Whether you’re in school or have chosen to complete year 12 after a few years in the work force, deciding to do VCAL or VCE is an important decision. Knowing which one is right for you means having some idea of what you want to get out of the qualification as each are more suited to different pathways.
Considering a career change
Do you dread going to work everyday? Count the minutes until it’s over? Live for the weekend?
Healthy food for a healthy brain
Eating a balanced diet isn’t just important for your physical health, it also improves brain cognition and concentration, making it easier to take in and retain information. At Learn Local, we want you to get the most out of every class you attend. By eating healthily you’ll find learning easier than ever.
Why get back into education?
Furthering your education at any point in your life is extremely rewarding and can open many doors in both your professional and personal life. By taking a few classes you can learn new skills and meet new interesting people.
5 tips for maintaining brain function
Maybe you’ve been on holidays, taken leave, or have taken a break between Learn Local courses and are now feeling a little foggy upstairs. Maintaining brain function in a period of down time is important so that when you do decide to re-enter into learning or work, it’s easier to get back into the swing of things!
Being savvy when it comes to online safety
Technology has changed our way of life in the span of 20 years, so being savvy about your privacy and safety online is important.
Make studying outside of the classroom work for you
When studying at home after your Learn Local class, make sure your study space works for you as this will help you achieve your goals.
Learn Local news bulletins
Here is an archive of the Learn Local news bulletins.
Being active and in the moment
So, you’ve started a new Learn Local course and it’s the first time you’ve been in a learning environment in a while.
It’s never too late to enter the digital world
As a society, we have become so reliant on using digital technology to communicate and conduct our everyday lives, it’s important that we ensure parts of our community don’t get left behind.
How to learn smarter
Back into study mode with Learn Local, but need some tips on how to learn faster and smarter
Here are some ways to help your brain retain information:
Interested in a career in horticulture?
Got a green thumb? Love getting out in the gardening and growing plants? Maybe you’re passionate about growing your own fruit and vegetables.
Maybe floral arranging is something that interests you.
Being a role model for other learners
Lifelong learning is a way of life! It means you are constantly engaged, constantly growing, and constantly learning new things from a variety of perspectives.
Here are 5 reasons to be a lifelong learner:
Podcasts: Listen and learn
Many Learn Local providers offer courses on digital technology, such as how to use smart phones, streaming platforms and social media, so today we’re going to talk about podcasts.
A podcast is an audio episode, usually streamed, where people discuss different topics on absolutely anything and everything – depending on your interests.
Studying while parenting
The prospect of returning to study while being a parent of young children can seem like a lot at first. The great thing about Learn Local providers is that they’re flexible and many offer childcare on-site which is handy.
New year means new possibilities
Think you might like to return to study in 2019? Here are some reasons to get motivated!
Thinking about starting a small business?
Have you always dreamed of working for yourself? Owning your own café and serving up mounds of delicious smashed avocado? Or, perhaps, selling more of that beautiful jewellery you love to wear?
Are you thinking of working in the community services sector?
The community services sector offers a broad range of job options and can provide a great sense of satisfaction, but is it right for you?
Want to finish year 12 and wondering what your options are?
If you didn’t finish year 12 at school there are other options available. Finishing year 12 can increase your chances of further study and could help you find the right job.
Thinking about an apprenticeship or traineeship?
Traineeships and apprenticeships are a great way to learn skills and get some experience that may help you find a job in your chosen industry. You also earn money while learning valuable skills!
4 tips to help improve your English
Studying English in a classroom is a great way to learn, but if you really want to improve your English skills you’ll need to do some practice outside of the classroom too. Here are some tips to help you on your way to improving your English skills.
How improving your English skills may help you
English is one of the three most widely spoken languages in the world. The better you are at speaking, reading and writing English the more confident you will become in your everyday activities. Being confident with your English skills can also open up many more opportunities for you both socially and in your work place.
Computer skills that may help you with your next job
Computers are everywhere! Smart phones, laptops, tablets, desktop computers and even cash registers play a big part in our lives. So when you’re looking for a new job, being able to list computer skills on your resume may enhance your chances regardless of whether you’re going for an office job or something more hands on.
What to say and not to say during a job interview
Quite often job interviews can be nerve racking and when you are nervous you are more likely to make mistakes but if you spend some time preparing for your interview it can help you feel more comfortable and confident.
Tips and tricks to help you study successfully
Getting back into study or trying to keep your motivation up to study can seem a bit daunting at times. Life is busy and it is easy to get distracted, however the following tips can help you to stay on track and make the most of your study time.
Why having good writing skills will help you succeed
We all seem to spend a lot of time writing in this high-tech age. We text, tweet, update our Facebook posts and comment on articles. However, when we do this we often abbreviate our words, shorten our sentences and use emoji. We’re writing all the time, but not always very well.
Is maths not your thing? Do numbers make your head spin?
You may have got by in the past by pretending that you’ve forgotten your glasses or that numbers are not ‘your thing’. Don’t worry, you’re not alone! Many adults don’t have the confidence or ability to attend to day-to-day tasks such as managing money and family budgets, giving appropriate medication dosages or following a recipe.
Tips on asking for help when you need it
It is important to remember that asking for help is not a sign of weakness or incompetence; on the contrary, it has often been said that asking for help is a sign of strength.
What are some of the common obstacles adults face when trying to gain new qualifications?
There will inevitably be challenges in returning to study to gain new qualifications. Here are some common obstacles and ways you can overcome them.
5 great questions to ask at your next job interview
Job interviews can be tricky to navigate. You might be nervous and unsure of what to expect, and it can be a stressful situation. You might think that you are there just for your prospective employer to ask you questions and find out more about you, but did you know that job interviews are also an opportunity for you to ask the questions?
