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Study Suggestions
The study setting, tools and techniques you use will make a difference in your success as you learn through distance education. The following suggestions will help you organize your work, absorb the information more efficiently and discipline yourself:
- Always start a new course by reading its Getting Started/Welcome Letter. This letter provides specific instructions on how to proceed with the course material.
- Review the entire contents of any course package received by mail. If taking this course online, familiarize yourself with the main menu, course navigation and course overview features. Having done this, you will be able to locate content quickly, move easily from one lesson to the next and identify what is needed to complete the course successfully.
- Set up a regular place to study with the materials and equipment you need. If you have low vision, ensure you have lighting that best meets your needs.
- Follow a schedule. Choose the time of day when you are most alert, and study every day at this same time. At the end of every study session, step back and review what you have accomplished. Take pride in your work.
- Keep a dictionary handy. Dictionaries are now available in many accessible formats.
- Take brief notes as you read and review them frequently. They will prove helpful when preparing your assignment. If needed, ask questions. Your Hadley instructor is there for you.
- Give yourself breaks. This increases your ability to concentrate. Don't study past the point of fatigue.
- Complete your assignment or exam at the same time of day that you usually study. Also, do so when you are well rested and relaxed.
- Keep up your motivation to succeed. Remind yourself of the reasons you are taking the course. Consider talking with your instructor if you need encouragement.
- If you are interested in taking Hadley courses using the DTB format, you will need a digital talking book player or a computer software program capable of playing a digital audio book. Hadley DTB courses are tested on the HumanWare VictorReader Stream and are compatible with the NLS Talking Book Player and APH BookPort Plus. To ensure that your player will play Hadley DTB real voice recordings, visit www.hadley.edu/dtb and download the Digital Talking Book Sample Recording. If your computer/playback device can play this sample recording, you may enroll in a DTB course. For additional DTB resources and information about computer software programs and hardware players, visit www.daisy.org.
