Challenges of learning as an off campus student

One of the main challenges an off campus learner faces is the need to learn some time management skills. Just because you aren't attending face to face lectures and tutorials doesn't mean you don't need to dedicate the same amount of time to your studies! You can expect to spend around 6 hours per subject on your courses if you want to do well. You can find a guide on time management in the website for the Learning Centre at UNSW. The Learning Centre provides a number of online guides on writing well, examination skills and time management:

• Time Management
• Writing
• Examination Skills
• Preparing to write a thesis

There are a number of things that you should do when have been accepted to study as an off campus student - we call them the Top 5 if you follow the top 5 you should find your studies easier in terms of ability to access the Academy Library, your online course site and receive your printed, CD or DVD course learning materials.

Make sure that your computer equipment is as good or better than the specifications in the UNSW @ ADFA Handbook (2006). Make sure that you aren't relying on your work computer - we know from experience that Defence and other corporate organisations have firewalls that can make access to the UNSW @ ADFA systems difficult!

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