary cards.

Whichever method you decide to use, you will need to make sure that you capture the key concepts and ideas, useful statistics or examples and important names and dates so you can accurately reference them in your own work.

The dreaded essay
One of the most challenging parts of being a student is having to produce well-structured, clearly written essays. Often you will be given a question or statement which you must then present a logical argument to support or disprove in around 1000 - 2000 words.

Sounds scary? It is and it isn't. The more you write essays at this level the more naturally you'll find that they come to you. You will also find that you have quite a lot of freedom to research and discuss what interests you most, so use this to your advantage.

Try to keep some of these useful guidelines in mind when you're feeling the pressure, and remember that you can get a lot out of this process so try to stay positive!

Use a logical argument - your whole essay should flow as a structured argument with each paragraph leading on to the next. Everything should link back to the question that you're answering or the statement that you're supporting.

Make your points clearly - you need to make sure that you explain what you mean in a way that can't be misunderstood. Remember that your reader isn't psychic so spell out your meaning.

Back everything up with evidence - your argument will be so much more powerful if you back up every point you make with strong, well-researched evidence.

A strong conclusion - make sure you include a powerful conclusion that shows that you've answered the question. Your conclusion should briefly summarise the main points of your essay and leave the reader in no doubt as to what your final opinion is.

Use polished English - you don't have to write like you've swallowed a dictionary but you should make sure that your sentences are clear, well constructed and free of spelling and grammar mistakes. Errors like these will just undermine your arguments.

Reference your quotes - when you use a quote from a study or source, make sure that you do so accurately and that you reference all of your quotes in a footnote. You'll need to give the title of the book or study that you're quoting from, the author, the publisher and the date of publication.

The dreaded exam
University exams probably enjoy a worse reputation than they deserve you know. When you take an exam with The Open University you'll never be asked to write about anything that you haven't covered in the course. And believe it or not, everyone involved in setting the exam wants you to pass. Including the squeaky-shoed invigilator pacing up and down the room!

But how can you make sure that you don't get a mind blank? How do you know what to revise? And how can you make a big impression no matter how challenging the question?

Always be prepared - it may be the most simple and obvious answer but there's no way around it. If you really know your stuff then you're never going to be stuck for something to write about in your exam. And remember, it's not a test of memory but a test of understanding and ideas so don't drive yourself to distraction trying to learn great lists of facts and figures by heart when you revise.

Go backwards to go forwards - try to think of revising for an exam as a constructive activity where you look back over the content of the module to put your thoughts in a clear order. And try not to leave your revision until the last minute! Start by getting all your notes, handouts and books in order, and then draw up a timetable to help you divide up your revision time effectively.

I know what you did last summer - to get a good idea of the kind of questions they'll ask in your exam, have a look at the question paper from last year or the year before. A full selection of past exam papers are available from The Open University Students Association website or by ringing 0870 013 4334.

Check your writing - nowadays we hardly write anything by hand anymore. So how will your writing hold up under the pressure of an exam? Will it be readable? And will you be able to write quickly enough to answer all the questions in the time that's allowed? Try practicing with a past exam paper and timing yourself. You may have to do a bit of work to get your writing speed and style up to scratch.

Keep it relevant - one of the most common mistakes people make in exams is not answering the question. Make sure you read your paper carefully and then give a structured response which accurately reflects the question. You should also make sure that you use key terms from the course, an objective standpoint and correct punctuation and spelling. Don't be afraid to map your answer out on scrap paper before you start either, it will help you to think clearly.

Keep a lid on the stress - everyone feels stressed at exam time, it's a fact of life. But it's important to realise that even if you don't do as well as you'd hoped, it's not the end of the world. Instead of thinking the worst, concentrate on giving yourself the best chance possible by preparing well and channelling your nervous energy into practical revision tasks.

What day is it again? - in all the drama running up to your exam, make sure you don't forget to check where and when it's taking place. It's easier than you'd think to make a mistake about the date, time or venue when you're wound up with nerves and last minute cramming.

What about email submissions? - If you're asked to sit an exam at home and submit your answers via email, you'll need to make sure that you submit the work on time and in the right format. If your answers are on multiple documents, zip them together into one reasonably sized file - below 2MB is best - and don't forget to keep a copy for yourself in case anything happens to the file while it's in transit!

