How To Boost Your Motivation When Studying

Are you lacking motivation and concentration when studying at home? If you are, you are not alone, a large percentage of students find it difficult to concentrate. 

Below we have highlighted a few simple tips and tools to support you on your studying journey and in turn support you to thrive in your chosen course:

•  Schedule your study sessions into your calendar – The best way to achieve your study goals is by being organised. Identify a few different 2 – 3-hour blocks that you can allocate to study during the week. Remember that it is best to spread your study sessions across a few different days and not just on a single day.  

• Take Breaks – it is essential to take regular breaks during your study sessions, generally we recommend studying for around 40 – 60 minutes and then taking a 5 – 10-minute break. #TIP - Set an alarm so that you are not constantly checking your phone. 

• Mix up your study material – Identify some different ways to revise your study material, you might make flash cards, write summary notes, do a practice test, or ask a friend to test you. Mixing up the way we study not only support us to retain information faster, but it also keeps our study sessions fresh and interesting. 

•  Head to your local library – Over the past year and a half we have spent a lot of time at home; as a result, switching up the location of where we study can be refreshing and in turn boost our motivation. Consider heading to your local library or a community space to study. 

• Get organised – work out what you are going to study or focus on ahead of your study sessions. A great way to support you in this is by allocating different study units to each of your study sessions (Example – Monday 2pm – 4pm, Unit 1 & 2). By being organised ahead of the session it supports you to hit the ground running and make the most of your allocation study time. 

Our team here at Stirling Institute are here to support you to thrive in your chosen course, if you are needing any additional support in boosting your motivation and concentration, please don’t hesitate to reach out.

You can also find more insightful articles via our blog. 

The Importance Of Sleep During Winter

Did you know that in Winter we often need more sleep than in Summer? 

Our individual circadian rhythm (master internal clock) is our natural 24-hour internal clock, which regulates our sleep-wake cycle. Our circadian rhythm plays a fundamental role in our physical, mental, and behavioural changes and typically response to light and dark. Brain wave activity, hormone product, cell regeneration and other important biological processes are all determined by this cycle. 

During the Winter months you may notice that you feel more tried, this is due to more darkness in our 24 circadian rhythm as a result our senses make us feel more tried as our body believes that it should be getting ready to go to sleep. 

It is important during the Winter months that we support our bodies by giving them the rest they require to reset and recovery. 

Below are three ways that you can optimise your circadian rhythm:

• Allow yourself to rest and prioritise sleep – ensure you are getting at least 7 – 9 hours sleep each night. Listening to what the body needs is essential to overall health and wellbeing. 

• Let the sunshine in – spread as much time in the sun during winter as possible. Set your desk up in a sunny spot and commit to take short breaks during your work day to step out in the sunshine. 

• Focus on your breath – draw your awareness to your breath regularly throughout the day and participate in heart opening stretches to open up the airways 

• Stay hydrated – ensure you are consuming at least 2 – 2.5 litres of water each day. 

Finding The Perfect Work-Life Balance

Finding a healthy work-life balance can often be a challenging task. While work-life balance means something different to everyone, we have some tips and tools that you can implement to support you on your journey. 

Create a Structure 

Planning out your day has many benefits, the most compelling of which is time management. Instead of trying to do everything at once, determine which of your tasks are urgent and to be completed immediately, important but could wait, and non-important. By breaking your tasks up in this way, you can manage your day more effectively allowing for additional free time. 

Put a Timer on Technology

Mobile phones and TV are some of the largest culprits when it comes to distraction. When you have time to yourself it’s easy to reach for your phone and get distracted on the task at hand. Instead, put some time aside each day to check your phone and avoid mindless scrolling. 

Exercise is Key

Ensure you make time each day for quality exercise. Exercise has been proven to assist in reducing stress levels, clearing the mind and boosting brain power. Which in turn meaning more productivity at work and more quality time at home. 

Limit Time Wasting

Similar to putting tech on a timer, it’s important to recognise all time-wasting activities. These can include procrastination, indecision, social media and streaming services. Making a conscious effort to reduce these activities and help free up more time and create a healthier balance.

