Training

Using your study time effectively during the COVID-19 period

It goes without saying that the world is facing an unprecedented challenge as everyone grapples with the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, but even during these trying times it is crucial to effectively manage your time in lockdown.

Use this time effectively

We are all dealing with time management on top of the undeniably chaotic events that are unfolding due to the COVID-19 pandemic. However, the time available to you now is one of the most valuable resources you have as you work towards your qualification. You only have so much time in the day, and sometimes it feels like it just flies by. When it comes time to completing your studies, students often wonder where all the time went. The important thing to remember is that there are 24 hours in every day and that is the same for everyone. Because no student has more time than another, sometimes good time management can make all the difference in achieving your qualification or achieving other life goals.

Although it may sometimes feel like a waste of time, there are huge time savings to be had when you plan out your day. Below are some of the many reasons why you may want to learn how to plan your everyday life and get organised to manage your work schedule with studies. z It helps to prioritise – a good study plan will help you take care of the important and urgent tasks first. z It helps with being realistic – we often do not realise how long a task really takes. A study plan shows you how long you spend on common tasks such as readings, trainer marked activities and assessment writing. z It helps you procrastinate less – with a written list of tasks you are more likely to sit down and just get it done. z It helps you be more productive – you should know exactly what you will study before you sit down at your desk. z It helps give you more freedom – when you plan, you know that you will be finished at a certain time. Students who do not plan well often find themselves working all evening without realising it.

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It helps reduce guilt – if you know that you have achieved your goals for the day then you can spend your free time without your studies on your mind. It helps you track your progress – stick to your study plan and you will know that you are on course to get everything that you need to achieve completed. It helps you plan for the long-term – good organisation removes the uncertainty from your study and helps you focus on getting the best results possible from your learning experience.

Good planning is the key to getting the most from all your activities. This discipline also helps create a good study-life balance and will benefit you in many areas of your life for years to come.

Be organised

The key message is that good organisation is the key to being successful; with better organisation you will be on top of things from day one and will not have to stress when your assessment is due. I know it sounds too easy, but it really is the key to success.

The best approach is one which breaks your goals up into three different types: short, medium and longterm. A great way for students to describe these would be as daily, weekly and term goals. You can record these in your study planner, with daily goals being quite detailed and term goals being more general and giving you an overall understanding of your studies. z Your daily plan can hold a day by day account of your assignments and areas of study. The best time to prepare your study plan is in the evening, when you have finished studying for the day and know what needs to be focused on the following day, so make a to-do list or list of short-term goals for the next day then. z Your weekly plan can be used to give you an overall plan for the week, a list of approaching tasks to be achieved over the next seven days. z Your monthly plan will provide you with a broader view of your studies and will assist you to plan ahead.

General tips to maintain your well-being during these times

Some tips to consider that will set you up for success:

Set boundaries: This will have to be done both with your work team and when you are at home. You will need to get structured about space and work hours. On the work side, discuss with your manager and team members what hours should be focused time and what needs to be available for meetings and impromptu calls. Remember that you might be saving time by not travelling to and from work, use this extra time to your advantage.

Manage your calendar: Treat the time as a locked meeting the same way you would if you were meeting others. Manage your time in between meetings by setting aside time to get work done and remember to take your lunch break even though you might be working from home.

Acknowledge your feelings: During this time feelings of anxiety and stress are common, know that it is okay to feel that way. Allow yourself time to notice and express what you are feeling. This could be through, talking with others, or channelling your emotions into your studies or other activities around the home.

Maintain your day-to-day activities: Having a healthy routine can have a positive impact on your thoughts and feelings. Go back to basics: eating healthy meals, physical exercise (e.g., walking, stretching, running, cycling), and make sure you get enough sleep.

Keep things in perspective: When many things feel uncertain or out of our control, one of the most effective ways we can manage stress and anxiety is to focus on the actions that are in our control.

Remember keep calm and keep studying!

Recent graduates

AICM would like to congratulate its recent graduates:

Certificate III in Mercantile Agents:

Amelia Symes SA FNS30415 – Certificate III in Mercantile Agents Mercantile CPA

Certificate IV in Credit Management

Stefanie Patane NSW FNS40115 – Certificate IV in Credit Management ParaQuad NSW and BrightSky Australia

Statement of Attainments

Caroline Warner

James Tan SA

NSW BNSMCA302 Repossess property FNSMCA402 Initiate legal recovery of debts FNSMCA303 Serve legal process

FNSCRD401 – Assess credit applications Mercantile Credit Management

Grenke

AICM is committed to helping busy credit professionals study anywhere, all our credit course are offered as online courses, should you wish to utilise this time to progress your studies or undertake a new challenge by completing one of our qualifications.