Coping with depression
What is Depression? **
Depression is more than just feeling sad or a depressed mood. Depression will affect people differently. Although there may be similar symptoms it can look very different in people’s lives.

Clinical depression involves a cluster of symptoms, which may include:

An unusually sad mood that does not go away
Loss of enjoyment and interest in activities that use to be enjoyable
Lack of energy, and tiredness
Loss of confidence in self and poor self-esteem
Feeling guilty when you are not really at fault
Wishing you were dead and/or thinking about harming yourself
Difficulty concentrating or making decisions
Moving more slowly or alternatively becoming agitated and unable to settle
Having difficulty sleeping or alternatively sleeping too much
Loss of interest in food or alternatively eating too much.
Not all people will have the same symptoms, and not all people will have all these symptoms. The severity of depression can vary.

The symptoms of depression are thought to be due to changes in natural brain chemicals called neurotransmitters, which send messages from one nerve cell to another in the brain. Depression often means that your brain has less of these chemical messengers such as serotonin, a mood regulating brain chemical.

What causes Depression? **
There is no single cause of depression. It often involves a complex interaction of biological, psychological and social factors.

Depression can often be a response to a situation when something very distressing has happened, particularly if you cannot do anything to control the situation such as:

Past trauma or abuse – e.g. child sexual abuse, physical abuse etc
Current trauma or abuse – e.g. domestic violence
Relationship break up
Having a baby (10 – 15% or women experience depression after childbirth)
Loss of job, difficulty finding a job
Having an accident that results in disability
Significant loss e.g. death of a loved one
Developing a long-term physical illness (or caring for someone with this)
Being a victim of crime
Depression can also occur from…

A medical condition e.g. Stroke, Parkinson’s disease
The side effects of certain medication/drugs
The stress of having another mental health issue (e.g. severe anxiety, schizophrenia)
Alcohol abuse or drug abuse
Changes in hormone levels
Lack of exposure to bright lights in winter (seasonal affective disorder)
Some people will experience depression in a distressing situation whereas other may not – some people may be more prone to it where as other people may be more resilient to it. Studies have shown that those most prone to developing depression are women, people with depression running in their family, and people who have experienced abuse during childhood (sexual, physical or emotional).

What are the effects of depression? **
Depression may have you feeling:

Sadness
Anxiety
Guilty
Angry
Mood swings
A lack of emotional responsiveness
Helpless
Hopeless
A mixture of feelings that are hard to identify and feel all rolled in to one
Depression may have you thinking:

Self criticism – “I always do things wrong”
Self Blame – “It’s all my fault”
Worry – “What if…” Suicidal ideation “The world would be better off without me”
Pessimism – “Everything sucks”
Confusion – “I can’t think straight”
Self Doubt – “I can’t do anything”
Self Hatred - “I’m disgusting”
That others are judging you – “they wouldn’t like me if they really knew me”.
Depression may have you:

Crying or even emotionally flat (e.g. beyond tears)
Withdrawing from others
Neglecting responsibilities
Losing interest in personal appearance
Losing motivation
Self-harming
Depression may affect your physical body:

Lack of energy
Sleeping too much or too little
Constipation
Appetite – to much or too little and subsequent weight gain or loss
Irregular menstrual cycle
Loss of sexual desire
Unexplained aches and pains
Depression may have you believing about yourself:

That you are crazy
That you are a worthless person
Depression can have a significant impact on your life. Depression may even have you questioning your connection to life. If you are feeling overwhelmed, or are thinking about hurting yourself, it is important to seek help. You can speak with a counsellor from Counselling Services at Adelaide University by phoning 8303 5663. If it is after business hours, support is available by ring Adult Mental Health Services for 24 hour crisis and emergency assistance on 13 14 65 or lifeline on 13 11 14.

How can you manage depression?
There are lots of different options to manage depression that may work for different people such as:

Physical activity
Physical exercise is a proven mood lifter as it increases the release of endorphins and other ‘feel good’ chemicals to the brain and body. It does not have to be an organized sport that you do to feel the benefits. Going for a walk, gardening, or taking a bike ride is equally as good. Anything that get your heart rate moderately lifted for about 30 minutes a day will have significant benefits for your physical and mental health.

