8 Ways to Boost Your Focus – Part 1

8 Ways to Boost Your Focus – Part 1

There are days when concentrating feels like walking through wet cement. No matter how many times you read and re-read the material, you’re just not switched on! You’re motivated to get through the work but can’t focus. Now, before you reach for that second cup of coffee, try some of these more novel ways to switch on your brain when it wants to wander.

But first, what is concentration?

Concentration is the ability to focus your mind on one subject, object or thought at will while excluding all other unrelated stimuli (such as thoughts, ideas, feeling or sensations). Unfortunately, it’s becoming increasingly difficult to achieve this level of focus in a world busy distracting us – think social media, instant messenger, WhatsApp, Email and various other tech communication vying for our attention.

So, how can we focus better to achieve our goals? We’ve listed 8 online study tips that we hope will help you improve your concentration when there’s so much vying for your attention.

  1. Eliminate distractions

So, this one’s a bit obvious, but you’d be surprised how many distractions are around that you might not notice. Do you have your phone on your desk? If so, how many times are you notified to check Apps, Emails or Messages from friends? You might think glancing down at your phone is harmless, after al it only takes a few seconds, but those few seconds add up and take your focus away from your study goals. Next time you sit at your desk for a study session or to complete assessments, try turning off notifications. Or, even better, if you’re able, turn your phone off altogether. We bet you’ll notice your focus improves and your productivity is boosted just with this one simple online study tips!

The same is true of studying with any other distraction in the background, whether it’s children running in and out of your office, a television on in the background or an interrupting spouse! Make sure you study when distractions are limited, and you’ll achieve much more in less time.

  1. Focus on one task at a time

Multi-tasking might seem like a good idea, but this is one of our top online study tips – don’t do it! Just like distractions, multi-tasking constantly draws your attention away from your focus. So, while you might feel like you’re being more productive, it’s sabotaging your concentration to complete top priority tasks. It can also lead to burnout and, as a result, lowers the quality of your work. So, set the priority and stick to it for a specific time.

  1. Meditation and mindfulness

A study published in Scientific Reports showed that meditating for just ten minutes a day can improve your concentration and working memory. According to researchers from Harvard University, our minds are lost in thought 47 per cent of the time! If you’re a student, these thoughts are often about dwelling on the past or worrying about the future. So, to tame the brain and remain focused on your studies, try mediation at home, join a yoga class or even Tai Chi. The few minutes you spend meditation each day will be worthwhile when it comes to increasing your productivity by enhancing both focus and memory.

  1. Sleep hygiene

Scientists have found that lack of sleep results in lower levels of alertness and concentration. If you’re missing out on vital shut-eye, so less than seven or eight hours a night for most of us, your ability to study and complete assessments requiring reasoning or complex thought is compromised. Make sure you’re getting to bed about the same time every night and waking at the same time in the morning – even on weekends (where possible), so you don’t upset your sleep schedule. You don’t want to suffer from sleepiness as it slows down your thought processes, and impairs your memory! This is one online study tip that’s pretty simple – make sure you’re getting your beauty sleep!

  1. Blueberries for brains!

Blueberries have been shown to boost concentration and memory for up to five hours! That’s almost a whole school day! Apparently, the antioxidants in blueberries stimulate the blood flow and oxygen to the brain, which keeps the mind fresh! So, why not add some blueberries to your morning smoothy or breakfast cereal?

  1. Take breaks

Research shows that taking purposeful study breaks, from 5 to 60 minutes, refreshes your brain and body. As a result, you feel more energetic, productive and focused. So, while planning your study time, make time for regular breaks to improve your ability to achieve your study goals and reduces stress!

  1. Surround yourself with nature

Do you study in a green space? This might be one of our most practical online study tips! Simply by looking into green space – through your office window – or putting indoor plants around (or on) your desk, you’ll improve your concentration. According to researchers from the University of Edinburgh and Heriot-Watt University, a brief walk in the forest or just viewing green spaces can reduce brain fog, improve your focus and sharpen your thinking!

  1. Exercise daily

Exercise every day to get your body and your mind moving. A study in Harvard Men’s Health Watch revealed that chemicals released during exercise boost memory, concentration and mental sharpness. You don’t need to run a marathon, as just a few minutes is enough to boost your brain. A systematic review published in the journal Translational Sports Medicine found that as little as two minutes of exercise can temporarily boost memory. Longer periods of exercise (around 60 minutes) can improve cognitive function for up to two hours afterwards.

There’s no doubt it’s important to take care of your body to improve your brain power. If you’re planning to sit down to study session or tackle that last piece of assessment, make sure you’re heeding these online study tips to boost your success!

If you’re interested in more online study tips, look out for 8 Ways to Boost Your Focus: Part 2. Coming soon.

If you’d like to know more about our online professional development courses, contact one of our friendly Course Consultants today. Whether it’s changing careers, starting a business or personal development, we can help you find your new direction.

How to Be More Creative at Work!

Creativity, a soft skill that has long been celebrated as the cornerstone of innovation and problem-solving in the workplace, is a key driver of unique ideas and a fresh perspective when tackling challenges. Unsurprisingly, this dynamic skill is ranked highly in the World Economic Forum’s (WEF) latest Future of Jobs survey, with creativity projected to be among the top five skills that companies will demand by 2025. In fact, the report’s findings reveal that creative thinking is the second most important skill in the workplace.

Fortunately, creativity is not a fixed trait but a skill that can be developed and enhanced over time. This self-improvement is open to anyone, whether you’re a business manager, copywriter, freelance writer, or work in any role that requires innovative thinking. We’ve compiled a list of top tips to help you enhance your creativity as an individual or a manager in the workplace, putting you in control of your creative potential.

As an Individual

Creativity is an essential skill that can help you grow both personally and professionally. When you develop your ability to think creatively, you can come up with innovative solutions that make problem-solving more successful. This skill is especially valuable in jobs that require strategic thinking and adaptability.

Connect experiences

Steve Jobs once said, “Creativity is just connecting things”. Creative people can connect experiences they’ve had and synthesise them into new ideas. This involves paying close attention to processes, ideas, and methods used in other areas of life, as well as asking yourself how you can find and define inspiration from outside the office and repurpose it in your role and responsibilities.

Dim the lights

Humans are visual creatures, and what we see often shapes what we think. Hence, it’s essential to cultivate a workspace that enables us to reflect. In terms of how to be more creative, according to the Journal of Environmental Psychology, dimming lights can downplay a room’s distractions, which encourages the generation of ideas and freedom of thought. A too-bright computer screen can also lead to eye strain, which is certainly not conducive to creativity!

Add some noise

According to ResearchGate, ambient noise — around 50 to 70 decibels — can enhance creative thinking. This is because a low level of noise “increases processing difficulty, inducing a higher construal level and thus promoting abstract processing, which subsequently leads to higher creativity”. High noise levels, on the other hand, can impair creativity.

Get messy

Although a tidy workspace can enhance productivity, research also shows that creativity can be increased with a little mess! An article published by the Association for Psychological Science claims that “being creative is aided by breaking away from tradition, order and convention, and a disorderly environment seems to help people do just that. Orderly environments, in contrast, encourage convention and playing it safe”.

Disrupt your routine

In terms of how to be more creative, changing things up can help improve our brain’s neuroplasticity and help rewire its creative side, according to the book How We Learn by Benedict Carey. This is because our brains are wired to favour security and stability. Suggestions include changing your gym workout, finding an alternative way to get to work, or eating your lunch in a new location.