Start Small

All change takes time, and jumping into a new life structure - no matter how beneficial - needs to be taken slowly to ensure it becomes a part of your routine.

5 Study Tips To Support You To Thrive In Your Studies

Are you ready to thrive in your chosen study area? Here are six tips and tools to support and motivate you to thrive in your chosen studies. 

Create a Comfortable Environment -  Where you study has as much of an impact as how you study, and ensuring that your environment is clean, de-cluttered and quiet is very important to the learning process. For this reason, a lot of students choose to study in a library or at home in a quiet room.

Preparation is Key - Have you taken the time to plan out your studies, such as the topics you need to cover, the time you have to cover them and what you would like your outcome to be? It’s important to think about any areas of your own that are weaknesses and how you can address them in your studies.

Create Goals - In line with preparation, goal setting can assist in keeping you on track and accountable. When setting goals for your studies, examples could be duration of study or topics to be covered. 
Setting goals assists you in staying motivated and can be used for both long-term and short-term projects.

Ask for Help - It’s understandable that there may be holes in your knowledge on a topic or key area of study, but rather than spending time searching for answers on your own, draw from those around you who may be able to help. Teachers, classmates, friends or family are great resources for your studies.

Start Now - Procrastination is the enemy of motivation, and sometimes the hardest part of a task is to actually start. Set yourself a start time and commit to it without allowing yourself ‘another five minutes’ of TV or social networking. It will be a lot more rewarding than procrastination!

Reward Yourself - You’ve set and reached your goals, and now it’s time to reward yourself. Little rewards along the way can assist with keeping motivation levels and productivity high.

What Is Allied Health?

Allied Health Professionals, are universally qualified practitioners that have a specialised expertise in preventing, diagnosing and treating of a range of conditions and illnesses; they often work within a multidisciplinary health team to provide specific support to different patient’s needs.

In Australian Allied Health Professionals currently represent more than one quarter of the health workplace and delivery over 200 million health services annually (Allied Health Professions Australia 2019). 

Examples of Allied Health Professionals include:

• Physiotherapy

• Chiropractic

• Occupational therapy

• Dietetics

• Podiatry

• Osteopathy

• Psychologists

• Social Workers

• Acupuncture

Stirling Institute of Australia’s Certificate IV in Allied Health Assistance (Physiotherapy & Occupational Therapy)is suitable for students who want to work as an assistant in Allied Health focusing in the areas of Physiotherapy and Occupational therapy. 

Graduates are able to gain employment in a range of settings due to the nature of supporting people with injury prevention techniques, rehabilitation, prescribing and monitoring of exercises to support the client’s health and wellbeing. Some of these settings include but are not limited to:

o  Acute Care – Hospitals

o  Rehabilitation Centres

o  National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS)

o  Community Health Programs and Centres

o  Aged Care Facilities

o  Fitness and Sporting Clubs

o  Athletic development institutes

The course enables you to become qualified to assist in providing support to Allied Health practitioners with implementing general care and assisting with ongoing therapy, as well as working with clients in recreational and leisure activities.

Interested in more, speak with one of our career consultants today 1300 790 265.

Please note –This training is delivered with Victorian & Commonwealth Government Funding. (Eligibility Criteria applies - speak with our representative to learn more). Speak with one of our career consultants today to learn more.

Source - https://ahpa.com.au/what-is-allied-health/

The Benefits Of Meditation And Mindfulness

Meditation and mindfulness are among some of the most popular topics in the health and wellness industry today. Their importance is forever increasing as we continue to live busy lives, juggling our studies, work and social life. 

Meditation is the art of focusing 100% of your attention in one area and not allowing your mind to drift off to other concepts and thoughts. The practice of meditation comes with numerous benefits including but not limited to:

·       Increasing concentration levels

·       Decreasing anxiety

·       Maintaining a general feeling of happiness

·       Deeper Sleep 

·       Enhance awareness 

Below are 5 recommendations to help you get past the initial hurdles and integrate meditation into your life for the long term. 

# 1 - Set aside a specific time to meditate each day - The time you choose will be different for everyone, some people benefit by making time for their practice during the middle of their study time, allowing them to regain focus. Others find that at night before bed is a great time too. 