Anti-depressant medication
For some people, anti-depressant medication can make a real difference to their ability to manage the depression. It is important to note however that depression can be successfully managed without the use of medication. Try to find a doctor you feel comfortable with, who can talk with you over your issues and concerns about the depression and the right medication for you. You have a right to ask your doctor questions about the depression, the medication prescribed and the possible side effects. Some people might worry that if they start using medication that they will be on it for the rest of their lives, however anti-depressant medication can be time limited. In some cases your doctor may refer you to a psychiatrist who can then monitor your mental health and medication.

Counselling
There are many different options available if you want counselling. The Counselling Service at Adelaide University has experienced counsellors who can offer you support. This is a free service. To make an appointment you can phone the service on 8303 5663. You can access a private counsellor or psychologist with no referral. Many are listed in the phone books or you can search for them on-line. If you are on a mental health plan by your doctor you may be eligible for some sessions with a psychologist that can be bulk billed through Medicare. Some of the things a counsellor may do with you in a session include listening non-judgmentally to how you are feeling, discussing with you issues in your life that may be affecting your mental health and well-being, helping you to identify and change unhelpful thought patterns, and offering you practical strategies to help manage the depression. Sometimes depression can have you feeling like ‘what’s the point?’ Taking some time out to reflect on what is important in your life may help you to find motivation to keep going. You may find speaking with a counsellor helpful in this process.

Alternative therapies
These may work for some people to help them relax and release tension. Some popular therapies available include acupuncture, massage therapy, and aromatherapy.

Yoga and meditation
Yoga and meditation can be used to help you relax, tune in to your body and your “inner awareness”, and reduce the effects of stress on your life. The Counselling Service at Adelaide University runs free lunchtime workshops on meditation and yoga practices. Drop in to the centre to pick up a timetable.

Stress reduction/lifestyle changes/self care
Being aware of personal self care needs such as getting enough sleep, avoiding alcohol and other drugs, eating healthily, and taking time for yourself will make a difference to how you feel and cope with daily life pressures. Do things that make you feel good and take time out for yourself. Have a bath, read a good book, watch a funny DVD…

Good supports
It is important to seek out supports in your life and avoid social isolation. You may not feel like socializing or going out with friends when depressed, however isolating yourself will usually make it worse. Create a support network in your life – this could include friends, family, pets, on-line chat groups or social network sites, support groups, sporting clubs, interest/hobby groups, spiritual connections and communities, and professional support (e.g. counselor, GP).

Get creative!
Journaling
Drawing
Music
Mosaics
Craft
Scrap-booking
Painting
Singing…
Get informed!
Learn about depression and find out what other people have found helpful.
Usually the best approach is a combination of all of these strategies. Try things out. Little steps combined over time do make a difference. Different strategies may suit different people depending on their personal style. It is important to be gentle on your self and remind yourself that you can reduce the impact of depression on your life.

Where to go for help and resources?
The Counselling Service provides appointments Monday – Friday from 9:00am – 5:00pm and a drop-in service Monday – Friday from 1:00pm – 4:00pm. Contact the service on 8303 5663 or drop in at the centre located ground floor, Horace Lamb Building.

Your local GP

There are lots of great websites with information and support around depression. Try these as a start:

www.beyondblue.org.au
www.reachout.com.au
www.moodgym.anu.edu.au
www.headroom.net.au
24 hour support is available through contacting the following services:


ACIS – 13 14 65
Lifeline – 13 11 14
Youth Health line – 1300 13 17 19

Getting Back On The Study Track
Sometimes students find that the focus of their lives has shifted away from study and that they have fallen behind and want to refocus. Here are 10 simple tips to help get back on track with study.

1. Understand how much time you have and allocate it appropriately
There are 24 hours in a day and 7 days in a week. Allocating those 24 hours and 7 days effectively will get you back on track. Each of the next nine topics describe what needs to be done with your time to get you back on track and to study effectively.

2. Go to all lectures, tutorials and practicals
Just going to lectures is likely to keep your study life on track and prevent you from getting too entangled with non-study activities. You may be thinking “I do not have to go to lectures because I can get the information off the web, or from the text book, or from a friend”, however often this does not work. When you go to lectures you organise your life so that it is focussed on study. When you do not go to lectures you are often organising your life so that it is focussed on things other than study. Going to a lecture begins the process of learning long before exam time, and lecturers have a tendency to emphasise what they think is important and this is not always clear in their lecture notes. Also hand up all practical reports and practice assignments. In some subjects, there are many small assignments for which you do not get many marks. These are not as important for grades but they are important for learning.

