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Getting started with distance study
There are several things you should do before you get started with your distance studies.
Set up your study space
Creating a dedicated learning space, no matter where you are, is key to staying motivated and engaged with your courses. A well-set up area with good lighting, ergonomic seating and easy access to your devices will help you make the most of Stream, participate actively in online tutorials and tackle assignments efficiently.
How to Create the Perfect Study Environment for Online Learning
Create a good learning environment at home
- If you share the computer, work out a timetable and keep to it. Otherwise, arguments will happen! Share the times you'll participate in compulsory online sessions for your course.
- Create a studying space and not an entertainment space. Move the computer away from the lounge.
- Accommodate your body. There is no lecturer calling breaks. Get up, stretch and walk around now and then. Use a height and back adjustable chair that gives you proper support. A copyholder can help with reading at eye level while typing.
Create a good learning environment at work
- Because you're not off-site in a lecture room, you may be interrupted by your manager or colleagues during study time.
- Discuss your schedule with your co-workers. Be up-front about when you'll be unavailable, and keep to a routine.
Organise your study tools
- E-learning tools: a personal computer, preferably with an internet connection, if your course has an online component and a printer.
- Wall planner.
- Dictionary.
- If you prefer to work with paper: Post-its, highlighters, assignment preparation folders for each course, file dividers, A3 paper for planning.
Stream
Stream is an easy way to communicate with your course coordinator and other students. You can ask for contact from other students in your area and set up online study groups. Interacting with other students helps keep you focused, allows you to clarify your thinking and often brings support when the going gets tough.
Check if your course has an online component
If your course has an online component, the Stream course may include an administrative section, sometimes in the study guide or administration guide. The administrative section in Stream may contain some or all of the following information:
- Name and contact details of your lecturer.
- Assessment information. For example, assignment topics, instructions and marking guides.
- Contact workshop information.
- A course outline and timetable.
- Information on textbooks.
- A study guide – includes a complete set of notes for the course and details of the textbook chapter to read.
- Course readings. These are only supplied where the lecturer considers it necessary.
- Other resources. A lecturer may include past exam papers to show the type of questions asked in the exam or tests.
Find the assignment requirements
- Take notes on how you will be marked. Where are most of the marks allocated? The answers to these questions will tell you what to prioritise.
- Note down the assignment expectations for each grade.
- Ensure that you know which level of the AI use framework applies to your assignment. If you have used AI, then make sure it is carefully acknowledged in your AI use statement.
AI use framework (login required)
AI use statement (login required)
AI essentials Stream course (login required)
Identify the texts you will need
- You will need the compulsory texts. We also suggest having access to highly recommended books.
- If purchasing your textbooks, place your orders as soon as possible.
- You can also order textbooks and resources from the library.
Identify the important course contacts
- Course coordinator and other staff involved with the course
- Details of any academic support staff
Goal setting and time management
Because of the flexible nature of distance study, fitting study into an already busy life can be challenging. Use your time wisely.
Set goals to help manage your time. Goals give you direction and motivation. Long and short-term goals help keep you moving through your study.
How to study at a distance
Learn more effectively as a distance student by using these skills.
Use your time efficiently and practice taking effective notes
New students often think that if they're conscientious and put in long hours, the rewards will come automatically. However, if their work isn't efficient, it's often time wasted. For example, notes that engage the material and prepare it for storage in memory are more effective than noting down everything.
Make notes from online sources
It's important to take clear and concise notes from online sources and correctly reference the source of the notes.
- Use your word processing application, for example, Microsoft Word, to record your ideas.
- Copy and paste the material from the online source into Word and save it. Remember to note the source of the copied material.
- Print information and highlight key points; make summary notes or diagrams offline.
- Remember that you need to make notes, not just copy the information! Read over the information, pick out the key ideas and make your own notes under headings.
Use academic reading techniques to read online
You may be required to read a large amount of text-based material. Your study is often very dependent on reading and writing.
Skimming
Scroll down the page, looking at the headings. This will help you get the big picture.
