What A Career As An Individual Support Carer Looks Like

As an Individual Support Carer, your primary role will be to aid individuals within health and social care settings.Support Care Workers make up a large percentage of the health care workforce, being an invaluable part of teams providing care for those in need.

But what exactly does a career in Individual Support look like?

Place of Work

There’s no ‘set’ place of work for a Support Carer, and each day could offer a different working environment. Some days, you may be visiting members of the community in their own homes on other days you could be working in differing care settings. For some Support Workers, their place of work is in a care home, a mental health clinic, a school, a hospital or in supported housing developments.

Patients

There’s no universal patient for a Support Worker, and often Carers will work with a variety of patients. For example, a Support Carer may work closely with disabled individuals who need help carrying out their day-to-day duties, while others may be providing much-needed support to family members. 

Skills

It takes a certain kind of person to not only be a Support Carer but to thrive in a caregiving environment. A few essential skills are:

• Empathy ~ the ability to empathise with, and understand the unique situations of your patience is incredibly important.

• Patience ~ the job of a Support Carer is to be there for their patients and to let them know that they are heard and understood, especially during difficult and distressing situations.

• Organisation ~ being able to prioritise and organise your schedule is invaluable, especially for those working in a mobile role and needing to visit multiple patients daily.

• Caring ~ this one should go without saying, but having a kind, compassionate and caring nature is essential for the success of a Support Carer as patients need to feel safe and understood in your care.

The Day-to-Day

With each day taking its own shape, and no two being the same, a day in the life of a Support Worker is varied. Duties can include:

• Interviewing and assessing the needs of new clients and family members

• Reporting on assessments 

• Monitoring the health of clients and their medical conditions

• Performing recreational activities with clients

• Maintaining and updating client records

• Providing support and companionship

• Participating in training to further your skills and knowledge

• Supporting clients in their daily activities and tasks, such as cleaning, washing, eating and general mobility.

While the life of a Support Care Worker has its many challenges, it offers an incredibly rewarding career with diverse career paths and a sense of purpose.

If you’re interested in studying to be a Support Care Worker Stirling Institute, you can contact us directly at this email address, or contact us here.

What Makes Studying At Stirling Institute So Rewarding?

As a student in Melbourne, you’re spoilt for choice when it comes to academic institutions, and here at Stirling Institute, we pride ourselves on being amongst the best for post-graduate academic studies.

Our Locations

It’s hard to beat the world’s second ~ formally first ~ most liveable city. With locations across Melbourne, our campuses are on the doorstep of some of the best cafes, libraries, entertainment venues and views that Australia has to offer. With incredibly accessible public transport, our locations are easy to reach by tram or train whether you attend our Southbank or Scoresby campus. Other locations include Ringwood, Fawkner, Dandenong, St. Albans, Echuca, Shepperton and Williams Landing.

Our Teachers

Our faculty are highly trained educators with a passion for teaching and an incredible ability to cater to our students’ needs. At Stirling Institute, our vision is to be known as one of Australia’s best education and training providers, and our educators are committed to excellence and delivering high-quality education achieved through actively tailoring our training for people from diverse backgrounds. At Stirling Institute, we’re proud to say that we champion diversity and encourage all too apply for our courses.

Our Misson

Our mission is simple. We aim to empower our students ~ and wider organisations ~ to realise their potential and maximise their capacities. We focus our efforts on encouraging all students to identify and achieve their aspirations tough the investment in our people and courses to support real employment outcomes. Our highest priority of all is uncompromising safety. We provide an environment where children and adults are safe and their voices are heard.

Our Work Placements

One of our most celebrated achievements is the relationships we’ve built with workplaces and organisations across Melbourne. Because of these relationships, we’re able to offer our students high-quality and industry-relevant work placements for a range of career pathways including horticulture, aged care, allied health, individual care and business.

Your Career Opportunities

Thorugh some of the best work placements available, in conjunction with our highly skilled educators, you will gain skills that dramatically increase not only your employability but will equip you with the practical knowledge to succeed. We believe that our training sets us apart, and our students are proof of that.

If you’re interested in learning more about studying at Stirling Institute, you can contact us directly at this email address, or contact us here.

Five Ways To Research More Effectively And Efficiently

Whether you love it or hate it, research is a fundamental part of education, from your early school days through to any further education you may undertake.