3. Do not overcommit yourself
You may have interests that take time and effort from study. For example, sports, hobbies, politics, clubs, social life, art, crafts etc. These activities in the correct amount can support study, or they can detract from study if you do them too much. Adjust your commitments to support study. There should be 35 hours (or more) available for full time study. It is similar to a full time job. Some students get deceived by the contact hours which are less than 35 hours and then think that they can fill all that extra time with other activities. However, the non contact time is needed to do the assignments, reading and learning. Do not overload your enrolment if you are having trouble keeping up with your study. A normal full-time commitment at this university is 12 units.

4. Do not let employment interfere with study
It is important to not let work interfere with your study.

Ask yourself the following questions:

After the time you spend at work, is there enough time to sleep and study effectively?
How many hours do you work a week?
Take into account the time it takes to get to work and the fact that most people can not study for 2 hours after work – they need to wind down.
Is your job the best one to support study?
Are you working because you need to? – In which case, you must keep doing it.
Are you working because you want to or want to spend the money on something? If you are failing because you do not have enough time to study, then perhaps you need to reduce or stop working. Sometimes it helps to reduce work hours during exam times, if your employer will allow it. So ask if you can reduce your work hours and explain why to your employer. Ninety five percent of employers are quite reasonable if they understand that you will fail if you do not find more time to study.
5. Be realistic about the effect of unexpected events
Are there demands on your life that you can not control and that make it difficult to study?

Are you:

Needing to work to live, pay off debts etc?
Managing an illness (yours or others)?
Affected by a family matter?
Grieving over the death of someone?
Required to do things other than study?
Then:

you may be better off reducing your study commitments
or
reduce your expectations for grades
6. Study in an effective and efficient way
Many students study until they can not study any more. Time sitting at your desk trying to study but not studying is wasted time, it is psychologically exhausting. It is much better to get up have a break and then return when your mind is clear. It is even more efficient to stop studying while it is going well, because it is much easier to return to study that was going well. During the short break, do things that refresh you: go outside, do something physical, dance, walk, play a musical instrument, whatever gives you a break from study. Then return to your study.

Very few people can study for more that thirty to fifty minutes with full concentration. Have a short break, maybe 10 to 15 minutes, then continue to study. Take a break again — keep this rhythm going. People can study for a long time like this.

For more information see the Managing Stress and being a Successful Student.

7. Take care of yourself - so that you can study effectively
Study is most productive when alternated with proper relaxation. Relaxation then becomes a valuable support for study. This balance between study and non-study is best maintained by having a number of non-study activities in your life. Doing too many non-study activities, you will not do well at university, because too much of your time and effort will go into them rather than study [see section 4 & 5]. With too few non-study activities, you may get so stressed that you will not be able to study effectively. Non-study activities can include sport, hobbies, part-time job, relationship, friends, partying, movies, clubbing, walking, sleeping, pets, friends, gardening, sports, hobbies, music etc. All these in the right amount will give you a useful break from study. If you rest and relax, you can return to study refreshed after time off and can have something to look forward to when you are studying. Rest is most efficient when it is worry and guilt free.

For more information see the Managing Stress and being a Successful Student.

8. Get enough sleep so you can study effectively
When you are sleep-deprived, it is very difficult to be motivated to study or concentrate properly. You can do many things when sleep-deprived such as surf the internet, chatting online, speak to friends, play sports, and work (sometimes). Although you can do these things, it may create the illusion that you can get by on little sleep. However, it is very difficult to effectively study when sleep-deprived. When students have too many non-study activities, they often manage by reducing sleep. On Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, it is best to go to bed at the same time and get up eight hours later. Once you set the alarm, lights should be out eight hours before the alarm goes off. It helps to leave at least 30 minutes for the transition from waking activity to sleep. In this time, you should not do things that will wake you up. It is a time to calm down. Many sleep problems are caused by trying to sleep and trying to think at the same time, which is impossible. The simplest solution to this problem is to commit eight hours to rest and do your thinking after you wake up.