Get physical

According to online mental health provider Lysn, one of the most underrated benefits of exercise is what it can do for your mind. When we exercise, we release endorphins. This provides an instant mood boost and enhances forms of thinking. It can also allow us to tap into a more extensive spectrum of our imagination and generate more original ideas.

Practice mindfulness

Another element to consider if you are wondering how to be more creative is to practice mindfulness. According to Headspace, mindfulness is the quality of being present and fully engaged with whatever you are doing, being free from judgement or distraction, and aware of your thoughts and feelings without getting caught up in them. A few strategies to try include breathing exercises, meditating, taking a walk outdoors, limiting social media time, and listening to calming music.

Stay open

Most problems have a solution – they just need to be discovered! Creativity often involves divergent thinking, and three great questions to ask yourself are “What if?”, “What’s a better way to …?” and “How might I …?” Putting these into practice daily can help build your creative muscle and boost your confidence in your ability to generate innovative ideas.

pexels pixabay 256514

Find your lightbulb moment by developing creativity at work

As a Manager

Creativity has a business return on investment (ROI) because there is a solid connection between creativity and business value. In fact, a global study by Adobe found that when companies invest in creativity:

  • 78 per cent increase their employee productivity
  • 80 per cent have satisfied customers
  • 78 per cent produce a better customer experience
  • 83 per cent fostered innovation
  • 73 per cent are financially successful

If you are a business manager, here are some ways you can cultivate a creative work environment and guide your employees to be more creative.

Try brainstorming

Flexible, pressure-free brainstorming in a relaxed setting is one of the best ways for employees to generate new ideas. Whether on a whiteboard or on good old-fashioned butcher’s paper, encourage them to scribble down ideas unprompted. It can enhance creativity and generate new ideas.  But it also shares the load of innovation and encourages employees to work together to create viable solutions to problems.

Facilitate anonymous suggestions

Sometimes, employees may feel a little intimidated by making suggestions publicly, even when encouraged. They may have general anxiety, a fear of embarrassment, or other reasons for not freely speaking their minds. One way of removing social barriers is by allowing employees to share their ideas anonymously. Whether via a suggestion box or an online survey that guarantees confidentiality, it will show them that their suggestions are valid and their creativity valued.

Act on their ideas

If employees think their ideas will be acted on and implemented, they’re more likely to offer suggestions. Once you’ve determined an idea will be a success, let your employees know how the idea came to be. This will encourage employees to be more creative at work by increasing their motivation to contribute.

Encourage individuality

It sounds simple, but let your employees know you value their thoughts and appreciate their individuality. Make it clear that you see them as unique individuals rather than simply employees. Most people will respond well and reward you with their ideas and insights.

Hire diverse talent

Diversity in the workplace contributes to an atmosphere of creative thinking, so consider hiring employees from different fields and different educational and cultural backgrounds. Encouraging multicultural diversity, in particular, is essential as we live in a multicultural society, so embracing differences and developing cultural competence is crucial.

 

We hope these tips will help you consistently practice creativity in the workplace to improve your skills, embrace opportunities and drive meaningful change. There’s also value in pursuing diverse experiences and embracing an open-minded approach to learning to significantly boost your creative abilities. This ongoing development of your creative powers can lead to improved job performance, enhanced career prospects, and the ability to adapt to rapidly changing industries.

Tips for Starting a New Job

Congratulations on your new job! You are probably feeling excited but nervous, as it can also be a little overwhelming. But that’s understandable — it can be a daunting experience for even the most seasoned professionals! However, it’s important you make a good first impression and gradually settle into your role so you can relish the next phase of your career. Here are some tips for starting a new job.

Your first day will probably be one of the most challenging days as you’ll be bombarded with so much information and new experiences.

Careful planning is vital, and some things worth considering include:

  • Contact your manager and ask if they have any recommendations for how to prepare. Reading material on the company and its products or services can give you insights. These include their website, annual reports and company newsletters.
  • Where you were interviewed may not be where you’ll be working, so check where you need to go.
  • Check transport schedules and parking availability so you can arrive on time.
  • Your manager. Confirm who you need to check in with when you get there, and if you’re unsure, contact the HR team.
  • If you haven’t already supplied, take along personal information such as your bank account and super fund details and your tax file number. You might also need to sign a contract, a confidentiality agreement or other documents on the day.
  • Work hours. Know when you need to arrive and what hours you’ll be working after that.
  • Dress code. Find out what you should wear. If you need to wear a uniform, make arrangements to collect this prior to your first day if possible.
  • Confirm if your workplace has a kitchen or meal area and what facilities are available for you to buy or prepare meals. Ask for lunch recommendations if you prefer to purchase your meals.
  • Workplace policies – Find out what policies and procedures need to be adhered to in your new workplace. There are also some rights and responsibilities that apply to all employers and employees. You can find out more here.

Once you’re there, try to relax

This is a wonderful opportunity to experience new things, learn new skills and meet new people. Embrace it! You should also try to:

Have a positive attitude

As you make your morning commute, remind yourself that the company chose you for a reason, so you have what it takes to master the role. Thinking back over your qualities and skills can further boost your confidence and motivation.

Be outgoing and confident

Your first few weeks or months will involve a steady flow of new faces, introductions and learning your colleagues’ names. If you struggle to put a name to a face, ask for a reminder — you’ll soon master who’s who in your new workplace. Also, try to confidently introduce yourself to new colleagues you run into. By remaining assertive and professional yet approachable in the early days, you’ll cement your reputation as a valued team member.

Plan an introduction

Creating a professional first impression is an essential part of building strong working relationships. When introduced to your new colleagues be ready to share information about yourself. However, it’s not necessary to reveal everything about yourself — communicating your background, and a little bit about you as a person should be enough!

Stay neutral

One of the worst things you can do when starting a new job is to get involved in gossip or office politics. If a conversation with a colleague turns into gossip, politely accept or deflect their opinions without getting involved further.

Listen and learn

When starting a new job, there is often a steep learning curve. Aim to take in as much information as possible, but also be prepared to ask questions. Also, remember that you are not expected to know everything from the start, and that a thorough understanding of any expectations will help you become a valuable team member in the early stages.

Take a physical tour

Most companies will offer this straight up. Note the location of bathrooms, the kitchen, the office supply room, and privacy/conference rooms where you might be able to spend a few moments of quiet time to regroup if you need to.

Take an organisational tour

This will allow you to understand where the major departments are, such as the areas you will work with, and the key support functions, such as the finance, HR and IT departments.

Take your manager’s lead

Typically you will have an induction period that will involve you becoming familiar with how the organisation works and your role within it. You can offer to get started straight away. But be aware, undertaking work assignments may be a gradual process.

Ask how they like to communicate

Is it via email, messenger, phone call or a physical visit to their office? Don’t assume your manager communicates like other managers you may have had before. Everyone is different.

Check in with them frequently

Most managers will schedule catch-up meetings with their staff. However, being proactive about checking in will allow you to get feedback and make necessary adjustments. This will show them you are open to change and willing to improve.

Ask them for more (or less) work

Your manager probably won’t know the full extent of your knowledge and skills or how quickly you will pick things up. They may give you tasks that are too easy or too much work or deadlines that are too tight. This is why frequent check-ins are valuable. They can offer real-time feedback, and your manager can gauge how quickly and effectively you work. Your manager can then adjust the pace accordingly or give you additional training or other support.

