How to Survive Studying by Distance
Studying off campus can be a very appealing option: there are no classes to attend and you can study when it suits you. Sounds pretty cruisy, doesn’t it? The reality is very different. When studying by distance those bad student habits often come back to bite you- far more than they ever would when studying on campus and just doing the bare minimum to prepare for classes. Whether you’re studying in off campus mode by necessity or choice, there’s plenty you can do to ensure an easier semester.
Time
When there are no classes to attend, it can feel like your uni commitments are non-existent. Sadly it doesn’t mean you can take on extra hours at work or spend all your time in front of daytime TV. It is important to set aside time each week to do your readings, listen to lectures and do any required work. I found that I had to set aside a regular time slot. Committing to a particular time each week helped me to stay on task and up-to-date, much like attending lectures and tutorials on campus does.
You’ll probably find that doing all your class preparation and learning in one hit each week is going to get old very quickly. The best tip is to break it up: do your readings earlier in the week and then listen to any lecture tapes later in the week. Trying to cram all your study into a few hours each week will almost guarantee that you burn out quickly. Ignoring your work all semester and then trying to do the entire course in four days is even worse.
If you’re submitting assignments by mail, be sure to allow extra time in case Australia Post gets it wrong. I’d send my assignments by registered mail or express post for extra piece of mind.
Motivation
I found motivation was my biggest problem when studying off campus: I just didn’t have it and it was a long semester. For some people, the drive to study comes from within. For me, my motivation to learn comes from external factors: an inspirational lecturer, a fascinating class discussion, etc. If you’re the latter and you have a choice, off-campus may not be the thing for you.
If you’re a distance student and worried about motivation, there are a few things you can do. If your distance subjects are electives, try to choose subjects that have frequent and regular deadlines, such as weekly reflections or discussion board posts. There’s nothing quite like a due date to keep you on task.
For many people, exercise is easier when done as a team sport. The same goes for study. The best thing you can do is speak to other students on the online subject forum and find a study budy or form a “virtual” study group. If your group agrees to “meet” regularly to discuss the readings and lectures, then you’re more likely to keep on top of your study. And your group doesn’t have to meet in person. You can correspond by email, talk over the phone, Facebook chat or Skype.
Study goups are great for off-campus learning beause they help you to stay on task, to know if you’re on the right track and can help prevent you from feeling isolated (a common experience amongst distance students). I highly recommend.
Resources
A good Internet connection is an absolute must. Many, if not all, subject resources for off-campus students are available online: readings, lecture tapes, lecture notes, past exam papers, etc. There’s also discussion boards to post questions and “participate” in class discussion, and it’s common for assignments to also be submitted online.
Resources for researching assignments can be a challenge when you’re studying by distance. Your university library will have plenty of journal articles available online and legislation and case law is also accessible over the Internet. Despite all these resources, sometimes you’re going to need to make a pilgrimage to your nearest law library. Most off-campus subjects will have a few intensive class days during semester. Plan ahead- know what research you need to do at the library and can kill two birds with the one stone while you’re on campus.
Knowing you’re on the right track
Without regular face-to-face classes it can be hard to know if you’ve properly grasped the subject material. This is where a study group can come in handy. If your fellow geeks can’t help you out, consult some different text books on the subject to see if a different wording can assist.
Failing that, use the online discussion board. People are always afraid of asking dumb questions- and they can often seem more ridiculous when you’ve typed them out. If you chicken out and don’t ask your questions, chances are you’ll end up lacking confidence in that subject for the rest of the semester. If you’re still feeling mystified, contact your tutor directly for assistance.
Tips for doing practical legal training by distance
1. Regular reading of discussion boards is a must. Chances are someone else has probably already asked your “dumb” question. I know I’ve already said it, but it’s particularly true for PLT. Teachers know that many students don’t have law firm experience so they try to explain questions as simply as possible.
2. Practical legal training subjects are very different to core legal subjects. You can do all your readings, but in the end the best way (and I’d say the only real way) to learn is by doing. If you already work in a law firm you’re at an advantage. Either way, your best bet is to attend all on campus workshops available for distance students.
3. The challenge with distance study for PLT is that you often learn something, practice it once and are then assessed on it- all in the same day. If you can, sneak into a couple of on campus classes, practice those skills and get some feedback well ahead of the assessment.
4. If you have a study group, practice your negotiation or bail applications and give each other feedback. It’s only through good preparation and practice that you feel confident.
5. College of Law Practice Papers- I can’t recommend them enough. They spell things out in incredible detail and tend not to assume any prior knowledge. If you’re learning advocacy, the papers have sample scripts of court mentions, etc. For other subjects, there are precedents of court pleadings, accounts, file notes and more. Amazing. You should be able to access them through your university library website.
6. If you’re doing a practice file, check out our handy guide for plenty of tips on how to get through the most tedious thing you will ever do at law school.