The internet has been a revelation when it comes to allowing people access to education. You can now study for a bachelor’s degree without setting foot on a university campus.
Having the ability to study anywhere, at any time is perfect for those people who want to study for their dream career but don’t necessarily have the time or money to take a more formal, classroom-based qualification.
If you’re thinking about upskilling or changing careers entirely, the internet could be your best friend.
Decide on your goal
Are you dreaming of a new career? Do you want to know how to become an electrician or learn to code? Maybe you’ve lost you’re job and are looking for a clean start. Or do you want to learn skills that will benefit you in your current path and help you get that promotion?
There are loads of options, like No-Code, for those who want to build new skills. Of course, though, knowing where you want to get to is the first step.
Knowing where you want to get to is the first step.
Do your research
Certain career choices require you to have specific accreditations of qualifications to get your foot in the door. Find out what these are so you know exactly how much work you’ll have to do to achieve your goal. If you’re unsure of what you need, take a look at as many job ads as you can find and create a list of accreditations and skills you need to have.
Find the right learning platforms
Your research should have left you with a list of learning objectives. The next thing you need to do is find out where they are available to study. There are a number of online providers out there offering different levels and quality of courses.
Platforms such as Udemy, Coursera, and EdX are becoming increasingly popular for people looking to learn new skills, but don’t necessarily have any educational prerequisites. They exist to provide knowledge to everyone regardless of their background.
Plan to succeed
You’ve done your research, found your course, and enrolled online. Now you actually have to get started and do the work. Plan your life so that you can devote yourself to achieving in your online studies as well as holding down your regular job and any other commitments you might have. It might seem impossible to keep all those plates spinning but think about working harder, not smarter.
Schedule study time and stick to it. There’s so much to distract us in our lives. A quick check of social media can turn into hours of watching pointless videos or chatting with friends when you really should be working. Make it easier on yourself by minimizing distractions.
Have a social life too - all work and no play will fast lead to burnout. Downtime is important to your mental and physical health.
Look after your health - maintaining a healthy lifestyle will not only keep you in good shape but has many positive benefits in relation to your memory and productivity, both great to have when you’re studying.