Get to know your colleagues

Lunch with your new colleagues is a great way to get to know them in a relaxed environment. Your peers can help you assimilate and offer valuable insights into the company and its employees. It can also help you build and maintain productive relationships and enhance your emotional intelligence.

8 Reasons Marketing & Sales Work Best Together!

Marketing and sales may be entirely different departments, but when they work together, they’re destined for success. Similarly, when they’re misaligned, it costs a business dearly.

HubSpot reports misalignment of sales and marketing costs companies $1 trillion* a year. That’s down to the fact that 79% of a lead generation never converts to sales. Companies with the proper alignment enjoy 27% faster three-year profit growth, close 38% more deals and 208% higher marketing revenue than organisations with disjointed teams.

So, what are the most convincing arguments for marketing and sales to work collaboratively? We can think of at least eight, but we’re sure there are more!

  1. Deeper Appreciation of Audience

One of the main advantages for marketers working with sales teams is the insight into the customer. As a result, marketers have a clearer understanding of their audience when creating marketing and promotional campaigns.

  1. Understand the Customer

One of the main advantages for marketers working with sales teams is the insight into the customer. As a result, marketers have a clearer understanding of their audience when creating marketing and promotional campaigns.

  1. Improved Customer Experience

When a collaboration exists between sales and marketing, customers enjoy an improved experience in engaging with a business. There are no gaps between what’s been promised (marketing messages) and what’s delivered (sales teams).

A 7000+ survey by LinkedIn and Join the Dots shows that 58% of organisations with integrated sales and marketing experienced improved efficiency, and 52% saw increased productivity. The study also showed 71% of them believe they more effectively addressed their customer needs because of this collaboration.

  1. Greater Engagement

Engagement is compromised when sales teams and marketing have tunnel vision, focusing on their specific goals. Alternatively, when working collaboratively, marketing can create impactful campaigns, and sales teams are better able to nurture leads. As a result, prospective customers are impressed.

  1. Stronger Relationships

Relationships improve if marketing and sales teams see themselves as friends rather than foes! A strong relationship improves trust; as a result, both are invested in helping the other reach their targets.

  1. Better Buyer Personas

Encourage employees, residents or students to care for their health and wellbeing. Health and Wellness Coordinators educate and inspire people to enjoy better mental, emotional and physical health.

  1. Faster Feedback

The feedback given to a sales team may indicate that a specific marketing strategy doesn’t resonate with the prospective customer. If there is a culture of open communication between teams, stronger relationships and the ability to quickly adjust strategies result.

  1. Improved Marketing Materials

It’s often a struggle for a marketing team to gauge the success of marketing efforts accurately. On the other hand, a sales team has direct contact with the customer and can help marketers create more valuable and informative content.

Sales teams have direct communication with prospects and customers and often repeatedly hear the same questions. When a marketing team works with sales, these queries will be invaluable in creating valuable marketing materials. This marketing collateral can include blog posts, eBooks, newsletters and social media posts. Prospective customers make better decisions when targeted with appropriate marketing materials.

Advanced Certificate of Sales & Marketing

Give your career the edge with a sales and marketing short course, which combines marketing foundations with strong sales skills. Whether you’re interested in pursuing sales management or marketing opportunities, this course is ideal professional development for you.

What will you learn:

  • Marketing and business
  • Scope of marketing
  • Target marketing
  • The marketing mix
  • Managing the marketing effort
  • Product presentation and packaging
  • Promotion communication skills
  • Product pricing and distribution
  • Customer service
  • Market research
  • Organisations – structures and roles
  • Developing sales concepts
  • Developing sales relationships
  • Sales ethics and law
  • Building product knowledge
  • Developing a customer strategy
  • Presentation strategy options
  • Closing the sale
  • Managing yourself
  • Managing a sales team

Our online sales and marketing courses are an excellent way to further your career or find a new direction. If you have questions about any of our courses, contact one of our friendly Course Consultants via phone, Live Chat or email.

 

*US dollars

Optimise Stock Needs by Improving Pastures

Farmers can often turn unprofitable farm enterprises into commercial successes by simply improving pastures. Ideal for farm owners, farm managers and farm hands, produce or land agents, farm supplies managers and those in the agriculture sector, our Certificate of Pasture Management will develop your capacity to manage pasture for commercial success and gain employment in various agricultural jobs.

In this pasture management course, you will learn to select plant varieties, evaluate sites for pasture development and manage established pastures. You will also study animal feed, stock management, grazing behaviour, weed control, the nutritional and commercial value of plant species, and how to develop a work program for a pasture farmer.

Learning Outcomes

Outcomes achieved by undertaking a course in improving pastures include:

  • Learning about pasture farmers, the distribution of pasture species and pasture improvement
  • Exploring how to choose a pasture mix, seed coating, variety selection, sustainability and maintenance
  • Gaining an understanding of the pasture plant in terms of what is valuable and the grass plant
  • Studying the stem, leaves, roots and inflorescence (the flower head, including panicle, spike and raceme inflorescence
  • Examining the growth and development of the grass family, including the seedling, the vegetative stage and the decline in growth rate and quality
  • Understanding annual and perennial grasses, carbohydrate “sinks”, the physiology of grasses and the structure of a typical grass
  • Attaining knowledge of flowers, characteristics common to grasses, growth habits and tillering, stolons and rhizomes
  • Gaining insights into the ways to identify grasses, using a botanical key and identification keys to selected common turf grasses
  • Learning about legumes, including identifying tips for common grasses
  • Gaining insights into winter dormant and winter active plants and Alpine meadow grass (poa alpina)
  • Learning about bent grasses and ryegrasses, fescues, bluegrasses, couches, zoysia grasses and carpet grasses
  • Exploring legumes, the importance of legumes in a pasture, nitrogen fixation in legumes and nitrogen amounts fixed by different types of legumes
  • Gaining an understanding of the rhizobium bacteria
  • Studying lucerne, perennial clovers, vetches, sainfoin and grasses to grow with clovers
  • Examining how to manage pastures, farm or site planning, choosing the correct site for a pasture and choosing the correct seed mix
  • Understanding rainfall, temperature and soils
  • Attaining knowledge of annual or perennial grass, when grazing is required and seed quality
  • Gaining insights into establishing a new pasture, preparing the land for pasture, preparing the seedbed and sowing and germination
  • Learning about direct drilling, aerial establishment, weed control and weed reduction via slashing, heavy grazing etc.
  • Exploring herbicides, seeders, band seeders, air seeders and other planters
  • Understanding continuous light stocking, season systems, one-herd-four-paddock systems, intensive systems and fire in grassland management
  • Attaining knowledge of horse pastures and ways to improve or maintain horse pasture
  • Gaining insights into pasture for free-range poultry, fodder trees and shrubs and their nutritional value
  • Learning about fertiliser/soil nutrients, pest and weed control, biological control and the advantages and disadvantages of biological methods
  • Exploring good pasture practices, irrigation, fallowing, hay feeders and cultivation
  • Gaining an understanding of cultivation, pasture renovation, complimentary practices, legumes and managing pasture after drought
  • Studying how to manage pasture after a drought breaks and fire and manage stock on burnt pasture

And more!

Pasture Management Tips 

Managing and improving pastures is a critical part of being a livestock farmer, and these skills are also extremely valuable to other agricultural roles. It can involve using existing natural grasses or planting additional grasses to maximise a property’s productivity and properly managing farm animals. It also involves being able to distinguish between desirable and undesirable plants and understanding the grazing habits of stock.