Study reading
- Look for the sections used to divide information. Has the author used paragraphs, numbering, headings and each main idea on a new page?
- Look for the main ideas in each section. Then, read the information more slowly and look for further development and explanation of the main ideas. Look for examples given to illustrate the article's ideas.
- Give your eyes a rest every 15 minutes.
- Print off long documents instead of reading them online.
- Enlarge the font size on your browser for easier reading.
Take advantage of our support services and forums for distance students
While studying by distance means you have to practice more independent study skills, you don't have to study alone! We offer a number of ways for distance students to talk to lecturers and other students. Stream provides both staff and student support through forums such as Academic Q&A and other academic support services.
Open the Academic Q&A forum in Stream (login required)
Participating online
Most communication is in written or typed format. Face-to-face contact with the students or your lecturer may be rare or completely absent.
Why participate in online discussions
- The lecturer can check if you're accessing resources and joining in discussions.
- Build up a good attendance and participation record online. Show your lecturer that you're working to get good results.
- Do your homework by reading, thinking and preparing for the topic the lecturer set before you go online.
When you participate
- Communicating with your lecturer and other students is usually done through email or a discussion board. You may use the discussion board or groups in Stream for online courses.
- In online discussions, you can post a message at a time that is convenient for you. Take your time reading and thinking about other student messages before you add your own. However, you want to get in early before someone else suggests your idea!
- Other discussions take place in a chat room where a number of students must be online and ready to communicate at a time set by the lecturer. Your message will appear on the screen, and other students can respond. You can also respond to their messages.
Communicating online
- Give and take. If you are looking at others' ideas, be fair by sharing your own ideas.
- Don't dominate the forums.
- Remember that it is easy to misinterpret intentions online. Be respectful to others.
- Communicate with your lecturers. They cannot see if you're struggling in class. Don't feel shy about emailing or ringing. Remember that they want you to succeed.
Identify potential distractions and diversions
Being aware of what distracts you from study is half the battle. Make a written list to pin above your study space. Most of us welcome a diversion, but if you have already identified the danger, you are better prepared.
Avoid feeling overloaded and getting distracted
- Log on regularly: check for messages at a regular time each day.
- Note down the times you must be online for compulsory communications.
- Stay on task: searching websites that are not directly related to your study wastes your time and money.
- Allocate time: work out how much time you will need to spend on the course each week. Note the specific times for each online course in your diary now. You could use a timetable planner for this.
- Use a wall calendar: put it where you cannot ignore it, and add your assignment deadlines and online discussion dates.
- Learn to use technology. Technology breakdowns can create delays and frustration.
Reflect on your learning
Lastly, and most importantly, reflect on your learning. Identify problem areas – such as where you fell behind preparing for an assignment – and adapt your study style to address the problem.
Take on board any feedback you receive from your assignment marker or lecturer, family and friends or the assignment pre-reading service.
Distance support
There are many avenues of support for anyone studying at a distance.
Your course coordinator
Because they're in charge of the course, course coordinators can give you the most comprehensive and definitive answers to study questions.
Email and phone contact
The contact details for the course coordinator are usually included in the course materials or administration guide for that course. You can also find their details on the course page on Massey's website. Click the Show Course Details button to get the course delivery details, including the coordinator's name and email address.
If you have not been able to contact your coordinator, call the university and ask to speak to the Department Secretary, who will let you know the coordinator's availability. Course coordinators can also be contacted through Stream.
Stream contact
Stream is a quick and easy way to make contact with the course coordinator and other students. If you have a question, consider posting to the discussion forum first.
If you want to know something, it is likely that many others would like to know the answer to the same question. You ask the question, the lecturer answers it once and everyone in the course has access to the answer!
Some courses also allow you to send private messages to the course coordinator.
Massey @ Distance on Facebook
Join the Facebook group for the university's society for distance students, Massey@Distance.
Support for international students
Contact Student Registry for help with insurance, renewing your visa and more. Contact Student Care for wellbeing help.
Academic Q&A
Open the Academic Q&A forum in Stream (login required)
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