Study advice Top time

Beat the clock

Mindful Education has some top time management tips for blended learning students

If you are new to blended learning you may be wondering how best to plan your at-home study time. Blended learning requires you to set some time aside during your week in which you can study online, which is great in terms of flexibility but also requires a real understanding of how to use your time wisely throughout the day.

We have put together some top tips for how best to manage your time during your blended learning studies.

Create a schedule Working towards your in-person class gives you an excellent starting point for creating a study schedule. Sit down on a weekly basis to plan out your work so that deadlines do not overwhelm you. Make sure that you can incorporate your studies into your daily routine, and remember to review your schedule frequently to ensure that it keeps working for you.

With blended learning, at-home lessons will often be released in intervals, which means you can concentrate on one area of the curriculum at once. However, if all your lesson materials are readily available at once, don’t feel pressure to study all the lessons as soon as possible, as this could actually prove counter-productive. Breaking the lessons up into chunks means that you will be able to concentrate and practice each topic more thoroughly.

Break your learning into small chunks Studying in shorter, more frequent sessions can often be more effective than longer study sessions. A good blended learning course will enable you to access your Virtual Learning Environment (VLE) when you are on the move. If you have a long work commute on the train or bus, utilise that time to log in and watch some tutorials, or have a go at some practice questions. You are in charge of your own schedule, which means you have the option to study when, where and how you want.

Seek support from your tutor and peers If you are still struggling with time management, do not be afraid to ask for help. Your tutor will be on hand to offer their guidance and support with your course and the workload that comes with it. Fellow students are also a fantastic source of study tips and ideas for how to achieve that elusive work-life-study balance, so make the most of your opportunity for group work during your in-class sessions.

Make sure you take time to relax Lastly, while you might have worked out how to maximise your time to include periods of study, you must not forget to make time to relax and enjoy some downtime. You want to avoid the risk of burnout.

Remember exercise and getting enough sleep is essential in keeping you energetic and motivated in your studies and day-to-day life. Rather than just opening YouTube or checking social media, use your breaks to get away from your desk. Go for a walk outside or spend time with others who might also be in the house.

If you are interested in studying an AAT qualification using our Online and On Campus blended learning approach then please visit the Mindful Education website to find your nearest provider.