Some find the prospect of research daunting, largely due to the perceived enormity of the task but, luckily for them, there are ways to make research more efficient and effective without wasting hours. 

1. Create a Research Plan

An important first step of any undertaking is to go into it with a clear plan. Without a plan in place, it’s easy to let the hours roll by without any reference point for how much should have been accomplished. 

To create your plan, break down your research into achievable steps and set aside time for each part of the plan. From this, you should be able to determine how long the total research portion of your study should take.

1. Set a Schedule

Once your plan has been created, determine the deadlines needed for your research and tasks. Once you have this, divide your research into small chunks of time and stick to the,. If you find yourself going well over your allocated time, perhaps your research plan needs slight adjustments. 

An example would be to break your research into time slots, such as allocating a full day to each topic, or breaking a topic into smaller hourly time slots. 

It’s also important to allow extra time for checking your sources and organising any research material you may need.

1. Focussed Research and Reading 

A key component of any research project is selecting the best sources, as it would not be possible to read every book, paper or article on a particular subject. 

A good method is to skim read a few relevant sources and choose the few that offer the most informative research. We also suggest thoroughly checking the references given in sources.

1. Take Notes Effectively 

Note Taking is a skill in itself, and effective research relies heavily on strong and effective note taking skills. It may seem as simple as writing down your learnings, but you’ll need to ensure that your notes are easily understood in a week or a month. 

Practice striking a key balance between speed and accuracy by using shorthand and common abbreviations, summarising key passages and making thorough notes of author names and sources for later reference.

1. Organisation is Key

The final piece of the puzzle is great organisation. Once you’ve written your study notes, spent hours coding them and making notes of all sources, the next step is to create an efficient filing system and stick to it. We recommend using coloured labels and folders, organising your notes alphabetically or by topic and labeling digital folders accurately. 

It’s also essential that your research space - be it in your home study or a library - is tidy and organised to help you avoid distractions. 

Five Desk Stretches

For some, studying from home is usually done from the dining table, kitchen counter or even the bed - though we definitely don’t recommend the bed for study. As a result, you may be suffering a strain in your shoulders, neck or back after a long day of study.

To help ease your muscles, we’re sharing our five favourite desk stretches to help alleviate the stress your muscles are facing, and help boost your productivity.

1. Spinal Rotation

• While seated, cross your arms over your chest.

• Grab your shoulders.

• Rotate your upper body from the waist, turning gently from left to right as far as you can.

• You should feel tension on both sides of your lower back as it stretches out.

2. Shoulder Stretch

• Hold one arm across your body.

• Pull your elbow into your chest.

• You should feel your shoulder gently stretching.

3. Upper Shoulder and Neck Stretch

• Sit on one hand.

• Tilt your head away from the hand you’re sitting on.

• Tilt your head slightly forward, towards your shoulder.

• You should feel the muscles in your neck and shoulder being stretched.

• Change sides, and repeat.

4. Neck Rotations

• Keep your head upright.

• Gently turn your head from side to side.

• As you turn your head, try to move it past your shoulder.

• You should feel the muscles on the outside of your neck gradually stretching.

5. Back Extensions

• Sit straight with your feet together.

• Put the palms of your hands into the small of your back.

• Lean back over your hands, feeling your lower back stretch out.

To help ease the muscular strain from sitting for long periods of time, focus on your posture while seated at a desk. Ensure that your hips are above your knees, that your back is against your seat and that your shoulders are relaxed. It’s also important to ensure that the items on your desk are within reach to ensure you aren’t reaching across and putting added strain on your lower back. 

Role Of Aged Care Workers

One of the most important roles in the Allied Health industry is that of Aged Care workers. With job opportunities in Aged Care expected to increase by 25.4% over the next 5 years - and an estimated 179,000 open positions - the industry is booming like no other.

With that said, what exactly is the role of an Aged Care worker?

Aged Care workers are tasked with arranging and facilitating activities designed to enhance different kinds of wellbeing, for example social, physical and emotional. Aged Care workers ensure their clients are properly cared for, happy and well connected.

However, there are many different positions in the industry which cater to the many different personalities and skills of workers. For example, there are careers in frontline support, admin, HR and catering, as well as corporate and managerial roles.