# 2- Start with a few stretches  - To loosen the muscles and tendons which will allow you to relax. Get in a comfortable position, for your ten mins of meditation, a position in which you will be able to remain focused on your practice. 

# 3 - Concentrate on slow, deep breaths - To start with, as this will relax the heart rate and releases tension in the muscles, allowing the mind to focus on the breath will drain out any wandering thoughts.

# 4 - Take notice of the body and how you feel - This is a great place to start when beginning meditation as it allows you to connect your mind, body and spirit together as one.  

# 5 - Listen to instructional meditation – Soundcloud, Headspace, One Giant Mind and Calm have some great meditation soundtracks and guided meditations for you to choose from. 

Meditation is an absolutely wonderful practice but is a hard one to master especially if you are new to the practice, so be kind to yourself. We recommend start with just a short meditation and then slowing building it up to longer ones. 

The Benefits Of An Organised Work Placement

There are major benefits to taking your learning out of the classroom and into real-world settings, away from purely theoretical studies. It’s important to practice what you've learnt in organised work placements to help solidify your understanding of certain topics. 

The benefits of organised placement go further than assisting learning, however, and can be beneficial in a number of ways, as outlined below: 

1. LEARNING NEW SKILLS 

There is only so far that online or classroom learning can take you when it comes to gaining new skills. When on a work placement, you’ll learn and be able to implement new skills such as effective communication, teamwork, planning, timekeeping and organisation. These new skills will help to build your confidence in the workplace for both your placement and when you start a new job and can act as an important foundation going forward. 

2. APPLICATION OF ACADEMIC LEARNING 

Work experience offers the opportunity of applying subject specific theoretical knowledge to a real-life situation. You’ll be able to test the skills you learnt in textbooks and discussions and see how they’re best applied to real world scenarios. Are they more challenging than you expected? Are you able to expand upon what you’ve learnt for a more desirable outcome? 

3. COMMUNICATION AND PROBLEM SOLVING 

Some of the most important workplace skills come down to the basics of communication and problem solving. Each day on placement you’re likely to face new challenges that your studies weren’t able to prepare you for and you’ll learn how to think on your feet, think outside the box, communicate effectively and work both by yourself and as part of a wider team to solve complex problems. 

4. IMPROVE EMPLOYABILITY 

At the end of the day, your goal for your studies and work placement should be to improve your employability. This doesn’t just apply for those new to the workforce, but also those who are looking to upskill and earn promotions. 

When undertaking a work placement, the additional skills you learn on the job can be extremely beneficial when updating or writing your CV. It will also indicate to future employers that you are eager and willing to learn new skills, may give you an edge over other candidates and can be talking points for interviews. 

It’s also beneficial while on placement to keep a record of what you’ve learnt and how you’ve applied your studies to real life situations, as you may find that going forward you’ll need to reference past experiences and may be able to build upon them when completing your studies and entering the workplace. 

What To Expect When Studying Early Childhood Education

The Diploma of Early Childhood Education and Care (CHC50113) is designed to produce educators who are responsible for developing and implementing early childhood education and care programs. 

This Diploma of Early Childhood Education and Care (CHC50113) is for those wishing to lead an education and care program for children before they enter formal schooling, a diploma such as this one further enables you to implement and manage education and care programs, whilst supervising staff and volunteers. 

Throughout most courses you will be required to undertake a minimum of 240 hours in an Australian Regulated Education and Care Service. 

With this diploma, there are a large number of placement hours, as well as assessments that will be required to be completed.

Some of these assessments include: 

• Written Assignment and Case Studies

• Project/Research Reviews

• Workplace Assessments

• Knowledge questions

A Diploma of Early Childhood Education and Care (CHC50113)  is a perfect pathway to a range of roles in the child supervision of other staff and volunteers. 

Some career opportunities include:

● Early Childhood Educator 

● Out-Of-School Hours Coordinator 

● Day Care Operator 

● Nanny 

● Assistant Educator in a Kindergarten or Preschool program working alongside a teacher. 

● Preschool Assistant 

● Early childhood center director or coordinator 

Early Childhood Education and Care is such a rewarding qualification to have, and is a smooth pathway into working with children. Please note there are no previous work or education requirements for entry into this diploma.

