8 real-life, practical tips for making online study work

From finding time to finding your tribe, eight online students at CDU share their insider tips on how to make online degree work for your life and goals. 

Set your own pace

Matt studied an online teaching degree while working as a teacher's aide and at a saddlery. He reckons the way online study works at CDU helped him fit study into his busy life.

"My course materials were 100% online, and I could jump on to study on my phone or laptop.Because my lecturers uploaded all modules at the start of each semester, I could move through them at my own pace, doing several at once or catching up when I had the time."

"If I had a bad day I could just think, 'you know what? I'm not going to do any work tonight. I'll do double tomorrow'. It's worked really well with my lifestyle."

> Read Matt's story

Aim for progress, not perfection

Genevieve studied an online social work degree while juggling a small business and two young children. The secret? Keep perspective.

“At the beginning of my degree I pushed myself very hard, I’d stay up every night studying, I was exhausted and started to burn out. Now I have made the conscious effort to engage in self-care, whether that’s simply exercising a few times a week, eating well or reading a book. Taking some time out for myself during the semester has been essential for me.

"Something I now embrace is to aim for ‘progress not perfection’.”

> Read Genevieve’s story

Lean on the lecturers and support services

Margaret did an online law degree with two toddlers (impressive, right?) and she’s the first to admit she was worried about finding a balance.

I was sceptical at first about studying online, but from that very first lecture I logged into, all my fears were allayed.

"I formed excellent relationships with most of my lecturers and always found them accessible by email or phone. And the standard of the lecturers has been incredible. Staff at the library were also always available to help, even at the last minute. The ability to borrow books whilst living interstate was also an excellent resource,” Margaret said.

> Read Margaret’s story

Take advantage of 24/7 access

Sharni juggles her online nursing degree with being a single mum to a very active toddler. Having self-paced study that fits around a chaotic schedule with a small child is a must. 

"I pretty much go as fast or slow as I want, or as Loki allows!" she says. Like many mums, Sharni thinks it's often easier to study or listen to lectures at night when the house is quiet.

“Constant access to resources and recorded lectures means I can easily revise or check things later. That’s particularly useful for those times when Loki’s distracting me while I’m trying to study.”

> Read Sharni’s story

Study space set up: you do you

For pro-cyclist and online exercise and sports science student, Jacob, anywhere and everywhere is a study space.

“I have to make time whenever I can to be able to study, whether that’s at the cycling track in between sessions, or at home while everyone is asleep.

"It makes things so much easier to have access to all your units whenever and no pressure to attend classes at exact times.”

> Read Jacob’s story

Believe you can do it

Mel had her heart set on changing careers and studied an IT degree online to make it happen. The secret, she says, is finding your confidence.

“You may feel intimidated. You may feel as though you don't possess enough hands-on skills and experience to be successful or even just to be hired when you graduate. I struggled with these feelings for a long time. Then I realised that employers are actually looking for motivated individuals, with a willingness to learn.”

> Read Mel’s story

Adjust as you go

Sallie did an online teaching degree to change careers, and adjusted her study tactics as her degree progressed.

“In the beginning I took on a full-time study load, which meant studying all night, every night, just to keep up. I ended up run down and not seeing enough of my family. 

I decided to cut back to part-time study, which has been a lot more manageable. 

“I try to do all my study on weeknights, so I can spend weekends with the family. It doesn't always happen that way, but I'm lucky to have a very supportive husband and family who make life a little easier.”

> Read Sallie’s story

Get help

Working dad and IT specialist BP studied creative arts online and credits his support network for his study success.

“My wife took over many of my household chores to allow me time to study. My workplace was also flexible which allowed me to attend lectures as they were happening. The amazing people I worked with helped me to balance the demands of study, work and family” he says.

> Read BP’s story

CDU has been delivering online and distance education for more than 30 years. Explore our online study experience and more than 100 online degrees.