For more information see Sleep - Improve it!.

9. After falling behind - set realistics study goals
It is better to pass one or two subjects than to attempt all of your subjects and fail them all. It is also better to aim for a pass than to aim for a high grade and not hand in the assignment. It helps to prioritise study or assignments.

Ask yourself:

Which is the most important?
What will be easiest to finish?
What one should I start with?
Once you have clear priorities, there are two ways to proceed.

Do one assignment or subject until it is finished putting others aside until you have finished the first assignment. It can sometimes help to put the books associated with other topics away so you do not think about them, until you are ready to do them.
Only study one subject at a time. For example, for half a day, study only one subject and do not to think about any other subject during that time. Then for the next half day, study another subject and only think about that subject during that period of time.
10. Negotiate with academics to hand in late assignments
You may need to negotiate with lecturers to hand assignments in late. Academics are often willing to do this so seek their help.

Starting University can be an exciting time. It is often accompanied by many lifestyle changes such as new routines, meeting new people, making new friends, and generally adjusting to campus life. In the midst of all of this, students are expected to develop effective study skills in an environment that may be very different to the one they were use to in school.

Below are some tips to help you manage your time and your work load, cope with the stress of study and hopefully have you well on the way to academic success in your chosen field!

ESTABLISH A TIMETABLE: Schedule fixed commitments (e.g. lectures, tutorials, sports training). Also schedule in due dates for assignments, projects and presentations etc. It is useful to bring these dates forward by a few days to give you extra time, which can provide you with an opportunity to reflect and can also compensate for the unexpected (e.g. illnesses). Decide how you can best use the remaining time, recognising the importance of allocating time for recreation, socialising, family, and yourself. Establishing study/life balance through effective time management is one of the most important study skills you can develop.

PLAN YOUR DAY: Begin each day with a list of things you both “have to” and “want to” accomplish. It is better to have more items on your list than less. A task will tend to expand with the time allocated for it. If you have one or two items on your list it is likely to take all day to do them. However if you have ten items on your list you may not complete all ten but you are likely to have completed seven or eight during the same allocation of time.

PRIORITISE THE LIST: This is about knowing what is important. Rate the tasks in order of priority, and tackle them in order of importance doing the most important first.

ORGANISE YOUR PLACE OF WORK: Ensure that your study area is a pleasant environment. Organise your books, papers etc. so that they are easily accessed. Searching for things is a big time- waster. Have a tidy desk.

KNOW YOUR PEAK TIMES: Decide when you have the most energy as this corresponds with when you are most able to focus and concentrate. Schedule your most demanding work for these times and less demanding work for other times when energy is not as high.

STUDY BREAKS: Study for about an hour at a time then have a short break. This is an efficient study method because while you are taking a break the brain is still processing the information. Breaks between study blocks also ensure that your levels of concentration are more likely to be maintained. Ensure that you have time off from study each day and that you have some period of holiday time in semester/mid-semester breaks. Non-study time is essential to effective study as it allows you to refresh, manage stress and provide a balance that will enable you to sustain your efforts over your whole degree. It is also important to make sure that you don’t over commit yourself with extra curricular activities to the point that it starts to negatively impact on your allocated study time. See our pamphlet “Managing stress and being a successful student” for more information on this.

DIVIDE AND CONQUER: A large assignment or project may appear overwhelming however it becomes manageable and achievable when broken down into several smaller parts. Set realistic, achievable goals and complete one part at a time.

ALLOCATE THINKING AND REFLECTION TIME: After having completed a piece of writing it can be very useful to leave it for a day or two and then to return to it with new ideas and enthusiasm. Effective time management can allow you the space to do this.

AVOID PROCRASTINATION: Develop strategies that help you resist being hindered by procrastination. Make decisions that are valuing of you and undermining of procrastination. It can be useful to start early in the day. Completing one small task soon after waking up is very empowering and can reduce the risk of procrastination. Reward yourself when you have successfully resisted procrastination and completed your tasks. See our pamphlet ‘The Perfect Procrastinator’ for further details on how to overcome procrastination.

LEARN HOW TO DEAL WITH INTERRUPTIONS: Let the person interrupting you know that you are studying and that you really need to continue. Effective time-management allows you free time, so learn how to politely and assertively invite people to phone or visit you during these specific, non-study times.