To learn more about our Diploma of Early Childhood Education and Care (CHC50113) - Commencing 2021 - click HERE.

What A Day In The Life Of An Allied Health Assistant May Look Like

Have you considered a career in Allied Health? One of the key considerations is what this particular career path might look like on a day-to-day basis.

One of the biggest draws for working as an Allied Health Assistant - other than the varied nature of the work - is the opportunity to work with a range of clients and a diverse scope of work, but it’s also important to know what you’re getting into on a daily basis. 

As an Allied Health Assistant, you’ll have a basic knowledge of medical terms and the skills associated, which means you’re able to work with physiotherapists, dieticians, psychologists and social workers to name a few.

An Allied Health Assistant’s day will begin by liaising with their team and determining the schedule for the day; who they’re working with, which issues they’ll be faced with and the scope of their client work. Due to the varied nature of their work, it’s crucial that Allied Health Assistants have strong organisational, communication and time-management skills. 

Their daily responsibilities will include:

• Overall management and direction of facility or organisation

• Assisting in administrative operations; reporting, budget planning and supply/equipment expenditure

• Developing, implementing and monitoring health care standards and policies for Allied Health and administrative staff

• Liaising with patients

• Maintaining a comfortable, supportive environment through multiple practices.

• Supporting and assisting Allied Health practitioners

One of the many benefits of working in Allied Health is that you aren’t limited to certain job opportunities and locations. This kind of flexibility means that you’re able to pursue various career pathways and follow your unique interests within the Allied Health space. 

If you’re interested in studying to be an Allied Health Assistant at Stirling Institute, you can contact us directly at this email address, or contact us here.

Why Is Exercising So Important?

Exercise has many benefits, from improved heart function to reducing the risk of many diseases, and it’s also highly important when it comes to improved overall mental health and brainpower.

Exercise as a Brain Power Booster

Regular exercise helps to improve both memory and thinking, and it’s not limited to specific types of exercise. Whether you’re fond of weightlifting, yoga, walking or kickboxing, each has the same benefits to your brain. The aerobic element of exercise ~ also known as cardio ~ raises your heart rate which in turn increases blood flow to your brain. This is then accompanied by an increase in breathing speed which helps to pump more oxygen into your bloodstream, which in turn is delivered to your brain. So not only has your brain benefited from an increase of blood, but it’s now also receiving an increased supply of oxygen through the blood. This then leads to the production of neurons ~ known as neurogenesis ~ in certain parts of your brain that control memory and thinking. 

Exercise also promotes the production of neurotrophins, which are proteins that aid neuron survival and function. These neurotrophins lead to an increase in brain plasticity, and therefore, better memory and learning.

Put it to the Test

What’s the best way to see how exercise affects your brainpower? Put it to the test yourself and begin adding exercise to your daily routine. Any exercise that leads to an increase in heart rate will be beneficial, and you can start slowly by walking. If you’re not interested in walking, consider other moderate exercises, such as swimming, cycling or dancing.

But how much exercise should you do, exactly? Getting in at least 30 minutes of exercise on most days should lead to a noticeable improvement in your memory and cognitive function. No matter the exercise style you choose, commit to making it a part of your daily routine to see the full benefits.

Eating For Optimal Cognitive Function

Our brain regulation is made up of numerous factors, from how much sleep we have had, to the amount of stress in our life, and how much water we have drunk during the day. However, the number one influential factor comes down to our diet and the foods we are consuming. A poor diet can equate to a low level of brain power and concentration. Therefore, your food choices are one of the most influential variables you can control that relates to your health, vitality and functioning of the brain. 

FUN FACT - Your brain is the fattest organ in your body and consists of at least 60% fat. (NCBI 2009) 

Therefore, polyunsaturated fats and monounsaturated fats are vital in a human’s diet. 

