Joyce's Story
STUDENT PROFILE
STUDENT NAME: Joyce Wong Qian Hui
NATIONALITY: Malaysian
PROGRAM: University of Tasmania Foundation Studies Program
UNIVERSITY DESTINATION: University of Tasmania, Australia
Tell us about yourself
I’m Joyce Wong Qian Hui and I’m from Malaysia. I’m taking Foundation Studies with UP Education through the University of Tasmania.
How long have you been in the online program?
I started the program just over two months ago, at the end of March. I started my studies on campus here in Hobart in Tasmania and switched to online learning when the pandemic hit.
Why did you choose UP Education?
I was inspired by my dad who graduated from the University of Tasmania and has excelled in his architecture career. He encouraged me to study overseas too and helped me research the best program provider, which was UP Education. We both felt like UP Education had the right experience and expertise, and they really helped with the whole application process. I was very happy to find that I would be able study in the same place as my father.
Why did you choose to pursue your studies online?
Restrictions during the pandemic meant that my university switched to online study. UP Education already has a lot of experience running online classes, so I was confident it would be a great experience. I’m really glad I can still keep up with my program so that I won’t waste my time. It means I’m still on track and will still be able to start my course at university next February, as planned.
How has your online experience been so far?
It’s actually really nice to study from home (and not have to get up so early). Studying online was a big shift to begin with. I had to get used to using the technology and using certain tools but I’m really enjoying it. It’s friendly and easy to understand and to follow up with. I can access online course materials where and how I want. The program really does improve our communication skills and trains us to think critically and outside the box. It’s really helped me improve my English and it’ll help with my future degree studies. I know that the campus experience is really important but the online option offers huge benefits.
How are you finding the learning experience with your teachers in the online environment?
I am very grateful to have such friendly, kind-hearted and helpful teachers. They are very supportive and dedicated to helping me with my tasks. They contact us individually to check on our learning progressions and give advice on how to tackle our assignments. After online class my teachers make themselves available to answer questions, even over the weekend when I needed help. They also give me and my parents regular feedback, in our own language if necessary. My teachers have given me the confidence and encouragement to do well, and to keep working towards my goals.
Can you describe your daily schedule for us?
Most of my online classes start at 8 am. We discuss our key learning tasks, take notes and work through the content. I always set tasks for myself the night before, which helps me stay on track and be more productive. The teacher goes over everything throughout the week. The day is a mix of study time and classes, with recorded videos and interactive English learning activities. If I have extra time during the day, I’ll read through some concepts about Statistics and Math before going online. Classes continue until 3pm, and then of course we have homework and assignments to complete. It’s all very focussed but we have regular breaks, which is important for staying fresh and alert.
What systems/applications do you use every day? Are they easy to use?
I use a range of platforms that make learning, sourcing information and interacting easy. We follow the flipped learning approach with a tool called Blackboard, which UP Education has been using for years. It means we know beforehand what we’re going to work on and can prepare and discuss concepts. It’s very effective. As well as Zoom I use MyLo for web conferencing, which allows my teacher to record our learning sessions, including audio, shared content etc. Features like OneNote enhance our study progress. I also use a productivity app called Forest which keeps me on task and free from distraction.
What are the benefits to studying online?
It is very convenient. I save a lot of time by not having to travel to my classroom and back home every day. No getting caught in bad weather walking to the bus, and of course, I don’t have to get up so early. I’m more rested, which means more time for my studies and revision. I am more productive and self-motivated. There is a lot of flexibility but UP Education sets a strict attendance rate, so we have to be self-disciplined. It’s my future so it’s up to me to make sure that I am keeping up with all my work courses.
What advice would you give other students who are thinking of studying online?
I strongly encourage you to attend online classes instead of wasting time, waiting for restrictions to end. You need to be self-disciplined but you can arrange and fit your time properly to your own timetable. It gives you more time in every day and the content and support you are receiving is the same as on campus. Learning on campus is invaluable, but learning online is also excellent for developing and growing as a person.