Tasks and Responsibilities May Include:

• Feeding, showering, dressing and administering medications.

• Preparing meals and drinks.

• Tidying and cleaning, including sanitising activities.

• Engaging with family members to offer observations, instructions and updates.

• Assisting with mobility, providing transport to and from medical appointment and light physiotherapy exercises.

• Providing social support, such as escorting the client on outings to cafes, shops and going on excursions.

• Following health and safety guidelines.

In order to succeed in a career in Aged Care, there are several skills required. These include:

• A caring and supportive attitude 

• Good communication skills

• Patience and discretion

• Physical fitness

• A positive outlook

• A high level of professionalism

• Natural empathy towards the elderly and disabled

A career in Aged Care is more than just a ‘job’ to many. It’s an opportunity to work closely with people from all walks of life and bring genuine joy to someone’s day. It offers you the chance to enhance somebody’s life, whether that’s by caring for them in their own home or a residential care facility and providing them with the highest possible quality of care.

We can help bring your dream of a career in Aged Care to life. 

Learn more about our Certificate III in Individual Support – Ageing (CHC33015) here, or contact us directly via email.

How To Create A Work From Home Routine That Supports Your Studies

One of the many perks to studying - and working - from home is the flexibility when it comes to managing your daily schedule and your time. However, when you’re planning your daily schedule around studying and time efficiency, it’s important to implement a work-from-home schedule that supports your studies.

So just how do you plan your routine?

Create a Study Space

Allocating a specific area of your house helps to create a working environment. While it can be tempting to study from your bed or from the sofa, these spaces are often more associated with relaxation. Therefore, a dedicated study area helps you to mentally stay focussed on the tasks at hand.

Plan Your Day

Taking 5-10 minutes from your morning to review your daily tasks and plan your day accordingly can help you to stay focussed and add structure to your day. It is also helpful to plan your biggest daily study sessions for when you know you’ll have the most energy. For some, that may be in the morning, while for others the afternoon is more productive.

Take Breaks

Intense and prolonged periods of study can quickly lead to mental burnout, and for this reason, it’s important to allow yourself regular study breaks. An example could be 45 minutes of intense, focussed study followed by 15 minutes of rest.

Get Outdoors

Allowing yourself 20-30 minutes of fresh air is essential for a clear and focussed mind, while Vitamin D is known to have the added benefit of helping to boost your immunity and reduce stress. 

Attempt a Digital Detox in the Evenings

While technology is wonderful for keeping us connected to our friends and family, it can make it hard to switch off in the evenings and separate study and home life. Taking time off in the evenings can help you to recharge and have a deeper and more restful sleep.  

Studying In Teams Via Correspondence

STUDYING IN TEAMS VIA CORRESPONDENCE

A recent challenge faced by students on a global scale is tackling not only remote study but also remote study in a team environment. Studying in a group has many well-documented benefits, such as reduced procrastination, increased interpersonal skills, faster learning and exposure to new perspectives. 

With this in mind, it’s essential for students to remain active in study groups while studying remotely from home. Below we’ve listed our favourite tools for studying via correspondence.

Slack

Between all the available apps and messaging platforms, team communication can quickly become messy.

Using Slack to create a cohesive team chat is a great way to house all your team communications, along with documents such as study materials and notes.

Zoom

Video conferencing apps, such as Zoom, allow many users to join a shared video call. One of the many benefits of Zoom is its interface, which highlights the main speaker at any given time making it easier to share ideas amongst the team.

Google Drive

Google Drive is a free cloud-based platform, allowing users to store documents, spreadsheets and slide presentations and share them with selected individuals. Incredibly useful for sharing with team members, it also allows live editing; enabling multiple team members to make and add notes simultaneously.

Todoist

With several available options for planning a task list, Todist is our favourite for its ease of use and accessibility. Available as a standalone web app as well as a Chrome plugin, Todoist makes planning and managing your tasks easy and effective.

Evernote

Perfect for online note taking, Evernote allows users to create notes, which can be text, drawings, photographs, or saved web content, which is ideal for when you need to create and reference study notes.

With many online applications to choose from, it’s worth looking into which will be most effective for you in your particular team environment. 

If you have others to add that students may find helpful, we’d love you to leave your thoughts in the comment box below.

