If you have any questions about what you need for study, or want help to plan your study load to make sure it suits how much time you have, feel free to talk to one of our Student Advisors:
- customerservices@openpolytechnic.ac.nz
- 0508 650 200
It’s great you’re thinking about studying. Watch the video or read on for our checklist of things to think about before you enrol so you can get prepared for online distance learning.
1. How much time do you have?
For every course you do you need to allow around 10 hours study time each week for the duration of the course (usually around 16 to 20 weeks).
You can choose to do one course at a time or up to four (for most of our programmes). To help you think about how much time you have available and how many courses you might do at a time check our ‘How much time do you need?’ page:
Try our Time Calculator
The amount of time needed for study is different for everyone. Use our Time Calculator to help you think about how much time you have available.
Learn more
2. Do you have access to a computer and internet?
Most of our courses are delivered online in iQualify, our online learning platform. This means you will access the course content, which will include a mix of reading, video and interactive activities, online. For online learning you need:
- Regular access to a laptop or desktop computer
- Reliable broadband internet and a data plan so you can access the course, stream videos and download content.
If you are unsure if your computer or internet access will work for online learning, please contact us to check before applying to enrol.
Computer skills
Once you know how, our online courses are easy to navigate (and we can help you get started if you need it), but there are a few skills you will need to feel comfortable with, such as:
- Finding your way around new websites, and reading and completing activities online
- Asking questions and contributing to discussions in the course
- Downloading and opening PDF documents
- Knowing how to save and find electronic documents for future use
- Being able to write assessments using a word processing application such as Word
- Opening audio and video files, and sometimes you may need to record and upload files.
3. Do you have a place to study?
With distance learning you can study wherever it suits, but having a regular spot to study can help you get your head into study mode. Here's some tips to help you think about where you might do your study:
- Study where you feel comfortable – at a desk, the table, the library.
- Try to find somewhere quiet so you can concentrate.
- If you don’t have a dedicated study space you could store everything you need, such as your laptop, notebook and pens, in one place. That way it’s easy to set up and start studying.
4. Have you got a good support network?
Study takes work and commitment. Whether you’re studying full or part-time, it's likely you may also have work, whānau, church, community or sports commitments to juggle, so life will be busy.
Let your workplace, friends and whānau know that you're studying and that you may need support along the way. Maybe you could ask someone to look after your kids for a few hours while you study, you could talk to your manager about study leave, or someone could cook dinner to give you an hour free.
Every little bit of help you can get will help you to achieve your goals.
I tended to do my study in the weekends and my wife was great as she would take our two kids out so I could have time to study. My family was very supportive, that was the key.
Richard Miller, New Zealand Diploma in Construction (Level 6) (Quantity Surveying)
It's also good to share and celebrate your successes with your supporters. A module finished, an assessment submitted or a course successfully completed are all things to be proud of, and your support crew will be proud as well and pleased they played a part.
We’re here to help
