Studying online has its own challenges. Learning how to take part in online learning will help you get the most out of your digital university experience. Like on-campus study, you will still have lectures and classes to attend, as well as assignments and other tasks to complete.
However, these classes and requirements may look different for online students. It is important to understand this as you plan your study. Communicating with your tutor, lecturer, and other students may also be different online. You may need to put in extra effort to stay active and take part fully in your units.
In brief, studying online means you need to think about:
To study online you will need:
Note: To study online, you may need to download specific software to complete your course. Some of this software may not be compatible with smartphones or tablets, so you may need to use a computer.
Lecture times for each unit will be shared through Blackboard, usually in the unit announcements. Each unit may organise lectures differently, and lectures may be held at different times and with different frequency. Teaching staff often schedule lectures after work hours so more students can attend.
Teaching staff will use either iLecture (Echo360) or Collborate (also called Collaborate Ultra) on Blackboard to deliver lectures. All lecture sessions are recorded. However, it is recommended that you attend live when possible, as this allows you to ask questions and receive answers straight away. Your unit outline should list the live lecture dates and times. If you cannot find this information, you should ask your unit coordinator.
Some tips to help you get the most out of your online lectures:
Discussion boards in Blackboard are commonly used in online units. Teaching staff often use them to share information, answer questions, and provide extra resources. You may also be asked to introduce yourself in a discussion board post. This is a good way to share what you are studying, what other units you are taking, and where you are based. You may find other students with similar study plans or in the same area and connect with a study partner.
Like on-campus study, you need to manage your time well to succeed online. Online learning can be flexible, but you still need to make sure you have enough time for study. The number of hours needed will depend on your course, your units, and your study and assignment skills.
As a general guide, you should plan to spend about 10 hours per unit each week. This includes attending lectures and completing readings.
This number may increase during busy periods, such as before assessments, exams, or placements, and may decrease at other times. As you continue your studies, your understanding of assessments, readings, resources, and processes will improve. As a result, you may find that you need less study time.
For more information, complete the time management module.
It is important for all students to look after their mental and physical wellbeing. This can be especially important for students studying online. You may sometimes find it hard to stay motivated or feel disconnected from others. However, there are steps you can take to stay on track and feel more connected during your studies.
You need to have a study space that supports your learning and helps reduce distractions. Think about where you are able to study and focus best. If you do not have a home office, this space could be in your dining room, a corner of your bedroom, a library, or a quiet café.
If your study space is at home, talk to your family or housemates about your study times so you are not disturbed unless it is necessary. If noise distracts you, you can use headphones to block sound, or play background music or white noise.
Make sure your chair is comfortable for long periods, the lighting is suitable, and you have access to power for your computer. To help you get into the right mindset for study, try to only do study-related work in your study space.
If you are a Curtin online regional student, you should check if there is a Regional University Study Hub near you and make use of their resources and study spaces.
The boundaries between your personal life, work, and study can easily become unclear. However, people are not able to focus for long periods without rest. It is important to take regular breaks and maintain a healthy balance by following your weekly study schedule.
If you have a busy study day, make sure you include time to stretch your body, rest your eyes, and drink water.
Take time during your first week to explore:
You will spend a lot of time using these platforms during your studies. Knowing where to find information will help you feel more confident and reduce stress when looking for resources.
Live lectures and tutorials are scheduled by teaching staff at different times during your units, often outside normal work hours. Although these sessions are recorded, you will benefit more if you attend live. This allows you to ask questions and receive answers immediately from your teaching staff. If you attend a live lecture, make sure you are prepared by completing any essential readings and having your preferred note-taking method ready.
Contributing to the discussion board in your unit will help you connect with other students, ask and answer questions, share resources, and organise study groups. If you have a question for your teacher, it is likely that other students also have the same question and will benefit from the answer. You should feel confident posting on the discussion board.
It is a requirement of your studies at Curtin that you log in to OASIS at least once every seven days and check your Official Communications Channel for important updates. Checking your emails regularly will help you stay aware of messages from teaching staff, the university, and other students, especially if you are working on group assignments. Managing your emails is an important skill that will support your success at university and in your future career.
When you are studying through OUA, you need to enrol in your units directly through OUA. You can plan your units by logging into your account, searching for your degree, and downloading the degree guide or enrolment guide. Course Coordinators can provide specific information about your units, but they cannot help you with the enrolment process.
You can also access student counselling services through OUA. In addition, you can book a consultation with an OUA Student Advisor for support with enrolling and planning your studies.
Curtin offers a range of support resources for OUA students. However, it can sometimes be unclear whether you should contact Curtin or OUA for help
You should contact OUA if you need help with:
You should reach out to Curtin for assistance with:
If you’re unsure, you should contact Curtin Connect or the Student Success Advisors with any questions.
Curtin has also created a helpful OUA student guide to answer your OUA-related questions. This guide includes a checklist for new students to follow, which will help you to get the best possible start to your studies.
For more information, watch the video below.
Regional University Study Hubs (RUSHs) are available in many country towns across Australia. There are also Suburban University Study Hubs (SUSHs) in suburban areas that may not be close to a university. These spaces are free to use and are open to students from any Australian university. They provide access to:
RUSHs also often organise information sessions and social events. These events help students build connections with others and feel less isolated while studying in regional areas.
View the map of study hubs to find your nearest hub.