5 Ways To Boost Your Immune System

Maintaining a healthy immune system should always be a priority, but it’s more important than ever in the face of the current Coronavirus pandemic. Your immune system is made up of cells in your skin, blood, bone marrow, tissues, and organs that protect your body against potentially harmful pathogens - such as viruses. 

Our 5 favourite ways to boost your immunity include:

1.    Head Outside for a Walk

Regular low impact exercises help protect against head colds and boost your immune system and are known to lower your risk of developing chronic diseases (such as obesity, type 2 diabetes, and heart disease).

Exercise also releases endorphins, which is great for managing and reducing stress levels.

2.    Eat a Balanced Diet

Ensuring your diet comprises of plenty of fruits, vegetables, whole grains and protein-rich foods is essential for keeping your immune system functioning properly. Research suggests that adding Vitamin C to your diet - a vitamin that our bodies do not naturally produce - is effective in decreasing the likelihood of illnesses. 

To fully support your immune health, focus on a diet rich in plants and plant-based foods. Examples are soups, stews, smoothies and salads.

3.    Effectively Manage Stress Levels

High levels of stress increase your body’s cortisol levels which have a negative effect on your immune system. In everyday life, small doses of cortisol have a beneficial effect on your body by preventing your immune system from responding before the stressful event is over (for example, exercise), which allows your body to respond to the immediate stressor.
However, when cortisol is elevated for long periods of time, it essentially blocks the immune system from kicking into gear to protect the body against germs. Bacteria and viruses.

4.    Set a Regular Sleep Schedule

New studies suggest that 7-9 hours of restful sleep allows the immune system to restore itself. When you don’t get enough sleep, your immune system isn’t able to produce essential immune cells, such as cytokines (a protein that can fight or promote inflammation). This leads to your body being less able to defend itself from germs, bacteria and viruses, and increases your likelihood of illness. 

Sleep deprivation also increases your cortisol levels (the stress hormone) which as we’ve learnt, is not good for your immune system.

5.    Drink Plenty of Water

Drinking enough water is incredibly important, as it aids digestion and prevents pathogens from entering the body. Keeping hydrated helps your body naturally eliminate toxins and bacteria that cause illness, and help to keeps immunity high. It’s recommended that you drink 2.1 - 2.6 litres of water per day.

Green Smoothie Recipe

GREEN SMOOTHIE RECIPE

Packed full of nutrient-dense ingredients, our favourite green smoothie is perfect for boosting your immunity and helping prevent illness. 

A great source of Vitamins A, C, K and B6, along with calcium, potassium, manganese and folate, adding this smoothie to your morning routine is the perfect healthy start to your day.

Ingredients: 

1 Cup of Spinach or Kale roughly chopped 

1 1/2 Cups of Unsweetened Almond Milk 

1 Cup Frozen Mango Chunks 

1 Teaspoon of Almond 

1/2 Teaspoon Freshly Grated Ginger 

1/2 Teaspoon Lemon Juice 

Method: 

Simply add all ingredients to a high powered blender and blend for 40 seconds until thick and creamy.  Serve in a glass and enjoy!

We’d love to see your smoothies ~ tag us in your pictures on Instagram @sia.edu.au 

Photo Credit: Pinterest.Com

HOW TO CREATE A HEALTHY WORK FROM HOME ROUTINE

For some, working from home is an already established part of their daily routines. For others, it’s something that they’re needing to rapidly adapt to in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic.

We’re sharing 5 tips to make working from home easier, more focussed and highly productive.

Create a dedicated workspace

It’s easy to find yourself working from the couch, or from your bed when you first begin remote working. In the long run, this leads to poor posture, lack of focus and distractions.

Creating a functioning working environment in your home - within a spare room or at the dining table - allows you to have an area dedicated to work. This makes it easier to ‘leave work’ at the end of the day.

Get dressed

Creating a morning routine - similar to your usual workday routine - will help keep your working ay on track. Shower and dress as if you were going to work. Maintaining this routine will help you remain productive, and will lessen the chances that you find yourself working from bed, in your pyjamas.

Don’t work through lunch

In the same way that you’d utilise your lunch break at the office foie fresh air or to stretch your legs, giving yourself a dedicated lunch break when working from home is essential for keeping your productivity levels high, and your mental focus sharp.

