7 Tips to Make the Most of your Chrysalis Online Course
1. Assess your Objectives, Outcomes and Goals: Consider whether you are doing this as an entry level to further training; for personal development; to increase your skills or knowledge base generally; to support your current work role; or for continuing professional development. Having a clearly defined objective, will enable you to establish your study routines and methods, and retain focus on your individual goal.
2. Work SMART: Ensure that your timetable, goals and processes are Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Realistic and Time-Boundaried. Assess priorities and balances with other commitments; be realistic with your timetable; break down the process into detailed, achievable steps; and set review points to make any adjustments to your overall plans.
3. Start your own Research and Journalling Programme: The Module material in Chrysalis Online Courses is designed to provide information required for the exercises. You can choose further reading and research on topics of specific personal interest. Some courses require you to use a journal as you work through material, but journaling is good practice in this area providing a record to review your own progress, identify patterns and ideas, and consolidate your learning in your own way.
4. Use your Tutor: You have access to your tutor for questions, queries etc throughout your course. Tutors are there precisely to support your own individual learning and progress through the course, so you are not working in isolation. Take the opportunity to make best use of this individual support.
5. Use the Coffee Shop: There are literally thousands of students across the world working on Chrysalis Courses. You may not be able to nudge the person next to you in group, but you can post a message in the Coffee Shop with general comments, questions, encouragement, feedback, observations etc. If every student actively engaged on Module work and submitting coursework posted a message in the Coffee Shop, the place would be absolutely buzzing! Visit the Coffee Shop area each time you engage with your coursework.
6. Create a Folder of your Work: Keep hard copies or an e-folder of your submitted work, your journal and the feedback from your tutor. This makes it easier to review and identify any areas for further development for yourself, and you also build up a personal learning portfolio for self- reference.
7. Review and Action the Feedback: Use the feedback you receive from your tutor specifically as a means of expanding your experience of the coursework, exercises and material. Use your own journaling and the Module exercises to record and review your progress and development.
Finally – enjoy both the process and the outcome! And celebrate your achievements!