• Polyunsaturated fat - found in plants and animal foods they include, omega 3 and 6 fatty acids (healthy fat) 

• Monounsaturated fat - are liquid at room temperature but start to harden when chilled 

10 foods that naturally increase your concentration and brain power: 

• Avocados - high in monounsaturated fats, help to protect brain cells

• Spinach - rich in brain protective antioxidants and supporting good blood cells

• Almonds - high levels of healthy omega3 fatty acids

•  Dark Chocolate - rich in polyphenols and helps to improve blood flow to the brain

• Kale - rich vitamin and high in iron and potassium

• Walnuts - omega 3 fats and supportive of your brains gut bacteria

• Eggs - yolks are rich in choline, which assist in making acetylcholine a neurotransmitter that is important for maintaining memory and communication

• Wild Salmon - a natural source of omega 3

• Olive Oil - protective antioxidant

Tips For A Productive Study Session

Bring organised and focused is key to a successful study session. Effectively organising your time will not only minimise detractions and procrastination, but it will also ensure that your study sessions are productive and focused. 

Here are our 10 top tips for a successful and productive study session: 

1.    Set yourself up in quite location, away from potential noise, near natural light and fresh air. 

2.    Switch your phone onto silent mode and where possible, remove it from the space in which you are studying. 

3.    Make sure you have all necessary resources on hand, such as; laptop, paper, pens, highlighters and course books. 

4.    Have a clock nearby to keep track of the time. 

5.    Create a study plan, highlighting what tasks you are going to complete and how long you will spend on each task. 

6.    Have a 10-15minute break every 1.5 hours, during this break try and get outside from some fresh air. 

7.    Ensure you are staying hydrated throughout the day. 

8.    Have some healthy snacks nearby such as fruit and nuts. 

9.    Listening to calming music 

10.  Keep your study space as tidy and organised as possible. 

Remember that if you are finding it hard to concentrate, move away from your desk and reset your mind and body, a great activity to do to reset your focus is going for a walk around the block or local park. When you come back to your desk, make sure you have the tasks you are focusing on written

The Importance Of Sleep, Rest And Recovery

Building a sustainable rest and sleep practice that rejuvenates and supports you to be a more productive, collaborative and focused is key when studying and learning. 

According to sleep experts, if there's something wrong with your sleep, chances are it's affecting something else, causing weight gain, brain fog, or worsening a chronic disease. When trying to get your health in check, sleep should be your number one priority. 

As bio individuals, we all need different amounts of sleep per night. As a general indication, however, try to get around 7-9 hours of sleep per night for optimal rest and recovery.

Tips & Tools for a restful night’s sleep: 

• Nutrition – Eat a well balance diet with a range of protein, healthy fats, fruits and vegetables. Try and avoid having caffeine after 12pm.

•  Stay hydrated – Ensure you are consuming at least 2 – 2.5 litres of water each day and an additional 0.5 litres for every 30 minutes of high intensity exercise that you participate in.

•  Exercise - The National Institute of Health recommend that healthy adults should participate in approximately 30 – 40 minutes of focused exercises per day. 

•  Dim the lights – Turn off any unnecessary lights within the house to ensure that your eyes are not exposed to brightness. 

•  Ditch the devices – The blue light produce by our digital screens supresses the body’s natural ability to synthesize melatonin. 

• Keep it Cool – Our body temperature naturally drops when it’s time to go to sleep. Research has shown that if you sleep in a cooler environment is it easier to fall asleep. 

•  Switch off the mind – Enjoy reading a book or magazine before bed to relax your mind and body. 

What Tasks Will You Complete In A Community Services Role?

There are many different pathways in which you can take, after the successful completion of a Diploma of Community Services (Case Management) (CHC52015). 

Two of the most common pathways include; case management and social housing, in which you are responsible for managing, co-ordinating and delivering person-centred services to individuals, groups and communities. 

Throughout your Diploma of Community Services (Case Management) (CHC52015), you will learn specialised skills in community services and work autonomously under broad directions from senior management. 

A few of the everyday tasks that you may be ask to complete, include: 

·      Providing direct support to groups or individuals 

·      Monitoring specific groups and individuals

·      Supervising other workers and volunteers 

·      Program coordination 

·      Development of new business opportunities 

·      Implementing programs 

·      Monitoring the health and safety of individuals 

·      Develop and implement service programs 

·      Develop workplace communication strategies

Each workplace will be unique and therefore tasks may vary. At Stirling Institute we are currently offering a Diploma of Community Services (Case Management) (CHC52015), at following locations across Victoria; South Melbourne, Dandenong, St Albans, Shepperton and Fawkner.

