The restrictions imposed during lockdown can make you feel as though time is passing and you’re standing still. Focusing on acquiring a new skill while in quarantine is one way to deal with your frustration and the anxiety that comes with feeling out of control.
Personal growth is central to many theories relating to long-term happiness. An hour listening to an educational podcast may not sound as appealing as watching a TV series, but it can lead to greater life satisfaction.
With a massive upsurge in enrolments in online courses over the past month, it’s obvious that many people want to feel as though they’re moving forward with their lives and careers, rather than giving in to futility.
What do online courses involve?
The content of courses and their prices vary considerably from platform to platform. Choosing university-affiliated courses means you know you’re being taught by experts in your field.
The courses vary in length too. Some may consist of a few hours of training, whereas others may require a weekly commitment over several months. Content of courses typically involves reading texts, listening to video lectures and taking regular tests to check understanding.
TSCER (Texas School of Continuing Education and Recruitment) offers many online courses, including bookkeeping certification. After going through this training, you will be equipped for any job requiring bookkeeping or QuickBooks knowledge.
What should I look for in a course?
A course does not necessarily have to be offered by a university to be rigorous or recognized. You can actively look on a website for accreditation. If a course is accredited by an educational body, the website will state this.
If you’re doing a course to progress professionally, finding out if employers recognize a certificate or qualification is important. Many platforms offer user reviews and you can read these to find out more about how other students felt about the course.
It’s also important to choose a course that will challenge you enough to engage your mind but that’s not so difficult that you’ll want to throw in the towel. A deep concentration in the course content will provide a great deal more satisfying than scrolling through social media.
How can I keep myself motivated?
After the motivation that comes from your initial enthusiasm, you may have to exercise some discipline to keep going. The lack of a routine is probably one of the biggest hurdles. If you set up a schedule and treat the class as though it’s a physical one, you’re more likely to complete a course.
Doing all the class exercises and homework is also important. Connecting with other people doing the course in discussion groups can also help to motivate you. This will give you more of a feeling of accountability and you will have access to people who can possibly help you to understand the more difficult material.
What’s my next step after completing the course?
If you find that completing the course has given you a thirst for further study, you can do an accredited bachelor’s degree and even a master’s degree online. Of course, this could be expensive.
Some people are quite happy to have completed just a single course. The wide variety of courses available means that there is something for everyone whether you’re after some serious study or just want to learn something new.
Courses on topics such as personal development, arts and crafts, bookkeeping or online marketing can keep you well occupied during the lockdown and may even open up a new career for you post lockdown.