However, the process can be highly complex as there are many elements, and each constantly changes. For example, many plant varieties are used for grazing in specific areas. Each plant will also will react differently to different treatments and environmental conditions.

Different stock also graze in various ways — goats typically browse on bushes, sheep prefer to graze close rather than eating long grass, and cattle eat long grass. It’s complicated!

Natural pasture is also constantly changing and developing depending on the number and types of animals that graze on it and environmental conditions, and these aren’t often immediately apparent.

Farmers also rarely have one type of pasture. Most farms will have “natural” pasture, which is often a mix of grasses with some suited to one kind of animal, and others that suit a different type of animal. Many will also have “improved” pastures. These are specially planted to provide grazing at various times of the year;  therefore, they need different management. By understanding the different elements that affect grassland, those involved in pasture management can gain insights into how to effectively manage a critical resource — grazing.

Choosing a Pasture

Pastures differ on many levels. From the mix of plants they are composed of to how plants grow and their general vigour and health. For effective grazing and in terms of improving pastures, pastures need to match their use, and the type and number of animals being grazed should be carefully considered.

Seed coating is a new development available to farmers. It was essentially developed because grass seeds face many hazards before and during germination. They need precise amounts of nutrients and moisture to germinate and grow, and they are also light, so they can be blown away. If the seed is a legume, it requires a specific type of Rhizobium bacteria to enable it to “fix nitrogen”.

Fixing nitrogen is a term that’s used to describe a process by which bacteria living on the roots of legumes extract nitrogen from the air and convert it into a form that is used by plants. A coating around the seed offers a great deal of protection, including from stresses like sun, acid, wind, low moisture and infertile soil.  Birds and rodents also avoid coated seeds. Coated seeds makes sowing by machine easier, and even grasses like Digit Grass (Digitaria eriantha spp. eriantha) are more evenly distributed when coated.

Pasture Growth and Development

An important part of improving pastures is understanding the phases of a grass plant’s growth and development. These can be divided into three phases, and they coincide with the summer period from early November through to March or April. The times of these phases are essential so that rest periods can be built into a farmer’s grazing management progress, ensuring there is no mismanagement of grass.

Phase 1: November and December

Seedlings are very small in this phase because they use the maximum amount of light to produce carbohydrates via the process of photosynthesis. Carbohydrates are required for root system growth and development, which ensures the grass plant receives the maximum amount of nutrients and moisture from the soil.

During this phase, seedlings are sensitive to bad management by overgrazing, particularly by hoofs and teeth! Hence, paddocks should have a substantial “rest” time at this stage to successfully establish these small grasses.

Phase 2: January and early February

This is a stage when a vast amount of leafy material is produced, so it should be the stage where grazing is utilised to its fullest. The “graze half and leave half” rule is applied whenever animals graze on a particular paddock. Progress is made in maintaining and regaining the grasses’ vigour. Some farmers believe this forces livestock to level the paddock, hence they remove the long tuft-like grass that is not productive. However, this thought process can be misguided.

Firstly, fussy stock won’t touch the long, tuft grass, preferring to graze on more palatable vegetation, including vulnerable new shots. This puts strain on the more desirable grass, which in time can die out. Secondly, leaving a certain amount of leaf canopy after each grazing period enables plants to recover quickly.

If farmers want to level the grazing, they should do this mechanically (such as with a mower) rather than having it grazed down severely. This “graze half and leave half” rule also applies to cutting. If a plant is severely cut, the roots typically stop growing within twenty-four hours. So, if 50 per cent of the leaves are removed, the roots will continue to grow, but probably at a slower rate. And if more than 50 per cent of the leaves are removed, root growth may stop for three to eight days. Above 80 per cent defoliation, roots will start dying back from their tips.

Phase 3: late February and early March

This is the reproductive phase, which is essential for the development and release of seeds. Seeds are vital for the establishment and maintenance of pasture. At this stage, farmers should encourage the reproduction of more desirable grass species.

 

Gain a comprehensive understanding of pasture management to work towards improving pastures for more productive farms with our Certificate of Pasture Management.

Gain Vital Ag Skills With a Raising Calves Course

Rearing and breeding calves is fundamental to cattle and dairy farming and can increase profits. Ideal for farm managers, farm hands and agricultural consultants, our Introduction to Calf Rearing will give you a comprehensive understanding of calf production in the dairy and beef cattle industry.

In this raising calves course, you will learn how to select calves for breeding and dairy, manage calf operations on a farm, identify health issues, and design housing facilities for animal production. You will also gain insights into post-weaning requirements and weaning procedures for commercial operations.

Learning Outcomes

Outcomes achieved by undertaking a course on raising calves include:

  • Learning about calving and culling
  • Exploring research into raising dairy calves
  • Gaining an understanding of the principles of good calf rearing
  • Studying pre-calving management and managing the cow for a healthy calf
  • Examining colostrum management, calf selection and estimated breeding value (EBV)
  • Understanding how to assess calves for suitability in a rearing system
  • Attaining knowledge of the size and weight of the calf
  • Gaining insights into deformities
  • Learning about teats, legs and feet
  • Exploring the birth of a calf and the stages in a normal birth
  • Gaining an understanding of calving problems
  • Studying abnormal presentations and normal and abnormal birth positions
  • Examining colostrum and stress and pathogen exposure
  • Understanding how to manage pathogen exposure
  • Attaining knowledge of the calf digestive tract
  • Gaining insights into rumen development
  • Learning about calf health management and common calf diseases
  • Exploring scours (or diarrhoea), roundworm scours and coccidiosis
  • Gaining an understanding of lungworm, calf diphtheria, pneumonia and clostridial diseases
  • Studying salmonella and navel or joint ill
  • Examining stress and the young calf, feeding stress, transport stress and stress from heat or cold
  • Understanding calf rearing systems, including natural systems of calf rearing
  • Attaining knowledge of birth to learning, single suckling and calving patterns
  • Gaining insights into the breed or cross, growth rates and creep feeding of calves
  • Learning about the advantages of the single suckling method and multiple suckling
  • Exploring foster and race suckling, early weaning and artificial systems of calf rearing
  • Gaining an understanding of how to teach a calf to drink and a basic feeding program
  • Studying milk substitute feeding and the standard mixture of milk substitutes
  • Examining common calf rearing systems, rearing calves with grass and the five-and-a-half-day system
  • Understanding the once-a-day system and the cold milk system
  • Attaining knowledge of acidified milk replacers, mildly acidic milk replacers and strongly acidic milk replacers
  • Gaining insights into milk-fed veal production and housing and management practices
  • Learning about calf housing, good ventilation, calf isolation, comfort, calf pens, metal crates and the calf hutch
  • Exploring weaning, including stress at weaning and general weaning transition strategies
  • Gaining an understanding of weaning at twelve and eight weeks and steps to weaning calves
  • Studying how to wean at five weeks, ten days, thirty-five days and eighty-four days old
  • Examining post-weaning, including transition into the main herd and calf husbandry practices
  • Understanding how to reduce surgical stress, cattle identification, castration and bloodless castration
  • Attaining knowledge of bloodless emasculator (calves and bulls), elastrator (calves) and surgical castration
  • Gaining insights into knife or scalpel or open castration and triple crush emasculator
  • Learning about when to dehorn, dehorning instruments and equipment and choosing the right dehorning instrument
  • Exploring hot iron dehorning, dehorning knives, scoop dehorners and successful horn removal
  • Gaining an understanding of tetanus and vaccination and worming programs

And more!

Common Calf Diseases

One of the important aspects of raising calves is how to identify and treat calf diseases. Here are the most common ones, according to Dairy Australia.

