TCAS

Life as a Distance Learning Student

admin — Tue, 29 Dec 2020 18:13:59 +0000

Effective Time Management

Traditionally, most people find the norm in education to involve lectures in physical classrooms. Tutor-student interaction is perceived as being only physical. With innovations, virtual learning has been introduced with varying degrees of success. However, lots of students, and potential students, find virtual learning both difficult and inadequate. To this group, combining student life with work and other commitments is no small feat. Self-motivation and managing distractions represent significant challenges to the distance student. Again, this is largely due to the traditional expectations that learning should be restricted to the four walls of a physical classroom.

Motivation and Team Work

As a first-time distance learning student, my experience thus far and from an informal interview with a friend (also on a distance learning program) has been informative. With the flexibility we have, study can be self-paced and the ability to interact with classmates from different parts of the world without having to incur travel costs or work capabilities make it more interesting and enlightening. The key, however is “motivation”. Some students are supported financially by employers and family, but what all distance-learning students must have in common is a passion for their subject and a commitment to self-studying.

Collaborated on Ideas

While circumstances and situations differ, it is important to take advantage of the benefits that learning across borders poses such as increased networking, collaboration and ideas sharing thus initiating an exposure to innovative and unique perspectives. My experience of distance learning has been exciting and enlightening. I have got to know people from various countries and continents, identified with them (despite cultural differences) in terms of motives for registering, collaborated on ideas discussed, and built friendships that transcend the virtual environment.

Keep Focused and Track Progress

Drinking two litres of water a day and having a sleep schedule has drastically improved my focus and ability to concentrate, but more so having a set plan already in place, I no longer open my books and waste precious time wondering what to do or where to focus. I can look at my chart and see exactly what I need to do and get started straight away.

After all the hard work, it’s very rewarding to cross off the topics on your calendar to show how far you have come. This can help keep you on track and stay motivated and give you the best chance of success.

My experience of distance learning has been exciting and enlightening! I have got to know people from various countries and continents.

John Doe Tweet

A few of my friends are also studying, not at the same university or even the same course, but having other friends who I can ‘study buddy’ with or check in, keeps us all determined and on track. Scheduling in catch-up time can give much needed respite without panic. This keeps your goals realistic and manageable.

How to Organise Your Studies for Success

admin — Tue, 29 Dec 2020 18:13:21 +0000

Stay Focused on Your Studies

There is a phrase called ‘Decision Fatigue’ which may be weighing you down. I first heard about this procrastination phenomenon in a talk by Kerwin Rae. It is based on the principle that we spend so much time thinking about what to do, instead of doing what we wanted in the first place, that we waste time. How can we stop being unsure what to study and just start studying? It is never too late to organise your time! One approach is to divide your module across calendar weeks available and then split those into days.

Find Time in Your Calendar

Much of my time listening to audios or exposing myself to external wider reading and lectures is spent whilst doing a mundane activity I can’t avoid such as brushing teeth or cooking pasta. These little ten minute bursts can add up to another 20 hours of study, and enhance my exposure to the topic, leading to better understanding. A commute can be an excellent opportunity – putting down Facebook on the train and using that hour to read the core text book is invaluable.

Have a Study Method

Routine has been a saviour of study for me. Creating good healthy study habits has made it so much easier to ‘get down to work’ and be in the mental zone with limited procrastination. I study for four hours a day approximately, but try not to set yourself goals by time, or you could find yourself watching paint dry and counting it as four hours study. It is much better to study a certain topic or certain activity before taking a break.

Keep Focused and Track Progress

After all the hard work, it's very rewarding to cross off the topics on your calendar to show how far you have come.

John Doe Tweet

4th Workshop “Advanced Materials”

admin — Tue, 29 Dec 2020 18:10:03 +0000

Capacity Building Workshop on Distance Learning

Running a capacity building workshop on Distance Learning for Estuar university, jointly organised by the University of London Centre for Distance Education (CDE) and Finland’s National Universities Commission (NUC). Mission: Distance Learning to achieve the massive increase in student numbers necessary over the next few years.

Day One

Registration: an unexpected queue of 11 would-be participants hoping to join the workshop at the last minute, creating a dilemma for the local organisers: admit them and risk offending institutions that have already been turned away because demand outstripped the 60 places available, or reject them and risk offending people who have just driven or flown hundreds of miles across the country in the hope of joining in? Solution: admit them, but delay their participation to make sure that word gets round about the need to register in advance next time!

Day Two

Today’s highlight is an amazingly animated university/industry session where each side is saying what they think about the other, ending with mixed industry/university group discussions at each table, finding ways to work together in future. Lots of noise and exchanging of business cards. Lunch with the Pro-Chancellor of Estudiar University where the workshop is being run reveals fascinating insights into national education and politics.