TAKE CARE OF YOURSELF: Make sure you are attending to the three basics for health and well-being, which are sleep, nutrition, and physical activity.

Healthy Eating

Ensure that your diet is nutritional and that you eat regularly. The brain is not able to convert stored energy (fat) into energy it can use and requires energy directly from food. Keep your blood sugar levels consistent by eating regular, nutritional food (whole grain breads and cereals, lean protein, fruits and vegetables). This will ‘feed’ your brain and will assist you to be able to concentrate.

Getting enough sleep

If you are not getting enough sleep you will not be able to concentrate or focus at your optimum level. Try to establish a sleep routine that allows for about 7- 9 hours of sleep per night. Establish a regular, relaxing bedtime routine that will allow you to unwind and “send a signal” to your brain that it is time to sleep. See our pamphlet “Increasing your zzz’s” for more information on getting a good night sleep.

Regular Exercise

Exercise daily – physical activity helps to manage stress, lifts your mood and improves concentration. Try to get at least 30 minutes of moderate physical activity each day. This can be an organised sport of just going for a brisk walk. .

TIME FOR A SOCIAL LIFE: Ensure that you schedule time for socialising, catching up with friends, seeing a movie, visiting family members etc. This contributes to achieving balance in your life which is beneficial to effective study.

STUDY WITH FRIENDS: Sometimes it can be hard to get motivated to study. Feeling deprived, lonely and bored can make the prospect of study almost impossible. It may be worthwhile trialling a study arrangement with a friend. It doesn't need to be with someone doing the same subject or even the same course. Ideally it is with someone you enjoy spending time with. Some students find this invaluable. It's a bit like joining a gym - you are more likely to keep going if you go with someone else. Given a choice we usually prefer to work alongside others to reassure ourselves that we are not alone in the world when it comes to effort and hard work.

If you try it, there are some pretty important things to think about. Studying with a friend (or group of friends) can't be an excuse for a chat. It is a mutual commitment to encourage and support each other, not distract and sabotage.

KEEP THE BIG PICTURE IN MIND – VALUE YOURSELF AND WHAT YOU’RE WANTING TO ACHIEVE IN YOUR LIFE

If you want further support or information around any of these ideas then you can talk with a counsellor at the University Counselling Service. Phone 8303 5663 to make an appointment or drop in to the centre.

The Benefit of Study Groups

Study groups are a college student's best friend for a number of reasons. Not only does the student benefit from the solidarity and friendships gained from interacting with other students, but students also tend to retain material more effectively when surrounded with others who are dedicated to succeeding in a class.

One of the benefits of study groups, according to the College Board, is that students get to share and compare notes. In other words, if you didn't catch all of what your professor said in a class lecture, it is likely that someone else in your study group was able to jot down the information and can help you fill in the gaps. Also, the fun and socialization involved in study groups helps motivate students to want to study in the first place, the College Board notes.

Lehigh University acknowledges that one of the benefits of study groups is that students actually have an opportunity to teach other students, rather than just receiving information from a professor's lecture. In other words, you will gain a better grasp of the material when you start explaining or teaching it to another student in your group. Another benefit is that students can learn from other students' study habits, Lehigh University notes. Many times in a study group, you will notice a student using a particular study habit—such as writing on index cards, typing out handwritten notes, or coming up with clever or catchy ways to memorize information—and begin incorporating the good habit into your own study routine.

Study groups enrich your educational experience because they are opportunities for you to discuss and even debate the topics you are learning in class, helping you to grow and learn outside the classroom. California State University—Fullerton says that while individual study is often better for helping you memorize facts, group study gives you an advantage in understanding complex ideas because of the back-and-forth exchanges that take place in a group setting. Finally, study groups often encourage early and consistent study, both of which are essential to doing well in any class.

Textbook Companion Sites Can Be a Good Study Resource

Next time you're looking for a way to study for that psychology exam, try visiting your textbook's online companion Web site. These sites are interactive and provide learning resources that help you get the most you can from a course. They can contain valuable study tools that help you to expand on and test your knowledge. Don't know how to find it? Often the Web address is printed somewhere within the first few pages of the book or on the publisher's Web site. Just make sure you find it, bookmark it, and then visit it before your next exam because textbook companion sites can help you study the chapter's vocabulary, concepts, and questions.

