Not to mention, when this happens you are likely to feel overwhelmed, frustrated, or both. A solid study strategy is what you need! It may sound simple, but getting back on track with your studies isn’t as challenging as it may seem. It all starts with strong study habits that suit you.

Getting the most from your training comes down to building habits that support study success. And it’s never too late to get sorted with some effective strategies to overhaul your approach to studying. With some tried and tested ideas and techniques, you can be focused and flying along in your course in no time.

Study success with strong habits

Is your study routine as effective as it could be? Do you know what support is available to you? Are you making time for doing things you love and relaxing? For study habits that work for you, they need to, well, work for you! Maximise your study outcomes and find the best strategies for you to incorporate and start to really enjoy your training journey.

Strong and effective study habits can be developed to foster a great study routine that will help you on your way to achieving your education and career goals.

Make a plan

Routines and schedules are underrated. Seeing everything that needs to be done laid out in front of you and piecing it together can help you to be more organised and stay focused on what needs to be done. Developing study habits requires consistency, and organisation and effective time management are key to fitting in everything that needs to be done without feeling overwhelmed. Thanks to flexible online study options, it’s easier than ever to make sure your study habits suit your life.

Study your way

Effective study habits need to be developed alongside your personal preferences. For example, do you prefer to study alone or are you more of a study group kind of person? Maybe you like to listen to music while you are studying? Or is a quiet space preferable? Day or night? At home or at the library? Are you most productive first thing in the morning? Or maybe you prefer to get stuck into studying in the evening? Work out what works for you and try to incorporate this into your study plan.

Get SMART with your goals

Taking a SMART approach is the smart way to go about setting your study goals. SMART stands for Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant and Timing — all things to consider when sorting out what your goals are and how to achieve them.

S<pecific: What do you want to accomplish and what needs to be done?
M<easurable: How will you track your progress on achieving this goal?
A<chievable: Know what is required to achieve the goal and be sure that it can be done based on any potential constraints.
R<elevant: Is it worthwhile, is this the right time and what will I get from accomplishing it?
T Work toward a deadline. When do you want to complete this goal and what mini-deadlines will help create a feasible timeline to get there?

Prioritise taking care of yourself

Sleep, regular exercise and healthy eating may sound like clichés when it comes to getting the most out of life and study, but it’s true. Getting enough sleep ensures that you are better able to focus, recall information and process the learning material. Exercise and healthy eating are essential for optimal functioning, and you’ll feel better for it too.

Avoid cramming

Cramming all your study into a giant block of time to get it done can be tempting, but for most people this isn’t productive. It’s likely that you will get more from your study time by breaking it up into smaller blocks. It’s often easier to fit in this way too as smaller periods of time are easier to come by, plus it gives you time to process what you’re learning before going back for more.

Reach out for support

Make a habit of asking for help when you need it. Asking for help isn’t just okay — it’s recommended! At Practical Outcomes we have a team of people who are dedicated to your study success! Your trainer is on hand to answer your questions, direct you to resources and guide you through your course. You can get extra help with literacy and numeracy from our LLN Coordinator — perfect for those who find that these areas aren’t their strong suit, or if English is your second language. Our team is there to ensure that you have everything you need and to support you in achieving study success.

Study habits to maximise your training

The flexibility of online early childhood education courses enables you to create a plan to study that fits in with your life. With a little planning and organisation, plus effective study habits, you can achieve your training and career goals in no time. Take a look at our checklist to discover if it’s time for you to start an early childhood education course and move into a meaningful career that you will love.

The Practical Outcomes team is here to help. Contact us to chat about your training and career goals, and get started.

Don’t worry — it’s not as challenging to get back into the swing of things as you may think. With the right support and some top tips, you will be able to return to studying with ease, even after a big break.

Whether you’ve been busy starting a family and caring for your children, your high-school gap year went longer than planned or you are keen to start a fresh career or upskill, returning to study is achievable.

Feel confident with returning to study after a break with these tips

Feeling concerned about how you will get your brain back on track for studying focus is normal. And at first, you might find it a little tricky, but in a short time you will flying along. These tips will help you settle into student life faster and more easily:

Goals in mind

Keep your eyes on the prize — you know what you want to achieve and how to get there, so if you start to feel overwhelmed or stressed during the training process, just remember why you’re doing this. You should also be able to reach out to your trainer who will help you to make a plan to tackle your studies and reach those goals in a way that is manageable for your circumstances.

Get organised

Things like knowing what’s coming up, what you need to do for it, and ensuring you have the right materials ready to go are all part of being organised for returning to study. Check through your course information and add important dates and deadlines into your calendar to keep track of everything that needs to be done. A little organisation goes a long way when it comes to creating a balanced study life.

Make a solid routine

Life can be busy. Between work, leisure, family commitments and taking care of yourself, it’s not surprising that the idea of fitting in study seems a bit much. A solid plan, schedule or routine will help you to manage everything effectively and reduce any potential stress in the process. Write it down or print it out and stick it on the wall or keep a photo of it on your phone so that you can refer to it and stay on top of everything in a manageable way. Be realistic and try to allow a little leeway for when things don’t go exactly to plan. Don’t forget to leave time for yourself and leave time for yourself and plenty of rest.