Rotavirus

This infection is caused by calves ingesting the virus from adult and other calves’ manure. Pregnant cows are also known to pass high virus levels around calving time. No specific drugs are available to destroy this virus, and treatment is focused on fluid/electrolyte replacement and other supportive measures. Prevention strategies include minimising calf contact with manure from adult cattle, and ensuring calves consume high-quality colostrum within 12 hours of birth.

Salmonellosis

This is a family of bacteria (Salmonella sp.), and many strains can cause disease in many species, including humans. Calves are infected by ingesting the bacteria found in soil, manure or water. It can also be found in the nasal secretions and saliva of infected animals. High temperatures are common with this disease, and some strains can cause joint infections and pneumonia. Prevention measures include cleaning up grain to reduce bird droppings, avoiding exposure to possible sources of infection, and minimising calf contact with adult cattle manure.

Cryptosporidium parvum

Another disease to be aware of when raising calves is Cryptosporidium Parvum. It is very common in the industry, and infection is caused by a calf ingesting an organism that is found in soil, manure or water. This disease invades the wall of the intestine, and eggs are produced. These either re-infect calves or are shed into the environment. No specific drugs are available that destroy this protozoan. Treatment is focused on adequate fluid replacement and other supportive measures. To prevent it, avoid overcrowding and exposure to possible sources such as pasture grazed by older cattle, contaminated water, and manure from other animal species.

Coronavirus

Calves get infected by this virus by ingesting manure from adults and other calves. Pregnant cows are known to pass high levels of the virus around the time of calving. No specific drugs are available that destroy this virus. Treatment is focused on adequate fluid replacement and other supportive measures. Prevention is based on minimising calf contact with adult cattle manure and ensuring calves aren’t exposed to manure during rearing or transportation. In Australia, vaccines are available against coronavirus, and are given to cows before calving.

Colibacillosis – E coli

This is caused by a bacterium (E coli), which is a normal inhabitant in the gut of cattle. There are many different strains, and not all cause disease. E coli (K99/F5) is the most common cause of diarrhoea (known as calf scours) in calves in Australia. Treatment relies on electrolyte and fluid replacement and anti-inflammatory and non-steroidal drugs. Prevention revolves around minimising calf contact with manure. Vaccination in conjunction with good colostrum management can also effectively minimise the impact of this disease. A vaccine is now available in Australia that is administered to dams before calving to increase antibodies in their colostrum.

Coccidiosis

Coccidiosis is caused by a protozoan. Infection is caused by ingesting the organism which is found

in soil, manure or water. Treatment options include using medications such as sulpha-based antibiotics. Prevention measures include avoiding overcrowding and minimising exposure to manure and contaminated pastures.

Non-infectious, nutritional scours

This condition presents as scouring with no identifiable infectious agent present. The actual cause is unknown, but an overly-large feed may cause a digestive upset or simple indigestion disrupting normal manure production. Changes in milk temperature and milk composition may also play a role. Treatment is focused on fluid replacement and other supportive measures. Reduction in volumes of milk fed per feed and increasing feeding frequency may be of value, and good quality milk should be fed at constant temperatures.

Pneumonia

Pneumonia is another condition to be aware of when raising calves. It is a viral or bacterial infection of the lungs, and clinical signs may include coughing, fever, drooling, an increased respiratory rate and a decreased appetite. Viruses can also play a significant role as an initial cause of lung inflammation. Stressors such as cold weather, poor nutrition and overcrowding make calves more susceptible to viral infections. Treatment involves antibiotics administered by a vet. Prevention measures include ensuring facilities have shelter from draughts, adequate ventilation and good air quality.

Joint Ill

Symptoms include swollen, painful joints with limping progressing to non-weight bearing lameness. It is caused by bacteria entering the bloodstream and lodging in the joints. Treatment with the appropriate antibiotics and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs can be helpful. Prevention strategies include spraying a dam’s umbilical cord with an effective disinfectant shortly after birth and repeating as necessary.

Mouth or cheek abscess

When raising calves, a common symptom associated with a mouth or cheek abscess is visible as a swelling of the cheek region. It is usually caused by a penetrating mouth wound that becomes infected with bacteria. Most wounds will heal with draining and flushing, but antibiotics are administered in severe cases.

Mycoplasma

This condition is caused by a bacteria – Mycoplasma bovis. It is known to cause ear infections, lung infections and swollen joints or joint infections. It is highly contagious, and can be spread by respiratory secretions, airborne particles, feeding equipment and contaminated water, feed and bedding. M bovis is challenging to treat successfully with common antibiotics — a long course of antibiotics is typically required. The best prevention strategy is to main a high level of biosecurity where calves are born and reared.

 

Gain a broad understanding of calf production and rearing to enhance your agriculture career with a course on raising calves, such as our Introduction to Calf Rearing.

High Demand Jobs & Courses to Match!

COVID-19 has brought significant disruption to the global economy and with it, changes to the careers landscape. However, as globalisation continues and new jobs and ways of working open up, the future of work will be dynamic, transformative and exciting!

There will be abundant opportunities for those with a range of skills and experience, and a love of lifelong learning will be an essential character trait in terms of people adapting to the workforce of the future. According to LinkedIn’s Jobs on the Rise in 2021 report, here are some of the high demand jobs.

#1 – Mental Health Specialists

Several community services roles are currently some of the most in-demand in Australia. This includes the area of mental health, which was boosted by the government’s significant financial investment in the sector in 2020. The sector incorporates a range of roles and covers all stages of life, from children and adolescents to older Australians.

Mental health specialists can include practitioners, social workers, counsellors and psychologists who deal with vulnerable people who may be experiencing poverty, discrimination, addiction, illness, domestic and family violence, mental health issues or other forms of hardship.

Fast fact: According to the Australian Government’s Labour Market Insights, the future growth of jobs in the counselling sector is expected to be over 14.2 per cent by 2026.

#2 – Healthcare/Medical Support Workers

Other high demand jobs in the healthcare sector include support worker and case management roles. Workers in these jobs typically help people access a range of care, from support at home and physical therapy to delivering assistance and services to clients. Roles also cover a range of sectors from community and aged care to homelessness support services.

Fast fact: According to the Australian Government’s Labour Market Insights, the future growth of jobs for aged and disabled carers is expected to be over 28 per cent by 2026.

#3- Customer Service Workers

With the advent of COVID-19, many customer service workers were asked to respond and navigate through significant disruption. From tourism to hospitality, they needed to re-purpose their communication and interpersonal skills to understand complaints and changing customer needs.

Fast fact: According to the Australian Government’s Labour Market Insights, the future growth of jobs for those in the retail trade is expected to be over 4.1 per cent by 2026.

#4 – E-commerce Professionals

The retail sector is one of Australia’s largest employers. And despite the significant challenges that affected “bricks and mortar” businesses due to COVID-19, it’s not surprising that the area of E-commerce is booming.

According to an article in the Australian Financial Review in May, the growth rate of online sales was almost 30 per cent in 2018. During the 2020 lockdowns, this surged to over 60 per cent. High demand jobs are abundant for E-commerce professionals, but online business owners can also reap the benefits of this burgeoning retail platform.

Fast fact: According to Statista, while online sales accounted for 18 per cent of global retail sales in 2020, that share is projected to climb to over 21 per cent in 2024.