Complete your shutdown ritual

At the end of each working day, take some time to practice a ‘shut down’ ritual. These are steps taken that, when done each day, help to form a routine, set boundaries, and effectively end your working day.

Some ideas are:

• Ensure your inbox is cleared

• Closed your email

• Review your next day’s tasks

• Set three big tasks for the following day to be completed

• Shut down your computer

Take short breaks

Getting up to stretch every 20-30 minutes is essential for maintaining a focus and keeping your mind fresh and active. Too many consecutive hours in front of your screen can lead to waning energy, headaches and a lack of productivity.

We’d love to know if you found these tips useful, and if you have any that you’d like to add, feel free to do so in the comment box below.

How To Work More Collaboratively In Teams

HOW TO WORK MORE COLLABORATIVELY IN TEAMS

No matter which career path you choose, it’s highly likely that you will need to work in a team environment for some, if not most, of your job. Working in teams - big or small - requires a skill set that most learn on the job.

Studies have shown that collaborative teams are overall more productive than teams where each member works in isolation, and collaboration has the added benefit of establishing and building trust.

Here are four tips to help get you started on working collaboratively in team environments.

Capitalise on strengths

Each member of your team, yourself included, will have unique strengths and weaknesses. Knowing how your strengths can work in collaboration to compliment another members’ strengths will help you understand the team dynamic and work more effectively together.

Encourage new ideas

For some, being a part of a wider team can be daunting, especially if they have trouble expressing their ideas and speaking up. Encouraging each member to offer an idea, solution or desired outcome ensures that each person’s unique viewpoint is heard.

Establish metrics

Working together towards a shared goal can sometimes be easier said than done. Setting expectations early through key metrics is important to hold each member of the team accountable and maintain transparency. To create a balanced system, performance metrics should be based on how well each person works, and their strengths, and should be evenly distributed amongst the wider team.

Celebrate collaboration

Maintaining momentum and motivation can be a challenge, especially with a larger team. Taking the time to highlight positive collaboration or the achievement of team goals goes a long way in strengthening the team. Simple ways to celebrate key moments are through team emails or making a point of shining a light on the person or task at a team meeting.

Next time you’re in a team environment, take a moment to implement some - if not all - of these tips for collaboration success. Following the right approach, and listening to feedback is a great path to long term results and success. 

The Importance Of Exercising When Studying

THE IMPORTANCE OF EXERCISING WHEN STUDYING

Regular exercise, be it short walks, resistance training, running or yoga, has been shown to increase brain function through the release of a protein called FNDC5. This protein produces a secondary protein, known as ‘brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), which prompts your body to grow new nerves and helps existing brain cells to survive. 

All of this to say, when you exercise, it quite literally makes your brain stronger.

Other benefits of exercise for study include:

Improved concentration

According to research, when you perform exercise in as little as 20 minutes before studying - or during your study break - it results in a boost in concentration. Activities such as running and brisk walking can promote increased blood circulation, in turn increasing blood flow to the brain, and as a result increasing focus.

Enhanced memory

The protein produced through exercise is responsible for memory retention. It’s important to note that the intensity of exercise also plays a part, with more intensive exercises leading to increased levels of epinephrine, dopamine and BDNF levels.  

Increased productivity

Exercise, even when performed for short periods of time, has been found to facilitate improved productivity and motivation. A reason being that exercise increases blood flow, loosens muscles and relieves frustrations, which in turn frees up headspace for tasks to be completed.

Better quality of sleep

When exercise is neglected, it can lead to hypertension, obesity, depression and low academic performance. Integrating exercise into your daily routine has been shown to increase the discharge of melatonin, a hormone that manages sleep and alertness. It also has a positive effect on anxiety, stress, hypertension and depression - all of which can negatively impact sleep quality.

Reduced stress

Exercises such as yoga have been shown to stabilise blood pressure and regulate your heart rate, which works to reduce stress. Yoga works specifically to relax muscles which have been tightened due to stress and poor posture. Short breaks of yoga, or desk yoga, between study can help to reduce overall stress and increase academic performance. 

For better academic performance, ensure you schedule regular exercise into your daily routine, and allow for short study breaks of yoga or stretching.

Four Ways To Manage Time More Efficiently

FOUR WAYS TO MANAGE TIME MORE EFFICIENTLY

One of the key elements of successful study is effective time management, which becomes increasingly harder as you begin to juggle more in life - such as studies, work and family responsibilities. 

