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Top Tips for Managing Your Time During a Short Course

Short Course, Fast Pace

Short courses are a great way to gain a new qualification quickly – but their speed can catch students off guard. With content, assessments and practical components delivered in a compact timeframe, there’s not much room to fall behind.

The good news? With the right approach, you can stay on track without burning out. This article offers simple, practical strategies to help you make the most of your time and complete your course with confidence.

Understand the Time Commitment Up Front

Before the course begins (or as soon as possible after it starts):
  • Check how many days or weeks the course runs
  • Ask about key assessment deadlines or practical sessions
  • Identify any self-paced work you need to do outside class
  • Think about any clashes with your personal or work schedule

Knowing what’s ahead helps you make space for it – or ask early if you need support or adjustments.

Use a Calendar - Not Just Your Head

Trying to “remember everything” leads to missed tasks and unnecessary stress.

Instead:
  • Use a paper planner, phone calendar, or digital tool
  • Block out course sessions, study time, and deadlines
  • Add reminders a few days before each key date
  • Schedule regular check-ins with yourself to stay on track
Time management is just a series of small decisions made in advance.

Break It Down to Avoid Panic

Short courses can feel overwhelming if you look at the whole thing at once. Break your workload into:
  • Daily or weekly study goals
  • One assessment at a time
  • One section or topic at a time
If you’re given a workbook or online module, divide it into manageable pieces and set realistic timeframes to complete them.

Set a Study Routine That Works for You

Even 30–60 minutes per day can make a big difference if used consistently. Aim to:
  • Study when you have the most energy (e.g. early morning or after dinner)
  • Use short bursts of focus (e.g. 25 minutes on, 5-minute break)
  • Keep your study area tidy and distraction-free
  • Let others in your household know your “no interruption” times
Routines reduce decision fatigue – so you spend less time thinking about studying and more time doing it.

Use Downtime Strategically

Short courses require smart use of small pockets of time. Try:
  • Reviewing notes during lunch breaks
  • Listening to course-related audio or videos during commutes
  • Drafting assessment answers in a notebook when offline
  • Using weekends or days off to complete larger tasks
You don’t need full free days – you need focused minutes.

Communicate Early If You’re Falling Behind

The earlier you speak up, the more support we can offer.

If life gets in the way, or you’re struggling to meet a deadline:
  • Let your trainer know
  • Ask what flexibility might be available
  • Don’t wait until assessments are overdue or motivation drops completely

Short courses move quickly – but one honest conversation can save your enrolment.

A Little Planning Goes a Long Way

Time management doesn’t mean being perfect – it means being proactive. A short course is a sprint, not a marathon. Stay focused, plan your time, and ask for help early.

Asset College is here to support your success – but only you can take charge of your time. And when you do, you’ll be amazed how much you can achieve in just a few weeks.

A Little Planning Goes a Long Way

Time management doesn’t mean being perfect – it means being proactive. A short course is a sprint, not a marathon. Stay focused, plan your time, and ask for help early.

Asset College is here to support your success – but only you can take charge of your time. And when you do, you’ll be amazed how much you can achieve in just a few weeks.

Article Series

Wellbeing and Success in Training: How to Get the Most Out of Your Course

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