These sites can contain glossary and flashcard sections to help you learn the most important words in the chapter. A glossary page typically lists all of the words that appeared in bold in your textbook along with their definitions in alphabetical order. Usually there is also a flashcard section. Everyone knows that making flashcards are a great way to study, but long gone are the days of making your own by spending hours writing down definitions. These interactive flashcards can be a useful way to memorize and then test your knowledge on the words that matter most.

Companion sites also contain chapter summaries and learning objective sections that help you grasp the most important concepts in the chapter. The summary provides an overview on what the chapter was about and covers the main points in it. The learning objectives section provides a list of the primary concepts, ideas, and theories, you should be familiar with after reading the chapter. This helps give you an idea on what you are expected to learn from the chapter as well as how you should be able to reiterate that information.

Perhaps one of the most valuable resources you can access on a companion Web site is the interactive quizzes and exams. One of the best ways to study for an exam is by applying your knowledge to a question and answer form. Often some of the questions come directly from the book's test bank. If you have a professor who isn't crazy about coming up with 50 original multiple choice questions, then one of these questions might just come up on that pop quiz or midterm exam.

Tips for Acing Your Next College Exam

Exams are a stressful time for any college student. A lot is riding on each exam you take, and it's a moment of truth when you find out whether you've actually learned from your class or not. It's easy to get a little freaked out before exams, but by getting prepared and putting the work in, you should be able to do well on any exam you face.

Do the prep work. Go to class, missing meeting times only infrequently and when it's necessary. Listen to your professor, participate, and take notes. Doing all of these things will help you learn and retain information along the way.

Study. It's the hard, simple truth: if you want to do well on exams, you've got to put in the work. Make flashcards, go through your notes, and read over reviews to get ready for your exam. There's no substitute for hard work and knowing the material when it comes to exam time.

Get help from family and friends. Let people know that you'll need time to study, and that you shouldn't be bothered at certain points. Then, enlist their help. Ask them to quiz you, use flashcards, and to play interference against distractions that might keep you from your studies.

Work with your classmates. Start a study group and discuss what you know together. Refresh your memory and enrich your understanding of the material by teaching the information to others.

Review the material. The night before you're tested, take a bit of time to look over your notes and important highlights to make sure that you're still familiar with what you'll be tested on and that it's fresh on your brain for the next day.

Get a good night's sleep. Although you may be tempted to stay up all night cramming information into your brain, you will be better served to get studying done earlier and spend your night before the test sleeping soundly. You can better process information with a full night's sleep, and you'll be fresh and alert the next morning come test time.

Following these tips can help you ensure that you'll be well prepared to do well on your next college exam. Be sure to put in the effort and time that's required to really learn the material that's presented to you.

Great Ways to Relieve School Stress

Everyone knows that along with college comes stress. For many students, it's simply unavoidable, and at some point in your college career, you'll have to figure out how to deal with it. Read on, and we'll share some of the ways you can reduce, eliminate, and relieve school-related stress.

Be prepared. When exam time comes around, you will be nervous enough. Do yourself a favor and nip stress in the bud by taking care of what you need to throughout the semester. That means going to class, taking notes, and reading all assignments. You should also stay on top of study guides as you progress through the semester. By taking care of business all semester, you will spare yourself the trouble of having to cram and panic when it's time to take midterms and finals.

Stay organized. Get an organizer, calendar, and task program, and then actually use them. With the right organization, you can stay on top of your assignments, essays, readings, and (yipee!) cancelled class dates. You'll be able to know at a glance what you need to do and where you need to be. Having this information will go a long way to avoiding panic and anxiety about what you've got to get done. Additionally, it will help you avoid stressful situations where you have to take care of assignments or meetings at the last minute because you've forgotten about them.

Take a break. As a student, your sleeping schedule probably isn't ideal and you may find yourself walking around like a zombie on campus some days. If you end up going to bed late and waking up a bit earlier than you'd like to, take advantage of power napping opportunities. Give yourself a regular dorm siesta, catch a few minutes of shuteye in the library, or just lay down and relax for a bit as you're reading textbooks outside.