Good time management has many benefits across both your personal and professional life, and plays an important role in creating and maintaining a healthy balanced lifestyle.

Here are four of our favourite time management techniques:

Create a “to-do” list

If there is one technique for time management that definitely does not work, it’s going in blind and without a plan. Creating a to-do list helps you visualise the tasks at hand, and helps you prioritise those tasks, which in turn streamlines your planning process for better time management.

Budget your time

It’s not enough to simply know which tasks you need complete; you now need to allocate time for each task. Knowing the estimated - or allocated - time for each task helps you to better plan your study schedule. Remember to include some time in your schedule for relaxation or study breaks. 

Focus on your long term goals

Setting your sights on big goals can be incredibly motivating when you look at the bigger picture, and you may find that in the midst of study sessions, when your focus is on smaller, more particular tasks, you may lose motivation. Knowing and understanding your long term goals, And taking time to reflect upon them, is an effective way to successfully accomplish your short term goals. 

Find a dedicated study or work area

Setting up an effective study or work area, away from distractions, is essential for effective time management. Working through your tasks to be completed, in the amount of time allocated, can quickly be derailed where there are distractions. 

Instead, create a quiet area free from your phone to complete your study or work. If you don’t have a suitable area at home, you can venture to your local library or cafe.

The Power Of A Study Schedule

When it comes to studying, it’s important to have a plan in place that acts as a guideline for how long you should be studying, what you should be studying and which topics you need to cover in the alloted time.

Without a schedule, it’s easy to spend too much time on one subject and neglect another, or even overlook key study topics.

Here are our top tips for creating and maintaining a healthy and effective schedule.

CREATE A BALANCED SCHEDULE

While it’s important to plan out your studies, it’s equally as important not to neglect allowing yourself time for lunch, for short breaks and for personal errands that may arise.

ALLOW ADEQUATE TIME

Ensure that you’ve allocated enough time for each subject. It’s highly likely that one topic or subject may require more time investment than others, and it’s important to plan for this.

CREATE CONSISTENCY

Studying at set times, and in set locations, can assist with creating a sense of routine in your study. Routine is important as it reduces time wasted in making decisions on where to study or deciding which materials are needed.

STUDY AS SOON AFTER CLASS AS POSSIBLE

The saying goes ‘strike while the iron’s hot’ for a reason. Studying as soon after class as possible helps to solidify your knowledge and allows you time to research and fill in any gaps you may have. Simply rewriting notes helps to transfer memories from short term to long term.

KEEP CAREFULLY ORGANISED NOTES

When studying, you’ll soon realise the importance of organised and detailed notes, as they will make your study a lot easier, and will save time retracing or relearning a subject. 

Creating a schedule, and sticking to it, is a vital element of the ultimate success of your studying. It also allows you to fully utilise your time, resources and knowledge for the desired outcome.

Career Paths You Can Take After Studying A Certificate III In Horticulture

CAREER PATHS YOU CAN TAKE AFTER STUDYING A CERTIFICATE III IN HORTICULTURE

Have you considered a hands on career, with the option to work in the fresh air that incorporates creativity and science? Studying horticulture could be for you. In a broad, progressive ever-expanding industry, horticulture offers a number of challenging roles with plenty of room for personal and career growth.

Discover some of the most rewarding career paths horticulture has to offer.

HORTICULTURAL TECHNICIAN

As a horticultural technician, you’ll be responsible for planting, nurturing and maintaining plant life in a wide variety of industries, including food, medicine, educational and decorative. You may also play a role in diagnosing and treating plant diseases.

LANDSCAPE DESIGNER

Using your skills to combine landscape and horticulture, you’ll create gardens that aspire to aesthetic objectives whilst also ensuring that the landscape has the correct soils, plants and maintenance to thrive long-term. Your clients could range from corporations, to governments or even private clients.

BUSINESS MANAGEMENT

With a Certificate III in Horticulture, you might wish to flex your entrepreneurial muscle, and branch into a sector of business that pulls from your horticulture skills and know-how. Examples include setting up a farm, opening a nursery or establishing your own landscaping practice. 

