Bachelor of Business Southern Cross University - SCU

Positives: Positive aspects would be the course content and the teachers. My lecturers and tutors are very knowledgable and skilled in this area of study and many of them work in this industry aside from lecturing. I find the course content interesting and relevant to today’s current business environment. The delivery of the course has been functional, effective and enjoyable to complete through the use of many different mediums of technology.

Negatives: Negatives would be the lack of learning support from staff and teachers, sometimes I feel very isolated and alone in my studies. It’s no surprise University is an extremely stressful thing so having a strong support network from the University is crucial in ensuring that the students maintain a good wellbeing during their time studying at university. I’m pretty unfamiliar with the extent of academic services available to me so further focus should be placed on that, i.e. my peers often talk about an online tutoring service that they use but I have no idea what it is and how to access it etc.

My advice to future students is: I’d say to any future students looking to study at university definitely dedicate the large majority of your semester 1 to taking up any and every opportunity that the university offers, for example; join the sporting teams, student association board meetings, volunteer activities etc. because this is a really good way to network with like minded people and create strong friendships. I also think it’s a great way to learn from other people, someone for example might know about a service the university offers for students who for example may be going through a financial crisis and you may not have been previously aware of this until that individual makes mention of it in conversation. I’m a strong believe that word of mouth is the most effective means of communicating facts with people fast so definitely engage yourself in conversations, forums and meetings etc and have a say.

I'm studying this online and majoring in Human Resources Management.

Positives: Positive aspects would be the flexibility of the course i.e. I have been able to work full time around my studies and have only required very minimal time off for non negotiable things like exams etc. The course content has always been interesting and relevant as laid out in the course guide. The delivery of the course has been good, the lecturers and tutors are friendly, well-skilled and are very knowledgable about the course. Delivery of the course has been good using resources such as Blackboard Collaborate where I am able to view recorded or live lectures hence improving the flexibility of the course (if I miss a lecture I am able to watch a recorded lecture). Communication with my lecturers and tutors has been easy and efficient through email, text messages and at time phone calls.

Negatives: Negative aspects of the course would be the learning support side of things as sometimes you can feel quite alone being an online/distance student. By studying through this method I often feel like there isn't enough academic support services around me just to ask a basic question. They do offer online tutor services where you're able to submit your assignment and they'll give it back within a 24 hour turn around time frame which is good, however if you just want general advice on something minor there really is no service available. Miscommunication can be challenging, and I often find myself feeling 'bombarded' with emails from the university because that is the main form of communication. I also feel like the course content struggles to be delivered with the accurate level of meaning and force as it's through a laptop screen opposed to face to face in a lecture room. In most cases lecturers for my units also teach and deliver the lectures for the on campus students as well which for my university there are 3 official campus locations (Lismore NSW, Gold Coast QLD and Coffs Harbour NSW) sometimes it seems like the on campus students have 'priority'.

My advice to future students is: I would say to potential future students if possible try and attend classes, seminars, lectures, tutes etc. on campus for your first semester to really get a good grasp of the university's systems i.e how to use Blackboard Collaborate, how to navigate the university's online library database etc. This will well equip you with ALL the knowledge you need to successfully complete your studies via distance education. Also make the most of any opportunities that may arise through the university, being a distance student I feel like the opportunities are significantly limited but I do suggest you make the most of the services the university has to offer. Definitely sign up to student associations particularly if you're thinking of studying on campus as an indefinite option because the student associations really do an awesome job of giving back to the students and really looking after them. You can often get heaps of free things through student associations like diaries, pens, calendars, heavily discounted printing and sometimes even 2nd hand textbooks which is all super beneficial.

- Can study online

- Studying online can be hard as no face to face contact like you would have if you were on campus

- Studying online means you can study when convenient.

- Each subject / course has a different method of learning and tools which can make it difficult to get into a rhythm of learning.

- student mentor was of no use. Lucky I had a friend studying the same course as she has helped me a lot

- can be difficult if studying after receiving credits from previous study as first subject may be a 1st year then next subject may be a 3rd year, depending on the enrolment pattern provided.

Great online tools for people looking to study online whilst they are working.

Most of the lecturers care about your learning and give good feedback.