#5 – Digital Content Writers

Content is truly king in this digital age, and according to LinkedIn, its demand is increasingly high. In 2020, it observed a sharp increase in organisations’ posts, making bloggers, copywriters, freelance writers and podcasters some of the latest high-demand jobs.

Fast fact: According to the Australian Government’s Labour Market Insights, the future growth of jobs for journalists and other writers is expected to be over 7.1 per cent by 2026.

#6 – Education Roles

Tasked with preparing children for primary school, those working in early childhood education prepare materials and equipment for children’s education and recreational activities. They also support their emotional, physical and social development, playing a crucial role in giving Australia’s youngest generation quality learning experiences.

Fast fact: According to the Australian Government’s Labour Market Insights, the future growth of jobs for child carers is expected to be over 5.9 per cent by 2026.

#7 – Finance Professionals

Australia has a sophisticated financial services sector, which is one of the most significant contributors to the national economy. Another one of the high demand jobs in the current employment market is those of finance professionals, including accountants and bookkeepers.

Fast fact: According to the Australian Government’s Labour Market Insights, the future growth of jobs for accountants is expected to be over 9.2 per cent by 2026.

#8 – Digital Marketing Specialists

The ability to communicate with customers using digital marketing, including social media, has become even more important in this Information Age as many brands face significant disruption to their usual customer engagement.

Fast fact: According to LinkedIn, half of the top ten jobs posted on their site are in the media or digital space. 

#9 – Recruitment Professionals  

With many companies freezing hiring the past year due to uncertainties, recruiters have had to re-evaluate their recruitment strategies. One trend that has emerged is recruitment consultants pivoting to a role as a “career development specialist”, focusing on not just recruiting but helping people find new roles and careers.

Fast fact: According to the Australian Government’s Labour Market Insights, the future growth of jobs for HR professionals is expected to be over 13.1 per cent by 2026.

#10 – ICT Managers

The Information Technology sector is continuing to grow at a rapid rate and is arguably one of the most valuable future-proof industries. Information and Communications Technology (ICT) Managers typically manage the acquisition, development, maintenance and use of computer and telecommunications systems within organisations.

Fast fact: According to the Australian Government’s Labour Market Insights, the future growth of ICT managers’ jobs is expected to be over 17.7 per cent by 2026.

#11 – Cyber Security Specialists

The cyber security sector is growing fast, and according to the Government’s own Cyber Security Strategy, Australia is suffering from a cyber security skills shortage. People in cyber security roles offer a range of services from developing software to minimising viruses, hackers and phishing.

Fast fact: Over the 2020-21 financial year, the Australian Cyber Security Centre (ACSC) received over 67,500 cybercrime reports, an increase of nearly 13 per cent from the previous financial year.

Best Online Business Courses (For Anyone)!

There are a lot of uncertainties in the COVID-19 pandemic business world, but one thing is certain — we need to be adaptable to what is an ever-changing environment. Along with trends towards automation, E-commerce and remote work, the future of work is also centred around the need for workers to be prepared to re-skill throughout their careers to meet changing demands.

Skills-based Business Courses

According to the 2021 National Skills Commission report, core competencies, otherwise known  as “soft” or “employability skills” will become increasingly important. These are skills that are common across most occupations and industries.

Here are some of the business skills that are in greatest demand, including some recommended by the World Economic Forum’s (WEF) 2020 Future of Jobs Report. We’ve also included some suggestions of online business courses we offer that will help you achieve them!

Industry-based Business Courses

If you already have an idea of the type of industry and role you would like to aim for or transition to, we also offer a range of online business courses that will help you get your foot in the career door. Some stats from the Australian Government’s Labour Market Insights might also offer that final bit of inspiration to get you started!

HR and Recruitment

Human Resource Professionals plan, develop, implement and evaluate staff recruitment and assist in resolving disputes by advising on workplace matters. Many of them also represent commercial, industrial, employer, union and other parties in negotiations on issues like rates of pay, enterprise bargaining and conditions of employment.

In terms of online business courses, consider one of our human resources and recruitment courses. According to the Labour Market Insights, the future growth of HR professional jobs is expected to be over 13.1 per cent by 2026. 

Office Administration

Those who work in office administration perform a wide range of admin support roles to professionals in a range of occupations. Typically, they will use relevant equipment and software, deal with customer or client enquires, organise and collate paperwork, organise meeting resources and manage budgets, data and financial systems. Some of the most common online business courses undertaken are:

Project Management

In the broadest sense, project managers (PMs) are responsible for planning, organising, and directing the completion of specific projects for an organisation while ensuring projects are on budget, on time, and within scope. They may also undertake risk assessments, manage stakeholder relationships and report back to stakeholders in terms of highlighting any risks, challenges and successes. Project management online business courses can cover areas like:

Management and Leadership

Managers perform a variety of functions from supporting decision-making and problem solving and translating corporate goals, to monitoring and controlling budgets and planning and goal setting for the future (among many other tasks!) General management and leadership online business courses can include:

Government /Public Sector

This industry sector spans federal, state or territory and local governments with varying responsibilities. The federal government is responsible for the conduct of national affairs, which can include trade, currency and commerce, defence and foreign affairs, air travel, immigration, postal services, telecommunications and broadcasting, and most social services and pensions.

Major State responsibilities include schools, public works, hospitals, roads, railways and public transport, conservation and environment, agriculture and fishing, community services, industrial relations, sport and recreation, consumer affairs, police, prisons and emergency services.

Local Councils are concerned with matters close to our homes, such as public health, building regulations and development, parks and playing fields, local roads and footpaths,  waste disposal, libraries, local environmental issues, and many other community services.

One of the benefits of online study is that you can choose courses on a range of subjects to suit your individual circumstances. So if the government sector is your preference, many of the above online business courses will greatly enhance your skills and employability.

Work Health and Safety

Sometimes called occupational health and safety, work health and safety (WHS) involves the management of risks to the health and safety of people in the workplace. This includes all employees as well as visitors, customers and suppliers. Some of the areas online business courses in WHS cover include:

According to the Labour Market Insights, the future growth of public administration and safety jobs is expected to be over 4.2 per cent by 2026.

9 Wellbeing Strategies That Work (For You & Your Clients)

We commonly associate mental health with what’s wrong – such as depression, anxiety and other illnesses. But those who understand wellness know that mental health is also about what’s going right. How long since your last mental health check-up? Because, as we’re now realising, mental health is just as critical as physical health to longevity. Here are nine wellbeing strategies that might help you (or your clients) live better!

  1. Build Connections

Relationships are vital to your mental health and wellbeing. This wellbeing strategy is the foundation that helps you get through the difficult times and to celebrate the happy moments in life. If you’ve lost some of your connections, whether with friends, family or colleagues, take the time to rebuild. You’ll enjoy a better state of mind and a more full, enjoyable life when you share it with others. If it’s difficult to find social avenues to connect with people, invest in a hobby or volunteer work that gets you into a positive social group – perhaps it’s book club or work with Meals on Wheels.

  1. Keep Learning

The lifeblood of personal development and growth – learning! When you keep your brain active, you’re mentally healthier and better prepared to take on new challenges. Learning new things also boosts your self-esteem and self-confidence. So, whether you want to learn to plant a garden, communicate with confidence or change your career, you’re doing your health good when you invest in your education. After all, education is one thing that no one can take away from you!

  1. Stay Active

Regular, planned exercise is a wellbeing strategy that will boost your mood, reduce stress, and even improve your sleep. The trick is to make it a habit. Habits are best (and most quickly adapted) when you do something every day at the same time. So, if getting up at 5 am for a 10km run isn’t your idea of a good time, don’t do it! Set a time of day when you feel most energetic, and your time is your own. You can learn more about the critical role of physical activity and movement in our wellbeing course.