PLANT PATHOLOGIST

If you’re not interested in working outdoors, plant pathology may be an ideal career path for you. As a plant pathologist, you’ll conduct experiments and tests to determine the diseases and their characteristics that may be a threat to plants.

You may also develop new strains of plants that are disease-resistant and contribute to society through the avenue of food production.

PEST MANAGEMENT

Experience in horticulture is the ideal introduction to a career in pest management. With a thorough understanding of horticulture and plant mechanics, you will be able to assist farm and garden owners to protect their flora from pests. 

If you are interested in learning more about our Certificate III in Horticulture (AHC30716), contact us on info@sia.edu.au or call us directly on 1300 790 265.

Four Places To Study In Melbourne

FOUR PLACES TO STUDY IN MELBOURNE

When it comes to studying, Melbourne offers a rich variety of study locations that are not only conducive to learning, but are also free for public use. Whether you’re after a quiet spot nestled amongst books, or a lively spot surrounded by hustle and bustle, we’ve listed four of our favourites below.

The State Library of Victoria

Melbourne’s State Library has is our favourite study spot, with many levels and desk options. From open plan desks to private desks, you’re bound to find the right study spot.

To top it off, if you’re stumped on a subject or need extra study material, you’re in one of the best libraries Melbourne has to offer, so you’ll be bound to find the book you’re after.

Something to note though, is that the library opens from 10am - 9pm Monday - Thursday, and until 6pm on Fridays and weekends.

Melbourne Museum 

If you enjoy studying with a side of creative inspiration, the Melbourne Museum is your go-to. Open daily from 10am-5pm, you’ll find yourself surrounded by beautiful works of art and fascinating exhibits, which lend themselves to a inspiring study session.

Melbourne Central and Emporium Concourse

Located in the walkway connecting Melbourne Central to the Emporium, this study area is a favourite with students. Offering recently updated facilities, such as wireless charging pads, and large bright windows overlooking the city, you’ll be surrounded by like minded students. Another perk? You’re a minute walk away from great coffee and cafes.

Auction Rooms Cafe

Located in North Melbourne, Auction Rooms is a fantastic study option. With some of Melbourne’s best coffee on offer, and an all-day menu, you won’t have to leave for lunch. With an industrial interior, lots of space and seating, plenty of power outlets and reliable internet, it makes for a great study spot.

City Library

With six branches located in the central city, Carlton, Docklands, East Melbourne, North Melbourne and Southbank, you’ll have plenty of sites to choose from. With great facilities and quiet nooks, you’ll have hours of uninterrupted study.

Five Reasons To Study A Certificate IV In Allied Health This Year

FIVE REASONS TO STUDY A CERTIFICATE IV IN ALLIED HEALTH THIS YEAR

A career in Allied Health is incredibly rewarding and offers daily opportunities to enrich the lives of those you work with, and help make a positive impact on those who need it most. 

Allied Health roles include Physiotherapy, Osteopathy, Chiropractic, Podiatry, Speech Pathology, Pharmacy, Occupational Therapy and Exercise Physiology.

If you’ve ever considered a career in any of the above, this is the right course for you, and here’s why.

PRACTICAL AND SPECIALIST SKILLS

While studying Allied Health, you’ll be equipped with a highly practical skillset, learning from incredibly passionate and experienced teachers. You’ll also have ample opportunity for hands on practice with reputable and innovative health professionals through organised practical work placements. 

GREAT JOB PROSPECTS

With Allied Health professionals representing approximately 30% of the Australian Health workforce, and expected to continue increasing, there’s never been a better time to study an Allied Health course.

Career prospects include working in Physical Therapy, Occupational Therapy, Audiology, Athletic Training and even Dental Hygiene.

JOB SATISFACTION

Working so closely with people in a hands on role means building connections and positively impacting peoples’ lives. Caring for others, and being a part of their health journey, is an incredibly rewarding and satisfying element of any Allied Health role.

DAILY VARIETY

In a people-centric job role, each day is different. You’ll be caring for different patients, who will each have different needs, requirements and treatment plans. Not knowing what will arise with each day keeps the job interesting and the challenges fresh.

GLOBAL OPPORTUNITY

One unchanging truth is that each country has a need for healthcare professionals, which opens up job opportunities for Allied Health professionals on a global scale. So, no matter where your career takes you, you’ll be backed by one of the world’s most in-demand skill sets.

