When choosing a course to study, it’s important that you choose something that you enjoy. If you don’t enjoy the course you are studying, you will find it harder to motivate yourself to learn. Some courses can be challenging, but ultimately it should be a challenge that you want to take on – not just a means to an end. Below are a few tips on how you can choose a course that you truly enjoy so that you’re more motivated to learn.
Identify your skills
We all have things that we are good at. In most cases, we enjoy the things that we are good at – they are generally not too challenging and we are able to therefore put more energy into them. Skills could include hard skills like speaking a foreign language, being able to write well, having good maths skills or being good at football. However, they could also include soft skills like being a good problem solver, being good at public speaking, being able to console people or being able to exercise patience. By identifying your skills, you can identify subjects and courses where these skills are needed.
Chase your passions
You should also consider your passions. These are the things that interest you – which could include anything from music to animals. Think about whether there are any courses that can allow you to follow your passions while also using your skills. For example, if you love sports and you’re patient and a good problem solver, consider whether a course in sports therapy could be a worthwhile
Follow your beliefs
Another way to find a course you enjoy is to find a subject that aligns with your beliefs. If you care passionately about the environment, a course such as environmental science could be a good choice. There are even courses that can teach you how to become a christian along with opportunities to pursue christian leadership positions. Avoid courses that do not align with your beliefs.
Compare itineraries
Once you’ve chosen a subject that is right for you, consider the itinerary. Different universities may have completely different itineraries. You may find that some itineraries involve more written work, while others may involve more public speaking. Some may have individual modules that relate to passions and some may be taught by professors who are experts in certain niches. Take the time to compare courses to find the right one for you.
Match your lifestyle
The course you choose needs to be right for your lifestyle. Many mature students with a job or kids find that a conventional on-campus course isn’t practical – an online course may be easier to fit around your lifestyle. If you would prefer to study on campus, consider the location of the university. Somewhere more rural may be better suited to those that love outdoor activities, whereas somewhere more urban may be better for those that love the buzz of a city.
Read course reviews
Course reviews will give you a good example of the general standard of the course. It’s important that the course is well organised and well taught so that you feel it is rewarding – by reading reviews left by former students, you can get a good idea of the quality of the course.