  1. Give Generously

Generosity is a bit underrated (if you ask us), and it’s a shame because it’s so good for you. In fact, evidence suggests that during gift-giving, we secrete “feel good” chemicals in our brains, such as serotonin (a mood-mediating chemical), dopamine (a feel-good chemical) and oxytocin (a compassion and bonding chemical)! And just like exercise and a healthy diet, generosity may increase your lifespan, according to a study.

  1. Be Curious

Did you know that curious people are happier? Research is proving that being curious is linked with psychological, emotional, social and health benefits. One study shows that curiosity is associated with increased positive emotions, lower anxiety, greater satisfaction with life and better psychological wellbeing. Of course, maybe happier people are just more curious. Regardless, discovering something new does make us feel good – so it’s likely this relationship travels in both directions. So, get curious about life!

  1. Forgive/Make Amends

If you’re holding onto grudges, it’s time to let go. Research has shown that forgiveness is linked to better mental health outcomes, including reduced depression, anxiety and major psychiatric disorders. It’s also linked with fewer physical health symptoms and lower mortality rates! So, forgive those who’ve wronged you and make amends with those who feel wronged by you. It’ll make you a happier, healthier person.

  1. Embrace Nature

How much time do you spend out in nature? If you’re a city (or suburb) dweller, make time to travel into a forest now and then for your health’s sake. It turns out that spending at least 120 minutes a week in nature is associated with good health and wellbeing. In Japan, the nature as medicine exercise is called shinrin-yoku, also known as forest bathing, and its benefits are legendary. In fact, in Japan, over 40 decades of research into shinrin-yoku has led to it being prescribed by health professionals.

  1. Eat Healthily

Have you heard of “good mood foods”? They’re the foods that boost our energy, alertness and state of mind, but they’re not the type you might think. If you’re thinking stimulants – caffeine – or sugar- glucose hit – you’d be wrong. While these quick-fix choices might do the trick at the moment, you’ll pay for it down the track. Food (and drinks) have a significant impact on our wellbeing. So, what foods should we eat for better health and wellbeing? In a nutshell, fruits and vegetables, whole grains, lean meats, fish, eggs, dairy and lots of water are best. Curious for more? Learn about nutrition and mood foods in our wellbeing courses.

  1. Make Time for Mindfulness

If you have a health device, such as an Apple Watch, you’ll notice that you’re prompted throughout the day to be mindful. So, why does mindfulness matter as a wellbeing strategy? This ancient practice is about slowing down to be completely aware of what’s happening in the present. It means doing away with being on autopilot. Studies suggest mindfulness helps manage stress, cope with illness, and reduce anxiety and depression.

15 Fascinating Facts About Wellbeing

 Whether for your own knowledge or to entertainment your clients, we think these facts about health and wellbeing will fascinate and inform!

  1. Laughing is good for the heart and can increase blood flow by 20 per cent!
  2. You burn more calories sleeping than watching television
  3. You’re 1cm taller in the morning than in the evening
  4. Anxiety can make bad smells even worse
  5. Eating eggs improves your reflexes and intellectual performance – not unlike medical stimulants like Ritalin
  6. Chewing gum sharpens your focus
  7. Physically active pregnant women have smarter babies
  8. Oatmeal and coffee help ward off depression
  9. Bananas can boost your mood
  10. Gratitude can increase happiness by as much as 25 per cent
  11. Having a good social circle boosts your longevity by 50 per cent
  12. Dehydration negatively impacts mood, memory and brain performance
  13. Inactivity and excess sugar consumption is as bad as smoking for your health
  14. Just 10 minutes of daily exercise can save your health
  15. Brisk walking is nearly as healthy as running (the same distance) in lowering hypertension, diabetes and high cholesterol.

Why Study Health & Wellbeing?

If you’d like to improve your own health or your client’s wellbeing, consider our Certificate of Health and Wellbeing. You’ll learn about wellbeing strategies to boost physical, social, intellectual and emotional health and wellbeing to meet the demands of life. Whether for personal gain or to serve clients better through professional development, this course shows you how to optimise all areas of health and wellbeing.

 

Our online courses are an excellent way to test the waters before investing in further education. If you have any questions, contact one of our friendly Course Consultants via phone, Live Chat or email.

9 (Scientific) Ways to Improve Your Focus for Online Study

There are many benefits to online study, but with so many distractions at our digital fingertips these days (Facebook newsfeed, The Iconic sale) it can be hard to stay focused. As a result, finishing an online study course can take longer than it should.

So, how do you remain focused and graduate faster? The following 9 tips are scientifically proven ways to enhance your concentration and eliminate time-zapping distractions.

  1. Monotask

If you think people who multitask get more done, you’re mistaken. In fact, it’s one of the worst things you can do for your focus, concentration and productivity – so important for self-directed online study!

An online study into multitasking found that it can reduce IQ by as much as 15 points – leaving you with an average IQ of an 8-year-old child. That’s not going to be helpful for your academic performance in online study.

So, next time you’re writing an assignment while simultaneously checking Facebook and eating lunch, consider your inner 8-year-old, and whether they’ve got the smarts to pass your course.

  1. Meditate or Practise Mindfulness

You don’t have to be a master yogi to reap the benefits of meditating or practicing mindfulness.  If you regularly practice meditation techniques, you can improve your focus and clarity by altering your brain function, according to Italian neuroscientist Giuseppe Pagnoni.

In the study, Pagnoni found that mediation changes brain patterns and may improve focus and cognitive function.

So, next time you’re feeling particularly frazzled, sit quietly and practise some quick mindfulness exercises to regain focus on your online study.

  1. Make Lists

The simple act of planning has positive psychological effects, including enhanced focus, according to Dr Cynthia Green. List-making can boost your brain power and help you regain focus. Dr Green says list-making will focus your attention more actively on the information you need to remember and help you pay closer attention to it. So, start a to-do list for online study today, and you will ace that assignment in no time.

  1. Exercise

Let’s face it; there are many great reasons to exercise, both for physical and mental health benefits. But, in a study by the University of British Columbia, researchers found regular aerobic exercise, think heart pumping runs, appears to increase the size of the hippocampus, which is part of the brain responsible for memory and learning.

So, if you’re intent on improving your online study results it might be a good idea to improve your physical fitness too!

  1. Declutter Your Study

Scientists have found that clutter negatively affects your ability to focus. When your study area is untidy your brain will also feel messy, making study difficult. Research1 from brain scans prove that clutter in your environment has a direct impact on your ability to focus and concentrate. So, tidy up your study for improved online study.

  1. Take a Break

Constantly studying without taking breaks will result in mental fatigue. Even just taking a few minutes away from online study can help improve your focus and concentration, according to a University of Illinois study. The study found that the brain’s ability to focus drops after long periods of concentrating on a single task, decreasing our focus and performance.

  1. Eat Brain Foods

According to WebMD smart foods are those that improve brain function and cognition. So, if you want to enhance your focus to study smarter, eat more of the following:

Wild Salmon

Rich in omega 3 fatty acids, essential for brain function.

Blueberries

High in antioxidants, one cup a day keeps oxidative stress away.

Nuts/Seeds

High in vitamin E, associated with reduced cognitive decline.

Avocado

Contains monounsaturated fat, which contributes to healthy blood flow and as a result, healthy brain.