If you’re interested in learning more about our Certificate IV in Allied Health Assistance – (HLT43015) (Physiotherapy), contact us on info@sia.edu.au or call us directly on 1300 790 265

Setting A Positive Mindset For The Year Ahead

SETTING A POSITIVE MINDSET FOR THE YEAR AHEAD

With the first month of 2020 behind us, it can be easy to lose focus on any goals you’d set for yourself for the year ahead. This can sometimes lead to a shift in mindset, with a swing to a more negative outlook. However, when it comes to achieving your goals, mindset is everything. So, we’ve pulled together a list of our favourite methods for creating and cultivating a positive mindset.

FIND YOUR WHY

Having a goal is one thing, but finding your reason - your ‘why’ - is another. It’s easy to mistake your ‘why’ for your goal, but they’re separate. Your ‘why’ helps to cement the goals you have, and they’re the underlying reason for any goals you set; they’re also essential for keeping you on track and pushing forward.

PRACTICE GRATITUDE

Each day you’re faced with challenges, and it can be easy to let them get the better of you. However, when you practice gratitude, you remind yourself of all the positives despite the challenges. For example, taking a moment to be grateful for the people you’re surrounded by, where you live, and even being able to buy groceries can help shift your mindset into a more positive space. 

SAVOUR THE GOOD

It’s often not enough to just practice gratitude, sometimes we need to take a moment to savour the good too.

It can be easy to let great - or even good - moments pass without acknowledging them, but stopping and holding onto those positive feelings can be a great way to develop long-lasting positive thoughts and emotions.

SHARE POSITIVITY

You may have heard that by simply smiling, even when you don’t want to, your body produces feel-good neurotransmitters called dopamine, serotonin and endorphins. These cause you to feel happy, relieve stress and act as a 100% natural painkiller. And more than that? Smiling is contagious.

So, whenever you feel moments of positivity, sharing them with people around you not only boosts your mood but also positively impacts those around you. 

TREAT YOURSELF WITH KINDNESS

It’s important to remember that while these guidelines can help you cultivate a positive mindset, you needn’t dedicate all your time and energy to them. Being a positive person, and creating a positive mindset involves a conscious commitment to meeting your own needs and practicing kindness and patience with yourself.

Nothing happens overnight, but small steps taken everyday will all add up to one giant leap.

5 Different/Effective Ways to Study

5 DIFFERENT / EFFECTIVE WAYS TO STUDY

When it comes to studying, we are all unique and learn in different ways. For some, they may find that they learn best by teaching, and others may learn by ‘doing’.

No matter how you choose to study, there is no one-size-fits all approach, but we’re here to talk to you about 5 of the most effective ways to study, no matter how you like to learn.

Take a Pre-Test

This might sound a little backwards, but testing yourself on the subject you’re trying to learn, before you undertake your studying, has been shown to improve post-test results more than just study itself.

Space Out Your Study 

Cramming isn’t an effective solution when it comes to studying, and we recommend spacing out your studies to allow your brain, time to absorb the information given to it. Focusing on a specific topic for short periods on different days has been shown to improve retention and recall. An effective way to practice spaced study is using flash cards and self-quizzing. When using flash cards, create different piles when reviewing your cards. Cards that were answered correctly should be placed in a pile and reviewed three days later. Those answered with difficulty should be reviewed two days later, and those that were answered incorrectly should be reviewed the next day.

Practice by Self-Quizzing

Much like the methods in spacing study, self quizzing can be extremely helpful as a method of active retrieval practice. As you learn new information and topics, create questions for yourself relating to specific areas, such as what you may expect to find in a test. Take the time to answer these questions whenever you study, even if you feel that you know the answer.

Teach Others

This may sound a little confusing - afterall, how could you possibly teach someone something you’re trying to learn yourself? The benefit to teaching others is that it forces you to not only learn the information, but more importantly to understand it. If one of your ‘students’ asks for further explanation, it creates a scenario you wouldn’t have been faced with otherwise. 

Paraphrase Your Learning

How many times have you read a textbook, about to turn the page, when you realise you haven’t retained any of what you’ve read? This is more common than you think, and one of the best ways to overcome this is to paraphrase each page or section as you finish it. Explain or write the information as you might explain it to a five year old, or reflect on, and ask questions about the content.