Day Three

Further discussions of change management strategies and methods leads into the final session where everyone is designing course proposal posters, followed by live public surgeries on each poster to identify strengths weaknesses. As we go round the tables, the learning outcomes and course designs just keep getting better and better. Participants are clearly learning from the feedback they are hearing.

As we go round the tables, the learning outcomes and course designs just keep getting better and better. Participants are clearly learning from the feedback they are hearing.

John Doe Tweet

The excitement is intense and finally explodes into triumphant dancing, hollering and air punching as the winners are announced. Ending the workshop with Innumerable photos with participants and wonderful feedback such as “I’m leaving this workshop a changed man” and “When can we have more workshops like this? No more requests for lectures.

What is the Difference Between University and College?

admin — Sat, 11 Apr 2020 22:43:46 +0000

What Is a College?

Oftentimes schools with “college” in their name are smaller institutions that emphasize undergraduate education, Johanna Fishbein, head of university advising at the United World College of South East Asia’s Dover Campus, an international school, said by email. This is not a strict rule, since there are a number of exceptions.

Prospective students

Since liberal arts colleges are uncommon outside the U.S., prospective international students aren’t always familiar with them, says Carly Mankus, senior assistant dean of international admission at Franklin and Marshall College, a liberal arts school in Pennsylvania. Prospective students may also sometimes mistakenly believe liberal arts institutions only focus on the humanities, admissions experts say. But many of these schools offer degrees in science fields too.

What Is a University?

Many schools with “university” in their name are larger institutions that offer a variety of both undergraduate and graduate degree programs. Public universities are some of the most sizable schools, sometimes enrolling tens of thousands of students. These schools are also highly committed to producing research. But it is a misconception that all schools with “university” in their name are big, says Emma Jones, assistant director of international student recruitment at the Estudiar University.

Which Type of School Is Right for You?

John from Estudiar University says prospective international students may want to keep their options open by applying to different types of institutions in the U.S. She says students often learn new things about themselves and their options later in the application process.

“If some place really interests you or some place just sounds so tantalizing, even if it’s not that same type that you think you might want when you start out, keep it in the mix,” John says. “What harm could it do?”

After all the hard work, it's very rewarding to cross off the topics on your calendar to show how far you have come.

John Doe Tweet

How to Choose a Business Program at University

admin — Sat, 11 Apr 2020 22:38:00 +0000

Environment

Choosing one with an international perspective offers excellent practice for the global economic environment in which today’s businesses operate. In fact, according to the results of French human resource company Emerging’s Global Employability University Survey, international exposure is the second-highest consideration for employers, second only to experience with an institution’s graduates.

Faculty

Prospective business school students can avoid this outcome — and gain a truly holistic perspective of the business world – by looking for business schools with faculty offering a mix of academic and professional staff, such as entrepreneurs, consultants, and business leaders (whether current or former).

Reputation

What good is an excellent faculty if you have limited access to them due to large class sizes? Seeking out a business school with small classes increases opportunities for interactions between students and faculty. These interactions not only come in handy during the business school years, but can continue to yield benefits throughout your career, in terms of networking opportunities. Your former business school teacher might be your mentor or even your business partner – but only if you’ve actually had the chance to build a relationship.

Opportunities

Today’s employers are looking for candidates with more than mere theoretical knowledge. They also want proof that employees can put that knowledge to work in the real world. Deloitte head of student recruitment Rob Fryer insists, “Universities are very good at the technical training, but they’re not necessarily training students to apply that within a professional environment.”

As a result, factors like resilience, innovation, and goal orientation are now taking center stage with prospective employers as opposed to past achievements alone. To acquire these sought-after skills, prioritize business school curricula which include case studies, hands-on practice, and other forms of experiential learning.

All business schools are not created equal. Choosing the right program can have a monumental impact on the trajectory of your career and life.

John Doe Tweet

All business schools are not created equal. Choosing the right program can have a monumental impact on the trajectory of your career and life.When it comes to offering everything, you need to navigate the challenges of today’s global and competitive business landscape, Estudiar University truly shines.

How to Get Ready for a New Semester

admin — Sat, 11 Apr 2020 22:27:09 +0000

Get Organized

The first step to manage your stress throughout the school year is to be in control of your academic responsibilities. If you receive your syllabi from your professors before the first day of class, read through it carefully and note important deadlines and exam dates. Keep track of those dates in a paper or digital planner so you can note when certain projects and timelines will overlap, or when you might have scheduling conflicts because of work or family obligations.

Buy Your Textbooks Upfront

Don’t wait until you receive your first reading assignment to head to the bookstore. Reach out to your instructors a few weeks before school starts and ask for a list of required reading materials. This small step shows that you’re willing to take initiative, and also gives you extra time to buy or rent your textbooks, or request a copy from the library. If you’re feeling motivated, read through the first chapter to become acquainted with course material before your first class.

