Getting Started
In today’s busy world finding time to complete a course can be daunting. We all have conflicting priorities –family, kids, friends, work, exercise and that elusive down time that we all need allowing us to recharge and reinvigorate. With all this in mind completing a course can feel monumental, like climbing a giant mountain. But once completed the rewards are great – the feeling of accomplishment gained from working towards and completing a course is fantastic – but the getting there can be challenging.
RETS provide many of their courses in an online format. Online studying has its pro’s and cons, like any mode of delivery. Online courses can provide much flexibility to those who have those competing day to day priorities – you can study on the weekends around work commitments, in the evenings when the kids are in bed, or in the middle of the night when it is quiet and there are no distractions. A career in real estate often means working long hours and finding a course that works for you when you want to do it can be tough. Online learning means you can do your training and assessment when and where you want to.
Completing an online course also means that you need to be organised and ensure your training approach is structured. To succeed you need discipline and a sound strategy. Having provided online training to property agents for over 20 years we have outlined below what we have found to be key factors that assist in students completing their courses.
1) Spend your time studying, not just thinking about it. We are all good at procrastinating, and it is always amazing how badly you want to mop the floor, take the dog for a walk or clean the toilet instead of studying. Recognise you are procrastinating and get on with the study! Tip: set a timer for 20 minutes and get as much done as possible. Take a five minute break and go again. You’d be amazed at how much you can achieve when you concentrate. If your mind starts to wander away from studying, bring your thoughts back to it and keep going. If you think of a task you need to do, make a quick note and get back to your course.
2) Make it a habit – a little bit every day or week will see you get things done. People who succeed persevere.
3) Time management – schedule it into your calendar and set reminders and plan your study out a few weeks in advance. If you work best in the mornings schedule your course then, if it is evenings make the time after dinner. What works for your friend or family member might not work for you, so find out how you best focus and get things done.
4) When you sit down to study leave your mobile phone in another room (on silent), turn off email alerts and social media. Close all other windows.
5) Tidy space leads to a tidy mind - organise your study space. Be organised before you sit down to study – glass of water, laptop, note pad, pen etc should be there and ready to go. Don’t give yourself an excuse to start procrastinating again when you walk into the kitchen to get some water, then decide to start washing up.
6) How do you eat an elephant, one bite at a time…complete an assessment per day, or a unit per week – break the course down and take small steps
7) And lastly remember why you are doing a RETS course…pay rise? government requirement with timeframes? better job prospects? Focus on this reason when you start to find your mind wandering or your procrastination gets the better of you.