Whole-grains

Foods such as oatmeal, whole-grain breads and brown rice are high in fibre, vitamin E and omega-3s, which improve cardiovascular health and blood flow.

Beans

Lentils and black beans stabiles glucose (blood sugar), which the brain uses as fuel.

Pomegranate

A fruit that’s high in potent antioxidants, which protect the brain from the damage of free radicals.

Fresh Brewed Tea

Contains a modest caffeine content to enhance memory, focus, and mood. Tea, especially green tea, has potent antioxidants, that promote healthy blood flow.

Dark Chocolate

High in powerful antioxidant properties, contains natural stimulants, like caffeine, which enhance focus and concentration, and stimulates the production of endorphins, which helps improve mood.

  1. Chew Gum

Research suggests that simply chewing gum may improve brain function, making you more alert, enhancing your mood and reducing stress. So, next time you’re taking a test for online study don’t forget your chewing gum. It can also help you stay focused on a task for longer.

  1. Get Adequate Sleep

Research shows that getting enough sleep is essential for maintaining attention and the ability to learn new information. If you’re sleep deprived, you can’t focus on large amounts of information over long periods – important for online study, or any kind of study! So, make sure you’re getting your eight hours – or however much sleep you require for optimal function, both physically and mentally.

Hopefully these 9 tips will give you the edge to succeed in your online study by improving your ability to focus, concentrate and self-motivate. Online study can be challenging, so make sure you give yourself the best chance of success to pass your subjects and graduate with a certificate of professional development.

Australian Online Courses

Australian Online Courses offers a comprehensive array of professional development courses, developed in consultation with industry experts to give you the skills and knowledge to pursue new roles or enhance your C.V for career advancement.

Our flexible study timeframes, affordable prices and unmatched customer support are at the heart of what we do. A state-of-the-art eLearning platform means you can study anywhere, anytime.

To find out more, or to enrol in an online study course, call one of our friendly Learning Consultants today on 1300 762 221.

Time for a Change? Take Quick Career Quiz!

Considering that we spend a third of our lives at work, it’s not surprising that an unfulfilling career can lead to feelings of hopelessness, overwhelm, resentment, and even debilitating depression and anxiety. This blog aims to shed light on the signs that indicate you’re ready for a career change, a topic that could potentially transform your life, and provides a fun career quiz!

Yet, as creatures of habit, we must summon a truckload of motivation and enthusiasm to change careers. Perhaps your career path is on track, but you want to advance your skills, apply for a promotion, or move into a different department. This may be enough to renew your passion for what you do. Or maybe you’re one of many who absolutely need to head in a completely different direction right now!

Identifying with one or more of the following ‘signs’ is probably a good indication that it’s time to find a new career. Recognising you’re ready for change can be liberating, empowering you to take control of your career path.

  1. Lack of passion

While the initial excitement of any job wears off somewhat, if you have no enthusiasm left for your career, that’s a sign it’s not a good fit for you. So, it’s time for a change if your work life is always an obligation rather than a fulfilling activity.

  1. Feeling fatigued

Getting out of bed in the morning leaves you feeling exhausted. You muster all your strength to drag yourself into work. It’s more than Monday blues. It’s feeling tired almost every day at the thought of the workday ahead. If you experience this exhaustion, your work isn’t for you, and it’s time to change.

  1. Your skills/interests have changed

Over time, your skills have evolved, and your interests have changed. If you find yourself drawn to new fields or have acquired skills that don’t match your current role, it is probably an indication that you’re ready to move on to something new.

  1. Lack of direction

If no professional development or training is on the horizon, you most likely feel stuck. A lack of opportunity or advancement in your career can lead to frustration and demotivation. A career change can offer you a fresh start and exciting new opportunities for growth that are no longer possible in your current role, sparking a sense of hope and optimism.

  1. You’re irritable

If you’re irritable with work colleagues or your bad mood infiltrates your home life, it indicates that you’re ready for a change. Finding a job that feels significant and aligns with your values will lead to greater job satisfaction, feelings of accomplishment and better mental health.

  1. You have situation (at the workplace) depression

If your weekends can’t come quickly enough, but you’re tired and depressed at work, blame situational depression. It’s as though you’re asleep until Friday afternoon and suddenly come alive. But come Sunday night, the dread descends in anticipation of the work week ahead. It’s called situational depression, and a career change is a must to protect your mental health and relationships.

  1. You have anxiety

A bit of stress is healthy, as it motivates you to push through challenging work tasks. But it’s time for a change if you have a mountain of negative thoughts that threaten to overwhelm you at work and feel stressed when you think about work.

  1. Your work environment is toxic

A negative or toxic company culture significantly affects your emotional, mental and physical well-being. If efforts to improve your situation at work have failed, moving to a healthier, more positive, supportive workplace might be necessary.

pexels george milton 6953985

Is it time for a career change? Take a quick quiz!

 

Quick & Easy Career Quiz

Take this quick and easy career quiz to get you thinking about your preferences and strengths. It’s a fun starting point for exploring potential career paths!

What do you enjoy doing in your free time?

  1. Building or fixing things
  2. Reading and researching
  3. Creating art or music
  4. Helping people with their problems

 Which of these activities would you prefer?

  1. Organising an event
  2. Conducting experiments
  3. Designing a website or poster
  4. Volunteering at a local charity

 Which of these subjects did you enjoy the most in school?

  1. Technology and Engineering
  2. Science and Mathematics
  3. Arts and Humanities
  4. Social Sciences

 What work environment do you prefer?

  1. Hands-on and active
  2. Quiet and full of data
  3. Creative and dynamic
  4. Collaborative and community-oriented

 How do you handle tasks?

  1. I like to plan and execute in detail.
  2. I enjoy solving complex problems.
  3. I prefer tasks that allow for self-expression.
  4. I thrive on tasks that help others and make a difference.

If you could start your own business, it would be

  1. A tech or construction company
  2. A research or consulting firm
  3. An art studio or creative agency
  4. A non-profit or community service organisation

 

Career Quiz Results:

If you got mostly A’s, you might excel in technical and practical careers such as engineering, carpentry, IT, or architecture. You could explore technical courses or apprenticeships that allow hands-on work.

If you got mostly B’s, analytical and investigative careers such as science, research, finance, or data analysis might be a great fit for you. To start your journey, consider looking into specialised courses in your area of interest.

If you got mostly C’s, you could find your path in creative and artistic careers such as the arts, design, writing, or music. Developing your creative skills through courses or self-taught practices could open many doors.

If you got mostly D’s, social and helping careers such as teaching, counselling, social work, or healthcare might be a fulfilling option for you. professional development in these areas can provide the qualifications you need to succeed.

 

Please note that this career quiz is a quick and fun way to consider your general preferences and potential career paths. However, it’s not an in-depth analysis that matches your skills, interests, and values. For a more thorough exploration of your options, seek guidance from a career counsellor and take advantage of professional development opportunities. You can also take the Career Change Readiness Test for a reliable indication of your readiness to change your career.

If you’re concerned about juggling study with your busy schedule, you can talk to one of our Course Counsellors for advice. We offer flexible study options, unbeatable prices, and unparalleled student support that won’t disappoint.

Our comprehensive courses are developed in consultation with industry experts, so you can be confident that you’ll acquire the skills and knowledge required to excel in your current job, pursue new roles, or achieve your career dreams. our state-of-the-art eLearning platform allows you to study wherever and whenever you want.

So, don’t delay; enrol today and gain the skills and confidence you need to make a career change.

Find your new direction today!

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