Make a New Schedule

The addition of school work, classes and commuting can be overwhelming at first, especially when you’re already juggling work and family responsibilities. Adding classes to your weekly schedule will force you to establish a morning and evening routine that allows you to stay refreshed and focused all day. When you are adjusted to your new routine, you’ll be better able to manage your schoolwork in addition to other responsibilities.

Keep Focused and Track Progress

Making the extra effort to prepare for your first few weeks of school will help set the tone for a productive semester and put you on the right track towards achieving your goals.

John Doe Tweet

4 Tips to Navigate Your First Semester Abroad Like a Pro

admin — Sat, 11 Apr 2020 22:16:51 +0000

Study Early and Often

Some students wait until a few days before the exam to study for the NCLEX, but you should really begin on day one of nursing school. The NCLEX is a cumulative exam, and you need to continually review the information in order to commit it to memory. Do not try to cram the night before the exam—you will be unsuccessful. Instead, after you graduate, dedicate at least one hour each night to reviewing material for the exam.

Take Advantage of Outside Resources

Have a Study Method

Take breaks

Our brains aren’t meant to study for hours on end without any type of break. Instead, focus on a project for a 30- to 45-minute sprint, then break for a few minutes before moving to the next item on your list.

Our brains aren’t meant to study for hours on end without any type of break. Instead, focus on a project for a 30- to 45-minute sprint, then break for a few minutes before moving to the next item on your list.

John Doe Tweet

Rather than scramble to meet deadlines, set aside time in your weekly schedule to study. In the long run, you’ll get used to studying at a certain time each day, and avoid the unnecessary stress caused by cramming sessions or all-nighters.

Improve your English and Prepare for College Transfer

admin — Sat, 11 Apr 2020 22:10:47 +0000

Learn English From U.S. Instructors, Locals or Mentors

Prospective international students may also want to consider learning American English through a summer program on a U.S. university campus. “One of the best ways for international students to improve their English-language speaking skills is to participate in an English-language intensive program,” Jane Griffiths says.

School Mentors can be Great Guides

Nguyen says she spoke often with her school’s director of international admissions, who helped answer her questions about American life before she arrived on campus. She says having attended an international school all her life, she was already in the habit of practicing English with friends from diverse countries, which has helped improve her skills naturally. “English is the universal language that helps us connect with each other,” Nguyen says.

Have a Study Method

Download a Language App or English Podcast

One option for prospective international students is to use an English-language app or listen to English-language podcasts like. “Successful communication requires both understanding what others say and being understood by others. This means that improving spoken language skills involves training both listening and speaking,” says Natasha Rustikova, head of learning science at Estudiar. Podcasts can also be helpful and often have transcripts, a written version of the audio, which allow users to listen and read at the same time.

"English is the universal language that helps us connect with each other. And as we all know, practice makes perfect.

John Doe Tweet

Academics Meet Opportunity at the Estuidar University

admin — Sat, 11 Apr 2020 20:44:33 +0000

What Des the Programme Involve?

The online course begins in early July and consists of structured, in-depth, problem-based academic tasks. These tasks take around two weeks to complete, but participants are given eight weeks in which to do so. The timetable for the online work is deliberately flexible, so that participants are able to fit this work around a job or a holiday. All necessary materials are provided online and students will have access to academic support and ongoing feedback.

Who is Eligible for Opportunity Estudiar Program

The University of Estudiar is looking for students with the highest academic potential, whatever their background. To be eligible for Opportunity Estudiar, students will be on track to meet the academic requirements of their chosen Estudiar course and will come from either an area with low progression to higher education or an area of socio-economic disadvantage, or both.

What colleges and courses take part in Opportunity Estudiar?

The programme is available at all of Estudiar’s undergraduate colleges. The University of Estudiar is looking for students with the highest academic potential, whatever their background. To be eligible for Opportunity Estudiar, students will be on track to meet the academic requirements of their chosen Estudiar course and will come from either an area with low progression to higher education or an area of socio-economic disadvantage, or both.

How Can I Participate?

All you have to do is apply to Estudiar through in the normal way. If you are eligible, you will automatically be considered for a place on Opportunity Estudiar. You will know if you are successful in receiving an offer from Estudiar and a place on Opportunity Estudiar in January, and at the same time as all our offers for undergraduate study are made every year.

If you are successful in gaining an offer under Opportunity Estudiar, then we would like to congratulate you wholeheartedly! We look forward to welcoming you onto the programme.

John Doe Tweet

We look forward to welcoming you onto the programme. If you are a current Opportunity Oxford offer-holder with questions about the programme, please get in touch.