Is distance learning for me?
- Distance Learning Readiness Quiz
- Finding time for study
- Study previews (sample study materials)
- Literacy skills
- Numeracy skills
- Preparing for postgraduate study
Distance learning can make university study possible for students who do not have the time or ability to get to a local campus. Increasingly, studying by distance is becoming the “new normal” as more learners study part-time whilst they continue to work, meet family responsibilities and pursue other interests.
But distance and online courses are not for everyone. It is important to understand fully what distance learning is like, and how it fits with your own learning preferences.
Before you decide to enrol, take the time to work through the following resources. They are aimed at helping you understand your own learning preferences, the requirements of distance learning and how this form of study can be incorporated into your existing commitments.
Distance Learning Readiness Quiz
Start Distance Learning Readiness Quiz
Back to topFinding time for study
- You should be realistic about the number of papers you can take in a semester and consider all your existing commitments. You will need to spend approximately 10 to 12 hours each week for a 15 credit single semester paper, or about 5 to 6 hours per week for a 15 credit double semester paper.
- If you are new to university study or returning after a long gap, try one or two papers to start with. Once you are confident and have good study routines in place, you might find you can take on a heavier workload.
- If you are working full time (or have a young family that you look after full time), we recommend that you take no more than 30 credits (two papers) in a semester.
To help you identify how you could fit study into your regular routine, we have provided the following tools:
Workload Calculator (243 KB)
- displays a list of every day activities and asks you to estimate how much time you spend on each activity each week. You can also include how many papers you want to take and you will receive some helpful feedback on your results. File format is Excel 2003.
Weekly Planner (380 KB)
- a daily appointment view that allows you to fill in your activities based on your current schedule. An example is provided to show you how you might consider moving some activities around to fit the recommended study time in. File format is Word 2003.
Sample study material
The following study previews have been designed to provide you with a window into what you may be expected to read and the type of work you will be expected to complete.
Take the opportunity to view this material and consider how this fits with your expectations of what university study would involve. Pay particular attention to the readings and assignments and think about your abilities to complete the work required.
Please contact us if you need more specific information or would like to discuss your options.
General introduction to study preview
Start Studying at a distance with Massey University presentation
Postgraduate study preview
The following preview is a guide to an example of a postgraduate course delivered by the College of Education. It provides an overview of the kind of materials provided, the skills needed, and the time commitment required to study this kind of course. Take the opportunity to view this material and consider how this fits with your expectations of what postgraduate study would involve. Even if you are not studying with the College of Education this will provide you with a guide to postgraduate study at Massey.
Start Postgraduate study preview
Literacy skills
Writing in an academic context is different from writing in other situations. Academic writing follows specific conventions of structure, style, and content, and your marker will expect to see these conventions in your assignments. We encourage you to review the Academic writing section of the Online Writing and Learning Link (OWLL) web pages to familiarise yourself with the requirements and to get a feel for what is involved. The Academic writing e-book also has useful information on how academic writing is different to other types of writing that you may be familiar with. If you are new to academic writing you may want to consider only enrolling in one or two papers until you build up your skills.
Online quizzes
To assist you to identify your strengths and weaknesses we have developed two exercises that you can complete. During the quizzes you will be given feedback and directed to support pathways.
Numeracy skills
Business papers such as economics, accounting, statistics have a significant mathematical component. The skills and requirements increase dramatically if you have chosen to study the sciences or mathematics.
It is very important that your skills are up to date before you start the papers so that you can concentrate on the content, rather than trying to catch up on learning maths.
Online quizzes
A series of online quizzes are available to test your ability in maths and provide links to resources in the areas where you need assistance.
General maths skills quizzes
To test your general maths skills there are quizzes available on the Are you ready for study web pages.
Enrolled in a first year maths paper?
If you are enrolled in either 160.101 Calculus 1, 160.102 Linear Mathematics, 160.103 Methods of Mathematics, or 160.131 Mathematics for Business there some preparatory quizzes available on the Maths First web pages to help you see whether you have the base knowledge required for these papers.
Additional maths resources
The Maths First web pages have been designed to promote individual learning in mathematics and are committed to helping you achieve success in your studies.
The pages have been designed to help you to identify any areas of mathematics in which you might need to improve. It also contains a wide range of study resources and exercises to help you gain those skills.
Preparing for postgraduate study
We have provided two tools to help you prepare for postgraduate study.
The Postgraduate Study Readiness Quiz will help you to think about the different aspects of postgraduate study and how it differs from undergraduate study. It will also help you to consider how they match with your own expectations. The quiz includes helpful advice and links to further information and resources.
The Postgraduate Research Skills Quiz will help you think about the research skills required for postgraduate study. The quiz includes helpful advice and links to further information and resources.
There is also a Postgraduate study preview included in the Sample study material section above.
Additional information is also included on the Postgraduate study web pages.