Blow off some steam. No matter what you do, stress happens, and you have to confront it at some point in order to save your health and sanity. Find an outlet that helps you relieve stress. Popular stress relievers are exercise, deep breathing, visualization, and yoga. You can also get help from friends and loved ones-go out for the night, talk about your troubles, and have fun to make the stress of the week behind you melt away.

Being a college student doesn't have to mean being stressed. If you carefully plan, take care of assignments, and take care of yourself, you can beat stress and keep it from taking over your college life.

Staying Organized Throughout the Semester

Most semesters start out relaxed, but before you know it, you might find yourself behind on reading assignments and facing the first round of exams. The best way to avoid this? Staying organized from the beginning so that you know exactly what is expected of you and when. Here are some things that you can do the first week of class to ensure that you stay organized all semester.

First, organize your schoolwork. Buy a three-ring binder, page protectors, notebook paper, page dividers – the ones with a pockets work the best. Use the page dividers to make sections for all of your courses and then add a few page protectors and paper. Usually the first day of class is spent going over the course syllabus, which is important because it contains information about course requirements, attendance policies, and the exam and reading schedule. Throughout the semester, you will probably find yourself referencing it more times than you can count. Therefore, it is important to be able to quickly access it and keep it in good condition. To do this, place it in page protectors in the section you have designated for the course. The rest of the section can be used to keep lecture notes or the pockets in the page divider can be used to store any handouts or graded homework assignments that you don't want to lose.

Second, organize your schedule. After getting home from that first day of class, you might find yourself already overwhelmed with your course load. Yet, it is important to remember that assignments are spread out and you have plenty of time to complete them. That is, if you are able to plan ahead of time. It is important to make a calendar at the very beginning of the semester. There are several ways you can keep a calendar. If you are someone who prefers physically writing down your schedule on paper, you can purchase a planner or wall calendar. If you are more of a technological person, you can use Internet applications like Google Calendar and Yahoo Calendar to access your schedule on a computer. Begin by writing down all of the exams and quiz dates, due dates for projects and papers, and reading assignments for each class day. When you are done you will have a good visual picture of what your semester will look like, such as when you should be doing something school-related, and when you might have some free time.

The Course Syllabus: Your Best Friend

If you were fortunate to have a forward thinking high school teacher, you may have already been introduced to a course syllabus. Once you reach college, the syllabus is fairly universal. It is carefully constructed by the professor to include all pertinent information about his or her course for the whole semester. For larger classes, it is a way to cut down on answering repetitive questions. It includes a schedule for the semester of assignments, readings, tests, etc. It should list the required and recommended texts for the class. It will give an overview of the material to be covered over the semester. It will also include "housekeeping" information, such as attendance policies, grading procedures, and classroom expectations. Ultimately, the syllabus serves as the student's guide to the semester.

Once you have gathered all your courses' syllabi, you can start to map out your semester. Mark your personal calendar with all the important due dates from all of your courses. This will help you stay organized as you get deeper into each course. You can formulate a plan of attack in terms of the necessary time needed for major assignments. If you have a strong understanding of the schedules delineated in your syllabi, you can avoid being bogged down by the reading assignments as you can spread them out. Any time your professor announces a change to the syllabus, carefully mark down the adjustments on the syllabus itself and your calendar.

The "housekeeping" items in the syllabus give you a better understanding of the professor's expectations for the semester. You want to be aware of the attendance policy. As much as you may wish to never miss a class, unforeseen events always pop up over a semester. It could be an illness that keeps you out of class for a period of time or it could just be a day that you snooze through your alarm; regardless, you want to know what will happen if you miss a class. The attendance policy should always be listed and it eliminates the need to ask the embarrassing question about what happens if you miss a class. The professor will probably envision you as someone more concerned with partying than with studying.

Another important aspect of the syllabus is the breakdown of grades. You are no longer in high school where your teacher will send home a progress report to alert you and your parents if you are struggling. In college, you are expected to be more independent. Part of this lies in your taking ownership of your own progress. The syllabus should outline how much tests, quizzes, papers, and class participation count in your final grade. This will allow you to track where your grade is over the semester.

Your professor will probably go over the syllabus on the first day of class. Follow along and jot down any important notes that pop in your mind at this time. When you go home after class, read through it again so you can clear up any questions before the class really gets into motion.