Taking a massage home-study course to learn new techniques can provide many benefits, including:
- You get to learn interesting concepts inside the comforts of home.
- It can help expand the scope of your practice.
- You’re in your own element.
- You can do it all on your own time, as it is convenient for you.
But be careful. There can be some drawbacks to taking home-study courses if you’re not prepared, including distractions in your home-learning environment.
Home-study courses take great amounts of self-discipline. In this home classroom, no one is looking over your shoulder to make sure you complete your work. It’s up to you on what you make of the class.
Before clicking that “buy now” website button to purchase the newfound coursework, make sure to check with your national and state licensing bodies to make sure the courses you select are acceptable for continuing education credits. Once that is out of the way, make a list of goals and make sure you don’t deviate from them.
Here are a few that might help along the way:
1. Set a schedule: Determine how much time is needed to complete the coursework you have selected. Divide that time into increments that are manageable for your already busy schedule. During this time, also let those who may live with you know that you are not to be disturbed. Distractions lead to procrastination, and that doesn’t help move you toward your goal.
2. Study on your clock: Only you know when you function and learn the best. Are you a night owl? Or, do you like to be an early riser? Home-study students should try to study when they are most alert. It’s during these times where you will be able to process and retain information most effectively.
3. Creating a study zone: Find a quiet place in your home to create your home study work station. It should be a place away from distractions that allows you to focus on nothing but your massage home-study classes. Within this zone, you should be able to keep your notebooks and other study materials. And when you’re in this zone, you should always be in a study mode
4. Eat healthy: Studying on an empty stomach will get you no where fast. By eating a healthy diet, you prepare your mind and body for the rigors of home study. Have a light, healthy snack to quiet the grumbles and to achieve optimal brain function during study time. Studies have shown that students who have a proper diet retain information better during studying sessions.
5. Reward yourself: So what’s the fun in setting all of these goals without a pot of gold at the end of the rainbow? When you complete simple goals throughout your course, give yourself a treat and a hearty pat on the back. There’s no need to get extravagant, but a little something to reward yourself for doing a good job makes the process better for you and your learning.