1 How will I find time to study?
Finding time to study can be challenging while managing work, family life and other commitments. An apprenticeship is a job with a formal programme of training which meets the requirements of the Apprenticeship Standard (in England) or Apprenticeship Framework (in Wales). The time distributed to this training can vary between programmes. The planned training hours will be detailed in your Training Plan once you start the programme.
In England and Wales, this time is called ‘off-the-job training.’ This is time for you to engage in the learning with the OU during your contracted working hours. There may be a requirement for you to study outside of your contracted working hours, especially when assignments are due. This may also include attending online tutorials in the evening.
Time management is a key skill to develop. You will agree how your time will be structured with your employer. This will include time provided within your work, which can be a set time each week, a set day or be more flexible. You may need to plan more when assignments are due. You may also need to consider how to structure your study time as you can be studying a theory and a work based learning module side by side.
Looking ahead and planning your time is the first step to effective time management.
The study planner on your student home page directs you to the learning materials for each week or group of weeks and tells you what you should be doing and when. You will gain access to your student home page once you are enrolled on the programme.
Activity 1
As a first activity this will help you to get a sense of off-the-job training. Follow this link [Tip: hold Ctrl and click a link to open it in a new tab. (Hide tip)] and scroll down to the section titled off-the-job training time explained.
- Read the section that explains off-the-job training time
- Click on the flowchart and read the 3 Key Facts
What is the average number of off-the-job-training hours per week for a full-time apprentice over the duration of the apprenticeship?
The time planner will help you to think about all the things you spend time doing across a week. Try to include everything you do to help you map out the time that you might have available for study. Inevitably, some of you will be incredibly busy and juggling lots of things, while some of you might realise that you already have time available for study.
Answer
For a full-time apprentice, the average of 6 hours is the number of off-the-job training hours per week.
Now that you have a better understanding of off-the-job training time and your available time for study, it is worth considering how to make your learning time as effective as possible.
One of the things that apprentices tell us is that they worry about being distracted in the precious time they have available for study.
Here are tips that apprentices have shared with us about staying on track when studying:
- Plan your study time so that you have a realistic goal in mind and reward yourself on achieving it. (For example, read this section for 40 minutes before making a cup of coffee.)
- Try to balance your free time and your study time – this will help you to maximise the learning opportunities available to you
- It is good to take study breaks
- Record your off-the-job training, this can be a task for the end of your day
- Take into consideration any other commitments that may impact your study time such as if you care for someone
- Depending on which apprenticeship you are studying you need to consider the entry requirements. If you need to study Functional Skills as part of the apprenticeship you will need to speak to your employer about planning additional study time
- Studying at a distance often means using personal technology, such as your computer or mobile device. Try not to get distracted by text messages, emails, or social media updates. (For example, why not switch off notifications for these things when studying, and turn your mobile to silent or leave it in another room?)
- This might mean having a regular study space at home that you do not have to tidy before you start learning
- If you are studying while travelling as part of your job, make sure you have the relevant materials with you. (Certain materials can be downloaded to smart devices, which means you can access them while on the move.)
Reflection
Having completed Activity 1, and reading the study tips, are there any other factors you need to consider when planning your study time? You might find it helpful to note them here.
We hope that in working through the rest of this course you discover helpful strategies and resources.