We understand trying to decide if you should start studying again \u2013 and how you\u2019ll balance your study with the rest of your life \u2013 can be overwhelming.<\/p>\n
Questions like\u00a0will I be able to focus? What if I can\u2019t remember how to study? What happens if I can\u2019t cope with the workload?\u00a0<\/i>are all hugely valid questions. But while you should definitely consider the answers to them, make sure you\u2019re not using these questions as blockers to your career goals.<\/p>\n
Life just keeps getting busier. Between work, family, and friends, there\u2019s often very little time left in the day to focus on the things we really want. The idea of somehow fitting studying into this is almost unimaginable for many. But we are confident that you CAN fit your study into the rest of your life. The Institute of Data has seen many graduates (like\u00a0Ez Yiap<\/a>\u00a0or\u00a0Supriya Maradana<\/a>) successfully complete our programs while juggling all types of different commitments. We know you can do it too.<\/p>\n Here are our 3 best steps to successfully balancing your study with the rest of your life\u2019s commitments.<\/p>\n Before you even commit, it\u2019s essential to determine the capacity in which you can study. For many students, full-time study works perfectly. If you\u2019re in-between careers or have just graduated from school and are unsure of which direction to head in, starting full-time can be ideal.\u00a0Full-time study can be fantastic<\/a>\u00a0if you\u2019d like to focus on little else while you study, and it can even be suitable for parents looking to move back into the workforce.<\/p>\n Part-time is also an excellent option. It\u2019s best for those who might be wanting to study to upskill their capabilities in their current role, or those who might be working a full schedule already and don\u2019t have the opportunity (whether for financial reasons or otherwise) to leave steady employment before they\u2019re certified.<\/p>\n To get an idea of what might suit you best, conduct a time audit. Take some notes about where you spend a lot of your time. What do you do with your time? Do you have a lot of spare time that could be repurposed for study?<\/p>\n If you\u2019re struggling to decide between part-time or full-time,\u00a0have a chat with one of our expert course advisors<\/a>\u00a0and get their guidance. They\u2019ve helped hundreds of students work out how to fit studying into their lives, and are full of incredible advice.<\/p>\n This one might be obvious, but that\u2019s only because it is a genuinely life-changing piece of advice when applied properly. The key here is to be realistic with your time. Don\u2019t schedule out days worth of studying into a timeframe that you can\u2019t actually commit to. Each week, sit down with your calendar and see where the best times to study are in your upcoming week.<\/p>\n Try to avoid scheduling study blocks around big life things like birthdays, holidays, celebrations etc. When you know you\u2019ve got an occasion coming up, increase your studying time before and after the occasion. That way you can relax and enjoy yourself, knowing you\u2019ve done that little bit of extra studying beforehand, and have dedicated time to getting right back into it afterwards. Remember: your study is important, but so are you. So make sure you\u2019re making time for yourself and enjoying your life!<\/p>\n Once you\u2019ve decided to commit and it\u2019s time to sit down and study, set yourself up for success. Even if you have dedicated study blocks and have worked your study in around your existing commitments, these won\u2019t mean anything if you aren\u2019t actually making good use of your studying time. So, get good at minimising distractions, like your phone.<\/p>\n This means putting your phone on silent or aeroplane mode and popping it into a drawer. If you need to be contactable at all times for whatever reason, set up your phone to allow calls or messages to come through from particular people only, excluding everyone else. That way, you know you can be reached in case of emergency, and don\u2019t need to keep peeking at your phone to check.<\/p>\n Other distractions, like housemates or children, can\u2019t be put away in a drawer. But they can be managed effectively. If you live with others, write a sign and post it up in your study area that says you\u2019re in study mode. For those with children, a supportive spouse, friend or family member can help by distracting the little ones while you focus on expanding your learning and knowledge.<\/p>\n These are just three great ways to balance your study with the rest of your life. There are so many different tricks and tips available to help you successfully manage your commitments, but the most important thing to realise is that it\u00a0can\u00a0<\/i>be done. You are very capable of achieving the career goals you want for yourself. You just need to take the first step.<\/p>\n As to where that first step will take you? That\u2019s up to you. But generally speaking, after just 3 months full-time or 6 months part-time, you\u2019ll be well on your way to building a career pathway. New and exciting prospects will open up for you in an industry that will only continue to grow and expand over the coming years.<\/p>\n1. Decide if part-time or full-time is better suited to your schedule<\/h2>\n
2. Plan ahead<\/h2>\n
3. Find your focus<\/h2>\n