If you’re interested in learning more about where a career in community service could take you, speak with one of our career consultations on 1300 790 265 or email us at info@sia.edu.au 

Click Here for Course Information - Diploma of Community Services (Case Management) (CHC52015)

Five Tips To Help You Prepare For Your First Job Interview

Preparing for an interview can be overwhelming and intimidating, however, there are several steps you can take to prepare yourself and feel confident. 

Preparing for an interview primarily means taking the time to thoughtfully consider your qualifications, goals, aspirations and mission. 

Below are five tips to help you prepare for a successful first job interview. 

1. Examine the job description – understand and unpack what the employer is looking for in a successful candidate. The job description will list the qualifications, qualities and background the employer is seeking in an ideal candidate. The more you align yourself with these the more you can showcase that you are a qualified for the job. 

2. Understand the company – perform research on the company and role, understanding what the company does, their missions, vision and goals is important but will also help provide context for your interview.

3. Consider your answers to common questions – While you won’t be able to know exactly what they will ask you. You can prepare for some basic questions:  

• Why do you want to work here? 

• What skills and knowledge can you bring to the organisations? 

•  What interests you about this role?

• What are your greatest strengths? 

4. Practice your public speaking skills – It’s important to make a positive and lasting impression during the interview process, so practice speaking out loud and answers potential questions that you may be asked.

5. Conduct a mock interview – consider asking a family member or friend to practice doing a mock interview with you. Get them to ask you potential job interview question and practice answering them.  This will help to boost your confidence. 

Possible Career Options In Early Childhood Education

Early childhood is a growing and dynamic sector with opportunities to enter and expand your career in all sorts of stimulating and professionally rewarding directions. The early childhood sector is a career for life, with opportunities for progression into leadership positions for those who want to take the next step. 

Our Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care (CHC30113) provides entry level job opportunities in homes, childcare centre, and school-based environments. 

Employment opportunities after successful competition of a Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care (CHC30113) include: 

• Family day care carer – An individual that provides care and supervision for babies and children, in their own home and under local government and community-based schemes.

• Early childhood educator - Supports the social, emotional, physical and educational development of young children and infants. Often in a pre-school or kindergarten learning environment, 

• Kindergarten assistant - Works alongside kindergarten teachers, delivering play-based learning experiences to children. Within this role you will assist children as they tackle the basics of literacy and numeracy to prepare them for their next stage of educational learning at school

• Nanny – Takes care of children within the child’s own home environment. They are responsible for creating a safe and stimulating environment for the child, planning meals and preparing food along with indoor and outdoor play, plus educational activates and crafts.

After achieving Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care (CHC30113) students may continue their studies by enrolling in a Diploma of Early Childhood Education and Care (CHC50113)

For more information about these rewarding career opportunities visit our website or contact one of our friendly career specialists on 1300 790 265 or email

Job Opportunities Within The Aged Care Industry

 Have you ever wondered where a care within the aged care industry may take you. 

After successful competition of a Certificate IV in Ageing Support (CHC43015) graduates can take many different career path opportunities including: 

·      Front line care and support 

·      Administration

·      Human resources 

·      Catering 

·      Corporate & managerial roles 

Everyday tasks and responsibilities within the aged carer sector can 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.

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 IV in Ageing Support (CHC43015), or contact us directly via email.

The Benefits Of Working Collaboratively

Collaboration is when a group of people come together to work and contribute ideas on a project, objective or mission. 

When studying, often collaborating is a useful tool to share ideas and knowledge. It often assists with problem-solving, helps us learn from one another, sparks new ideas and often opens up new channels of thought and inspiration which alone we may not have been able to think of or achieve. 

 Here are four resources to work collaboratively when studying: 

1.    It leads to a higher retention rate – collaboration lays the foundation for a more open and connected conversation. 

2.    We can learn from one another – as bio individuals we all work and think differently, therefore, when we collaborate we each bring a different skill set and background to the table which enables us to learn different perspectives. Ideas and concepts which we may not have thought of. 