Create a dedicated study area

Engaging with your course materials and focusing on your studies is often easier when you are in the right environment. For most people, it’s important to minimise distractions. Seek out an area with good natural light and make sure you have everything you need within reach: a notebook, pen, chargers and accessible power points. A comfortable chair is a must too! Your study space may change from time to time; perhaps a café sometime, a library or even on the train, and that’s fine. It’s all about finding a space that works for you and maximises your ability to focus and learn effectively.

Enrol in a course with plenty of support

The last thing you want is to enrol, receive your course materials and be left to it on your own. This is especially true if you are just returning to study after a break. A high-quality course should always provide you with adequate support from experienced, knowledgeable trainers who will guide you through every step of your training journey.

Getting back to study and kicking career goals

Finding the right course to reach your individual goals is an important part of the process. A high-quality course with equally high-quality trainers (even for online courses) is key to study success, whether you’re returning after a break or just getting started.

Practical Outcomes dedicated trainer support is invaluable for every learner. With their wealth of experience in the sector within which they train, they have the insight required to guide learners on every step of their study journey. Our trainers take your individual goals and needs into account and ensure you get tailored support for the best study experience.

Online courses provide flexibility to help you get the most out of your time, while practical placement is incorporated into our courses so that you can finish your course feeling confident and ready to shine in the workforce. We also take a human-centred approach to education, supporting learners in developing soft skills that will add to their ability to thrive in early childhood education.

We have created a checklist to help you decide whether it’s time for you to start studying early childhood education! Take a look here.

Chat to the Practical outcomes team about your early childhood education career goals and how we can support you to reach them.

Often it comes down to showing your staff their worth and helping them to recognise what they’re capable of in the workplace. Investing in professional development opportunities is an investment in developing your business’s number one asset — its people. If enhancing the care standard and culture of your workplace is a priority, then professional development should be too.

The true value of professional development for early childhood education

In our fast-paced world, technology, expectations and standards are evolving quickly. This means our workforce needs to be ready to adapt, staying on top of the latest information and best practice. For employees to feel satisfied at work, they need the chance to build confidence in their individual capacity to adapt and evolve too. This is where professional development and upskilling can be invaluable.

Learning and growth to grow your childcare business

Being proactive about building the skills of your workforce is a simple yet effective way of taking a holistic approach to enhancing your early childhood service. With early childhood services striving toward the best National Quality Standard Rating (NQS Rating) possible, Practical Outcomes can provide education that will fulfil, or even surpass, the needs of your business and your staff now and in the future.

Reduce staff turnover:  Linkedin Learning’s 2019 Workplace Learning Report found that 94% of employees would stay with a company longer if it invested in their learning and development. Save time and money on recruitment while showing your employees that they are valued.

Maximise productivity: With the confidence and capabilities gained through additional training, you can expect your workforce to be more efficient and productive. When your team is highly trained, they also have the latest and greatest knowledge to benefit the way they approach their roles.

A higher standard of care: Early childhood educators who are equipped with quality information and training are better able to provide the highest possible standard of care. Enhancing your team enhances your centre at the same time, which can attract more enrolments.

Educators thrive through professional development

The incredible benefits of professional development for your team can have a positive impact on your educators professionally, as well as personally.

Level up skills and knowledge: Keeping your industry know-how up to date is vital and regular professional development means you have the latest information and tools to do your job to the highest standard.

Feeling happier at work: Everyone wants to feel satisfied within their career, and professional development can improve your enjoyment of work. Knowing that your employer has invested in you and your skillset is incredibly rewarding.

Confidence and passion: Confidence at work enables you to do a better job and enjoy your job more, making getting up for work every day much easier. Professional development training builds your confidence and sparks your passion.

Meeting the needs of your educators

To get the most out of upskilling and training your team, you need to show your employees that professional development will be worth their time and energy. There are many ways to do this, including asking yourself a few questions:

Do I know what my staff needs? Talk to your employees, listen to what they want and need, survey teams anonymously and ask for feedback and insights to guide your approach professional development. The training should help your team to be better and do better, and they can help you identify gaps in their own skillsets that need to be filled.

Is it worth it? For committed uptake, training should respect your employees’ time. Firstly, it should be scheduled in such a way that is respectful of their lives and other commitments. Secondly, it should be worth their time. Often this means the professional development is goal-oriented, enabling them to extend their skills with the potential view of climbing in their careers.

Am I being innovative? The training you offer your staff needs to engage them, stimulate them and excite them. If you offer the same training each year, chances are it will be met with disinterest and your workforce is unlikely to learn and grow. Be innovative and tailor your professional development to your unique business and staff.

Culture of continuous learning

Supporting a team of employees in gaining more skills and knowledge, increasing job satisfaction in your workplace and reducing staff turnover, while enhancing the quality of care offered by your child care service? Professional development makes it possible.

