Goal #1: "I will succeed in this course."

At the beginning of a new course, look through the materials. Break the           lessons/assignments into manageable chunks. You might not have time to do           a full lesson in one night, so plan for how much you can do, then stick to it until           you're done.

Establish a regular study/learning schedule.

Keep a calendar or journal with your study goals and important dates clearly           marked-and look at it every day (a calendar can't help you if it's closed!).

Determine what time is best for you to study. Is it after dinner on Wednesdays           when your partner is at bowling? Is it Saturday mornings when the kids are at           soccer?

Take breaks-walk around and stretch. Drink some water or have a light snack. If            you're studying nutrition or health topics, you know how important this is!

If possible, have a dedicated study place with all the supplies you might need          (computer, paper, pens, calculator, etc.)

Pace yourself. Don't over extend yourself. There's a reason it takes several years          to graduate from traditional university. You're in this to learn, not just to get a          certificate, so make sure you're learning, not just racing through the materials.

Talk about it!

Tell people what you're doing. You're more likely to stick to a course if your           co-worker knows you're doing it. If you are studying high-tech or internet           development, the person might just know a programmer he can hook you up           with for tutoring.

Ask a friend to check up on you.

Ask someone to proof your work before you submit it.

Join a club. Aspiring financial planners could join a local investing club.

If you're studying a language like Spanish or Japanese, ask the owners of a local           restaurant if they know anyone who might like to do language exchange with you.

Get a mentor. If you're taking a course related to health or medicine, ask a nurse           or pharmacist if you can take them for coffee once a month.

Search the Internet for bulletin boards or chat rooms related to your topic.

Look for real-world situations and examples of what you're learning about. If           you're studying about civil engineering, pay attention to bridges.

You'll be much more interested if you're involved, not just reading about a topic.

Put things into practice as early as possible.

If you're studying accounting, practice by balancing your checkbook.

Celebrate successes!

Reward yourself with whatever works for you, along the way. Remember, you           chose to do this. Be proud of your accomplishments!

Ask Questions

If you don't understand something, ASK. It's been said a zillion times: the only           dumb question is the one you don't ask.