Studying remotely has many advantages, including being able to study even if your life is busy.
But, to be successful, certain challenges have to be overcome.
How to study remotely with success
Challenge no. 1: Preparation
Good computer equipment
Your computer and Internet access will be your faithful companions throughout your studies. They will allow you to access the teaching platform, save documents, carry out your research and draft your work, attend virtual classes and be in contact with your professors and lecturers, assistants and the other students in the class.
What are the hardware and software needs/requirements?
- Preferably a laptop or PC. Tablets and other mobile devices are not suitable for the tasks required but can be used as auxiliary tools.
- Windows (7, 8 or 10), Mac or Linux. Preferably Windows or Mac because Linux does not offer all the software you will need.
- Latest version of Chrome, Firefox, Internet Explorer, Edge or Mac browsers. Preferably Chrome or Firefox, as some tools do not work in IE/Edge
- An e-mail address, which is your main communication tool with your professors and lecturers and assistants as well as the student managers or management at UniDistance Suisse.
What computer skills do you need to master?
- Basic knowledge of Microsoft Windows, Apple or Linux products
- Basic knowledge of an Office suite (MS Office, LibreOffice, etc.)
- Basic knowledge of the Internet (searching, browsing, etc.)
- Knowledge to install applications and software specific to your field of study
Excellent linguistic knowledge
To succeed in your studies, it is better if you have a perfect command of spoken and written French or German (depending on the programme you have chosen) and a good knowledge of English. Indeed, you will have to understand and write complex texts which, depending on the modules, will be in English.
Our psychology courses sometimes include publications in English.
As for our courses in mathematics and artificial intelligence, they are taught in English.
Challenge no. 2: Your organisation
To be successful in your course, you will need to devote time to it. The structure of our programmes and the number of ECTS credits per module will require 20 to 25 hours of work per week, depending on your prior knowledge and aptitude.
Therefore, it is important to plan how you will organise yourself to free up this time, between your work and your family life, between competitions, etc.
Is it better for you to take your classes a few nights a week? Or at weekends? Or when the children are at school? Or to take advantage of the many trips you take?
If you have a partner, make arrangements with that person for him/her to take on certain tasks so that you can study.
To be successful in the long term, it will be important to keep to your organisation and your structure. That way, you will be able to move forward calmly and reach the end of your course without even realising it.
Challenge no. 3: Your motivation over the long term
It is easy to be discouraged when you embark on a long course of study. To stay motivated, do not lose sight of your goal, which is your degree.
Our blog gives you many tips to boost your motivation.
Take a look at this article:
in French - 6 astuces infaillibles pour booster votre motivation
in German - 6 Motivationsbooster, die Sie unbedingt ausprobieren sollten
Challenge no. 4: Your finances
When you study, you invest in your future. At UniDistance Suisse, you pay for your bachelor's or master's as you go: you receive an invoice at the start of each new semester, for the semester in question.
If you follow a bachelor's degree, you will pay CHF 1,300 every six months, i.e. CHF 2,600 per year. A master's will cost you CHF 1,400 to CHF 2,000 every six months.
On the other hand, you will pay for your continuing education, such as a Certificate of Advanced Studies, all at once, at the start of the programme. Our continuing education courses cost between CHF 1,600 and 7,000.