Practical Outcomes specialises in delivering professional development and upskilling opportunities for the early childhood education sector. We deliver a range of courses and training, including our Diploma in Early Childhood Education and Care (CHC50113).

Nurturing your business and your team by creating a culture of continuous learning and growth can take your childcare service to the next level. If you would like more information about how we can support your professional development goals, please get in touch with us.

Flexible online study is now more useful than ever. It means that learners at Practical Outcomes have been able to continue on their learning journey despite the upheaval of the COVID-19 pandemic and any other disruptions that may have popped up in their lives. Online study means learners can continue toward their qualifications from just about anywhere, at any time. Now that’s flexible learning!

Why flexible online study is vital

Learning never stops and with flexible online study, learning can fit in with existing commitments and work around any disruptions. Personal circumstances should not be limitations for achieving your study goals.

Learning with an easy-to-access online portal and thoughtfully designed material ensures more people have the opportunity to gain the qualifications they want regardless of their lifestyle. There are many reasons why people may prefer to study from home or elsewhere at their own time. As well as during this time of social distancing, online study can suit those who have busy lifestyles, limited time or who may live remotely and cannot commute for campus study.

Not all online study is created equal

At Practical Outcomes, we help you to get the most of out of your childcare course with a dedicated trainer and support that is tailored to your unique journey.

Ideally, the online delivery mode of your childcare course will combine the many benefits of on-campus studying with the convenience of completing your learning at a time and place that works for you.

Supportive trainers dedicated to your success

When we designed our online learning portal, we were careful to ensure that learners would be allocated a trainer who would guide them throughout their course – from start to finish.

Support is tailored to each individual’s needs and can be provided via phone, email or video chat. If you need help with assessments or have questions along the way, you aren’t alone – your trainer will be on hand to help as needed.

Interactive and easy to access

Our childcare courses theory components are all online, so you can get on with your learning from the comfort of wherever you are without undue stress. Being able to access everything you need in one place maximises the flexibility of your online study options.

Online learning presents the opportunity for learners to access an interactive experience through videos and quizzes, along with the convenience of being able to submit assessments online. Getting qualified from your couch doesn’t get much better than this!

Study online for a flexible approach to training

Life can be busy and constantly changing. Whether you’re a parent, currently working or have other life commitments, training online is perfect. You decide where and when your training takes place! Fitting study into your life can be simple and supported with Practical Outcomes’ online learning.

Learn more about our early childhood education courses now!

The opportunity to study online means that you can continue to pursue the course you are after even during the COVID-19 pandemic. With the right training provider and a few study tips, you can use this extra time at home to get qualified and be ready for a meaningful career in early childhood education. Ready to get started studying online? These study tips will help:

Find the perfect study space

A dedicated space where you can study with minimal distractions will give you a solid starting point for your online learning experience. Natural light, a comfortable chair and somewhere to keep everything plugged in and charged is ideal.

Structure your study time

Rather than going in with only good intentions, plan how you will spend your study time in advance. Allocate how long you want to spend on specific areas and stick to it.

Reduce distractions

In our fast-paced, technology-focused world, distractions are everywhere. Get extra productive by putting your phone away or try switching it off during the period of time when you need to study.

Do what works for you

Are you a better learner in the morning or do you find the evening works better for you? This may depend on your existing work and family commitments, so structure your online study time in a way that is suited to your life. For some students, the right kind of music can help them to study more effectively. Others prefer to study in silence. Get to know what works for you and find environments that suit.

Get the support you need

Online learning should not mean unsupported learning. When you study online with Practical Outcomes, you get a dedicated trainer who is there for you from start to finish of your course. Your trainer is committed to your success and supporting you along your learning journey, sharing their own knowledge and experience to improve to your learning.

Don’t forget self-care

Looking after yourself is vital for learning and optimal functioning. Make sure you are doing the right things for yourself. This means getting enough sleep, eating healthy meals and exercising regularly. Don’t forget to reward yourself with the things you love too!

The state-of-the-art Practical Outcomes online study portal offers you the opportunity to gain your chosen qualifications. Browse our childcare courses online or contact us to begin your learning journey.

Enrolling in a course is exciting. No doubt you’ve selected the course you want to do, but there are a couple of other things to do next before you get stuck into your training.

Meeting all the requirements

Take a look at the requirements of your course. These are usually called prerequisites. Prerequisites outline what you need to know or have completed previously in order to be able to enrol in your course. It’s best to contact us to chat about this if you’re unsure, and we can help get you on the right path to meet your goals.

Think about delivery mode

You’ll have to choose a delivery mode such as workplace or Virtual campus during the enrolment process. It’s helpful to think about this in the lead up and consider things like transport, work commitments, children and various other individual circumstances.

Course fees

Part of the enrolment process is determining how you will pay for your course and what funding or loan options you can access.

Our course advisors can guide you through government funding and pricing based on your location course and any concessions. This information varies from person to person, so it’s best to speak directly to Practical Outcomes to get a clear understanding of your fee options.

You’re nearly there!

Your career is just around the corner — make it happen by getting in touch with us today.