One of the biggest challenges to completing any program, whether online or at a traditional school campus, is making sure you get the most out of your studies. This can be especially difficult for students who want to learn a “hands on” trade but can’t take the time off work necessary to go to a campus. For those considering a career in auto mechanics, or even learning the trade for personal use, it can be intimidating to start a self-paced, online course. But knowing how to take advantage of your program and how to study online can make all the difference! Check out some of these tips to get the most out of your program.

Stick to a schedule.
This applies to any online program. When you don’t have due dates and a set schedule to attend class, it can be tempting to skip studying or put off completing an exam. When you come home from work, exhausted after a long day, it’s understandable that the last thing you’d want to do is stare at your computer or take a test. But creating a schedule and setting a goal can help you push past that. You don’t even have to study every day! Just meet your weekly goal. For example, say you work 40 hours per week and you have a family you need to take care of. You may not have a lot of extra time to study, so a reasonable goal could be passing at least one exam per week. Setting a reasonable, doable goal can help you stick to your plan. If you need to take and pass one exam per week, you can study for an hour each night. That still gives you time for work, family, and fun!

Do your practical exercises.
With a course like Automotive Mechanics, you’ll study diagrams and manuals; you’ll learn the theory of assembling and repairing engines, among other skills. But what about practical application? This can be especially important if you have little previous experience working with cars. Taking advantage of any practical exercises included in your coursework, whether graded or not, will help you connect the theories you’ve read with the actual parts you’ll be working on. Most trade programs will have short, simple exercises to apply what you learned. Don’t miss out on a learning opportunity just because it may not be graded. It can help your career in the long run.

Ask for help.
Again, true for any program you take at any school. When you’re stuck, and can’t seem to see how the material or instructor moved from point A to point D, struggling through on your own won’t always be successful. Even if you pass the exam, you maybe be missing a piece of important information. Call or email your instructors and even ask friends who may work in the same field what their thoughts are. Talking it out with someone can help you see where you went wrong and get you back on track.

In the end, we all have a different learning style, so it’s a good idea to pay attention to your orientation courses. Many include a portion on learning what type of learner you are in order to pinpoint the best study strategy for you. If you’re determined and passionate about what you want to do, adopting these tips will only help you succeed.