Studying Externally

Sometimes it's hard staying motivated when studying externally due to less interaction with other students and staff. Here are some common problems experienced by external students and strategies for tackling them.

Not sure where to begin?

Getting started can be difficult, as you mightn't know where to begin due to too little or too much information. Instead of delaying, make a start by completing the ten steps suggested in 10 Steps to Get Started. Then establish a study routine built around the suggested Weekly Tasks for External Students.

Isolation

It’s easy to feel isolated when you’re studying at home. Use the discussion forums on your course websites to connect with other students and develop networks. If you have questions about course content, email the Course Coordinator or share those questions on the forum. You can also connect with your peers and the wider university community by following UniSA on Facebook and Twitter.

Procrastination and distractions

Often when students are anxious about starting a task or encounter a problem, they procrastinate. When studying from home, there are plenty of distractions to fuel procrastination: TV, housework, surfing the web, and spending time with friends, family, partners and pets. Rather than using these as distractions, try turning them into incentives for getting work done. For example, aim to read a difficult chapter or write two tricky paragraphs for an assignment, and then watch TV as your reward. Sometimes more practical actions can be beneficial. For example, if you find you’re too easily distracted at home, try studying at a nearby campus or your local library.

Time management issues

Due to the many commitments students juggle each week - work, partners, children, family, sports, social, gardening, and housework - it can be difficult to fit in study. Also, if you don’t keep track of when assignments are due, this can result in missed deadlines or intense periods struggling to meet deadlines. Read this section on Time Management for tips and advice.

Writer's block

Many students experience writer's block at some point - some on a regular basis - and it can be difficult to overcome. Talk to yourself or a friend to help you work out what you want to say in your assignment. Once you have your thoughts clear, writing becomes easier. You can focus on other tasks in the meantime or respond strategically, e.g. if you’re having trouble writing the introduction to an assignment, skip ahead to the body and return to the intro at the end. Alternatively, if you wrote the body first and are having trouble with the intro, re-read the body to remind yourself about the shape of the assignment. If you’re stuck on a particular section of your assignment, move on to another section and return to the tricky one later. Sometimes a change of setting or short break can be beneficial: try relocating or taking a half hour off and see if that changes things.

Review your workload

After the first few weeks of study, review your workload. If you’re not managing the work for all of your courses, or if your personal circumstances change, you can consider dropping or postponing certain courses to ease your workload. Do this before census date to avoid unwanted costs. Discuss which courses to drop and which to continue with your Program Director to make the right choice.

Create a rewards system

As mentioned above, incentives help you study. Develop a rewards system that encourages you to meet short and long-term deadlines. A rewards system involves rewarding yourself whenever you meet a goal. At the short-term level this can mean taking a break after you complete a task. At the long-term level this can mean planning outings/celebrations to celebrate submitting big assignments.

Remember your reasons for study

If you find yourself losing interest or lacking motivation, remember why you decided to begin this degree in the first place. Use your long-term goals and ambitions, whether academic or career-related, to motivate your study.