3.    Helps groups to problem solve – when working in teams or in a collaborative situation we can often bounce ideas off each other and find solution to problems which we may need to solve.

4.    Creates flexibility and creativity – collaboration and teamwork allows for more reactivity and versatility conversation. 

So next time you’re working on a project or studying for an upcoming test, considering collaborating with team members. Coming together to brainstorm ideas and share knowledge not only can increase your productivity, but it can help with problem solving. 

It is also important to remember that beyond your studies collaborating in the workplace and working together is also an important tool and asset. 

Why You Should Study At Stirling Institute Of Australia

Have you recently looked at pursuing your dream career through one of the courses we offer at Stirling Institute of Australia? 

At Stirling Institute of Australia, we believe the best way to learn is to experience. With multiple hands on diplomas to set you in the right pathway for your dream work, what's not to love? 

Our vision here at S.I.A Is to be known as a Quality Education and Training Provider in Australia. We are committed to gaining a reputation of excellence in delivering quality education. 

With over 20 diploma options and a wide range of career pathways, we’re confident that we're the institution for you. 

Over the years, we are proud to specialise in the following areas:

❏     Business 

❏     Leadership and Management 

❏     Allied Health 

❏     Disability 

❏     Ageing Support

❏     Individual Support 

❏     Horticulture

❏     Food Processing 

❏     Clinical Hypnotherapy  

We have over 15 locations spread across Victoria for all our domestic students. Alternatively we are a highly functioning online Institute for all our students who are unable to attend face-to-face classes. 

This online platform is also a helpful tool for all of our International Students who are studying abroad across the globe. 

Don’t just take our word for it; here’s Lisa’s testimonial, a student recently graduated from her Certificate IV in Allied Health Assistant (HLT43015) 

“The course at Stirling Institute was fantastic. The teachers and facilities were amazing.” 

Head over to our Instagram page to see more of our student testimonials.

Want to learn more? Email us on info@sia.edu.au or alternatively, you can call us on 1300 790 265.

We’re here to answer any questions you may have. 

5 Ways To Boost Your Concentration When Studying

With all the distractions we’re faced with on a daily basis, from our computers, to our phones, it can be tricky to stay focused while studying. 

We’re unpacking five of our favourite methods for helping to boost - and maintain - your concentration while studying.

1.     Mute All  Notifications on your  Devices.

Whilst receiving a notification is only a small distraction, putting your phone down right away can be tricky. Reading the notification can lead to reflex habits, such as scrolling on social media. 

This is usually an unconscious decision, and as such can be difficult to eliminate. To avoid this temptation, log out of social media apps or mute chats that you may be tempted to check.

If you are working on a timely subject or wanting uninterrupted study time, it might be work turning your device off or putting it somewhere out of reach so you cannot see/hear the notifications. Allow yourself the reward once you’ve finished studying. 

2.     Take Regular Work Breaks 

Taking regular breaks can boost your energy levels, your motivation to sit down and study and your concentration, helping you to absorb and store new and useful information.

We recommend taking a mid morning break, and having something to eat to boost your brain power and get you up and out of your chair, as well as a longer lunch break doing something you enjoy, rather than scrolling through social media.

Go for a wal or call a friend; anything that's going to distract you and move your mind away from the content you are absorbing whilst studying. 

Not only will this help boost your concentration levels but also will decrease lower back pain and headaches. Win-win. 

3.     A Clean Environment 

Your environment plays a huge role in how well you are able to sit down and concentrate. Decluttering your home or your specific workspace allows your mind to feel free and to think more clearly. 

Have you thought about adding some greenery into your study area? This may not only increase concentration but improve the quality of air in your environment. 

4.     Exercise Before Studying 

Aim to get up 30 minutes of exercise before your allocated study time to get that body moving.

Moving your body can look different for everyone, this could be a quick walk before breakfast or a 20 minute yoga session. Whatever it may be, starting to implement movement in your daily routine can do wonders for your levels of concentration.

5.     Listen To Music 

Did you know playing soft relaxing music in the background can help stimulate your brain? From classical and instrumental music to electronic - a tune without lyrics is the perfect music to have playing in the background whilst retaining information. 

Whatever steps you choose to take, take care of yourself and good luck studying.