…. Maintaining that initial excitement and commitment to gaining their qualification is not a given!
Like everything worthwhile it takes discipline, planning and persistence to achieve objectives. Study is absolutely no different. As a veteran trainer & assessor in vocational education, I find the single biggest issue facing students is in building and maintaining their momentum.
We all face the realities of work, personal and family commitments, but is in how we address these that separates the achievers from the rest. I am going to share some of my experience from the many students I have worked with over the last decade. It is my hope that some of what I am going to share will resound with you and help your students achieve their qualification!
Take Responsibility
Getting them through their studies is not entirely the responsibility of their educator. They are there to share their knowledge and provide clarity around new concepts. Students must take ownership of their educational outcomes and the benefits that they will derive from them later… after all it is their qualification and it is them who will be the beneficiary of the knowledge and qualification that you will teach.
No Pain = No Gain
Let’s face it… if it is easy, then how much actual value will the qualification carry, and what benefit will obtaining their qualification really have? It is my experience that things that challenge us not only give us an enormous amount of satisfaction, but move us forwards as human beings, and set us apart for the rest.
Study requires discipline
We all tend to take on way too much. We try and apply Time Management strategies to keep on top of everything… I taught and spoke often on Time Management, and can share with you that the big mistake most people make is having an expectation that Time Management Skills are all about making time to do more and fit everything in our given available hours.
… WRONG!
Good Time Management starts with identifying what is important, and then getting the ‘right’ things done at the ‘right time’. By that I mean creating a framework that provides focus. Break down the year into maybe 3-5 things to focus on … these are not measurable goals, but rather the areas where you will work; anything that does not fit under these areas should be ignored or maybe set aside where there is spare time. This will take some discipline for sure, as there will be many ‘seemingly valid’ interruptions where people will steal your time and head space for their purpose and gain. Here is an example of areas of focus to get you thinking about a likely framework:
- Be excellent at what I do
- Future proof my career
- Gain a relevant qualification
- Be part on the next revolution (no not overthrow a government!)
Everyone’s list is different, but it must resonate with them and what they want their life to look like.
Build momentum
If studying and gaining that qualification fits into their framework (eg future proof my career), then they need to apply some discipline and give themselves the required time to get that study done! If they have determined that they need 8 hours each week to achieve their qualification, then they need to start setting time aside each week… consider 2 hours initially then build to their 8 hours… build momentum. Once they start seeing their progress, then it will be much easier to maintain that momentum. They must take responsibility and apply some discipline to their week.
REMEMBER: THEY are the beneficiary of their study… so don’t make their future the responsibility of someone else.