What it’s like to study Communications 100% online

Why have you decided to study now at this point in your career?

It was important for me to have a university qualification to formalise my industry experience. I never wanted to start university straight out of school as I wanted to have some work experience behind me. I started this degree in my late twenties, and I found that it was great to bring my industry knowledge and everything that I've learned in my working life to the degree.

How did you land your new role while studying?

I had wanted to move from events into marketing and communications for a while and was encouraged by different people in the organisation to apply for the position. The skills I had learned in my studies gave me the confidence to apply for higher-level roles. Not only do I have the confidence to speak up and share my insights in meetings, I also have more knowledge and skills to bring to the table. My degree has played a major part in that.

The degree has filled in the gaps in my skillset in areas like strategic thinking, as well as reporting and analytics. Through my studies, I’ve gained the skills to think strategically about the things I’m doing, rather than focusing on the surface-level activities.

How do you manage your study time?

My schedule can get very busy. I have a full-time job as well as a young son. I’m a big planner – it comes from working in events. At the beginning of the term, I make sure I schedule all my important uni dates and blocks of study time into my diary.

My weekly study schedule changes each week and I like the flexibility that I’ve set up for myself. I generally study during lunch at work one to two days a week and then a couple of nights at home. I like to set aside time on the weekends to do assignments, but I also make sure that I don’t neglect my family and social responsibilities. The key to maximising your time is to make sure you’re not overburdened or overstressed, and I think that planning and organisation from the beginning of the term is key to this.

The key is to remain flexible. I know that if I miss an hour or two of study that it’s okay and the time can be made up another time. Knowing this helps me not to stress.

How have you found the support services at UniSA Online?

The support at UniSA Online is the best I’ve received on my higher education journey. I’ve started two other degrees at separate online universities and UniSA Online has been the most involved and helpful and offers the most individualised service I’ve received.

One thing that surprised me about studying with UniSA Online is the amount of support you get from your tutors. The ability to send a live message and have them respond in the same day – in some cases in only a few hours – is invaluable. They offer personalised advice and listen to my questions and concerns, going beyond the perfunctory answers that you sometimes get from uni tutors.

UniSA Online’s Student Advisers are also great. I always get frequent calls and emails, just checking in, sometimes not to talk about anything in particular, but just to see if I'm on track or if I need any support.

Did you have any concerns before starting your degree?

I was initially concerned about how I would fit in the degree alongside work and family commitments. My Student Adviser discussed several different study pathways with me, taking into account my situation and previous experiences with online learning. They alleviated all my concerns and most importantly, checked in with me once I was studying to see that I was on track and managing the workload.

What’s your advice for someone interested in studying but not sure what to do next?

My advice for someone interested in studying is to talk to the UniSA Online Student Advisers. Some of them are former or current students who have likely been in your shoes and can offer advice tailored to you. Write down your concerns, questions and – most importantly – your goals. Seeing these on paper will motivate you and help you decide which degree is right for you.