What adults fear most about returning to study
It’s perfectly normal to have fears about returning to study, and if you identify with any of the following, you’re certainly not alone. The most important thing is to recognise your fears, not ignore or deny them, so that you can take steps to overcome them.
10 practical tips on being more effective every day
Are you feeling under pressure? Understanding ways to become more efficient and productive goes a long way towards easing workload and time management challenges.
Here are 10 practical tips on how to be more effective in your daily routine.
How to make a great first impression at your job interview
Job interviews are stressful occasions for most people, and you should want to do everything you can to put your best foot forward. Here are 4 popular (and absolutely key) tips on how to make a great first impression at your next job interview.
Lifelong learning resources that everyone can tap into
With the Internet and its limitless resources at our disposal, everyone can be a lifelong learner these days, as long as they have a reliable Internet connection and a computer, laptop, tablet or smart phone. From free online courses to websites and even apps that promote the learning of a second language, there is an extremely wide range of resources that we can all tap into on our path to lifelong learning.
Factors to consider if you’re thinking about returning to study as an adult
If you’re an adult who is thinking about returning to study, whether it’s a short course, certificate, diploma or degree, know that you’re not alone. Here in Australia, more and more adults are returning to study, whether to advance their careers, help them to get a better job, or even to change careers altogether.
How much sleep should you be getting to function at your best?
Sufficient rest and sleep is crucial to our body and mind’s ability to function effectively. Particularly for adults who are returning to study, many, if not most of you, will be juggling several major commitments, such as work and family, on top of your studies.
Improve your listening! Here are 7 tips on how to be a better listener
Listening is an important life skill, not just in terms of becoming a better learner, but also in terms of making you a more effective employee, friend and all round person. Listening is not the same as hearing; you can hear something without actually listening to it – that is, without actually engaging with what you have heard.
5 lifestyle habits that will boost your brainpower during the day
While it goes without saying that adequate rest, regular exercise and a healthy diet go a long way towards ensuring that our brains are functioning at their best, when it comes to boosting our brainpower and memory, there is more that we can do.
Top 5 tips for writing your resume
If you’re applying for a job, you want to make sure that you give yourself the best possible chance of succeeding, and it all begins with your resume.
You’re never too old! Here are 5 lessons that adults can learn from kids
Have you ever looked at a child and admired their creativity, sense of wonder and enthusiasm? Growing up might be inevitable, but that doesn’t mean that we can’t learn a thing or two from the children around us.
The many benefits of lifelong learning
Technological advances make lifelong learning accessible to most members of the community. Despite this, many people do not prioritise learning
5 practical steps to help you become a lifelong learner
So you want to be a lifelong learner – congratulations! Lifelong learning is a wonderful thing to aspire to, and the benefits extend far beyond your job and career into your personal and social life.
Tips to help you study more effectively as an adult
Going back to school as an adult can be both exciting and daunting. Unlike those earlier years, adulthood generally comes with more commitments, such as work and family, which compete for your time and energy. That being said, there are a number of strategies you can adopt to help you study more effectively as an adult.
Keeping curiosity alive – how to do it and the benefits of doing so
Keeping jadedness and cynicism at bay is a good place to start, but if you are looking to keep your curiosity alive, the best examples around are often children. Believe it or not, according to studies done in the UK, young children were thought to ask between 300 and 400 questions a day, with four year old girls found to be the most inquisitive. Imagine how much we would learn as adults if we asked that many questions in a day!
7 time management tips for adults who are returning to study
Returning to study is a big commitment, particularly for adults who, more often than not, are also juggling a variety of other responsibilities including work and family. For them, effectively managing their time is one of their biggest challenges and sacrifices frequently have to be made.
If you are returning to study as an adult, here are 7 tips to help you effectively manage your time.
7 easy ways to get back into learning
There are many ways to learn as an adult. Here are 7 of them:
The top 10 foods you should eat to enable your brain to perform at its peak
As the saying goes, we are what we eat. The benefits to eating right are manifold, ranging from weight control and general wellbeing to even your brain’s ability to function at its best.
How to excel in the classroom as an adult learner
Returning to study as an adult can be a scary experience. But there are many benefits to being a mature-age learner.
Not only are you making an important investment in your future; you also contribute valuable skills, knowledge and experience to the classroom.
7 well known figures that didn’t let disability prevent them from learning, living and succeeding
Here are 7 well known people who didn’t let a disability prevent them from learning and, more importantly, living their life and succeeding.
Tips for returning to study as an adult
Learning is a lifelong process, and there’s no reason to stop studying just because you’ve reached a certain age. For many adults, returning to study is an important and necessary step towards a better job or career advancement. Even though it might seem like a major, rather daunting step, it’s often a worthy investment, with returns that are well worth the time, effort and money spent in the first place.
Quizzy capers
According to the journal Science, doing quizzes can actually help you to learn better. Doing quizzes helps motivate people to “want to” learn. So are you motivated? OK great, give this quiz a go for a bit of quizzical fun.
How to ask the right questions to maximise learning
The ability to ask questions when learning something new is a very useful skill to have as an adult learner. It can assist you to clarify new concepts and accelerate your learning.
When you ask questions in a group learning environment, not only do you show that you are engaging with the topic that is being discussed, you encourage better and clearer communication between the teacher/facilitator and the rest of the group. This can help to create a better learning environment and experience for everyone.
Top 10 learning benefits for adult learners
Learning as an adult can change your life. Here are some of the reasons you should check out a Learn Local near you today.
