Starting any new course is exciting, but it can also be a challenge to find your rhythm, especially if it has been a while since you last studied. The good news is that effective learning is not about natural ability; it’s about building habits that work for you.

Whether you are training to become a bookkeeper, studying for your AAT exams, preparing for ICB certification, or undertaking learning for CPD purposes, developing the right study structure will make all the difference. At Ideal Schools, we’ve seen thousands of students transform their study routines and achieve qualifications they once thought were out of reach.

Understanding How You Learn Best

Everyone learns differently. Some people retain information best by writing things down, while others prefer to listen, watch, or practise. Knowing how you learn is the first step to studying smarter.

Try to identify your learning preferences early on. If you find that reading text alone doesn’t help it stick, combine it with practice exercises or audio explanations. If visual aids help, use colour-coded notes or diagrams to summarise key topics. The more you adapt your methods to your natural style, the easier it becomes to stay consistent.

Our tutors encourage students to experiment with different approaches during their first few units. Some like to record themselves explaining a concept. Others use flashcards or digital quizzes. There’s no single right way - the best system is the one you’ll actually use.

Creating a Routine You Can Stick To

The hardest part of any distance learning course isn’t usually the content. It’s building a study routine around real life.

Start small. Aim for regular short sessions - 30 to 45 minutes at a time - rather than long, infrequent blocks of study. Consistency beats intensity every time. Schedule your study time as you would any other appointment, and protect it from interruptions.

If your schedule changes weekly, don’t worry. Flexible study is designed to work around you. Many Ideal Schools students fit their learning in after work or once the kids are in bed. Others take advantage of quieter times at weekends. The key is to commit to a routine that feels realistic and sustainable.

Building Momentum and Avoiding Procrastination

Procrastination often creeps in when a task feels too big or unclear. Break each study goal into smaller, achievable steps. For example, instead of “finish the next unit,” set targets like “read Chapter 2” or “complete Exercise 3.1.”

Ticking off small milestones builds momentum and helps you see progress, which is incredibly motivating. Some students use progress charts or a simple notebook to track what they’ve achieved each week.

It’s also important to remove distractions where possible. Turn off notifications during study sessions and create a dedicated workspace, even if it’s just a corner of the kitchen table. When you sit there, your mind will associate it with learning.

Staying Motivated as a Distance Learner

Motivation naturally rises and falls, especially if you’re studying alongside work or family life. That’s why it helps to focus on your “why.”

Ask yourself why you’re doing this course. Is it for a career change? To increase your earning potential? To work for yourself? Write your reasons down and keep them visible. On tougher days, they’ll remind you what you’re working toward.

At Ideal Schools, our Tutor Support team also plays a big part in keeping students motivated. Tutors aren’t just there to mark assignments - they’re there to offer encouragement, advice, and reassurance. Having someone who understands the challenges makes it easier to stay on track.

The Science of Effective Learning

Good study habits are about quality, not just quantity. Research shows that shorter, focused sessions followed by active recall and spaced repetition lead to better memory retention.

In practice, this means reviewing your notes regularly rather than re-reading them all at once before an exam. Try revisiting key topics after one day, then again after a week. This reinforces what you’ve learned and helps move information into long-term memory.

Testing yourself is another powerful technique. Don’t wait until you feel “ready.” Attempt mock questions early to identify gaps in your understanding. Our students often find that this approach speeds up their learning because it turns passive reading into active thinking.

Overcoming Study Slumps

Everyone experiences periods where study feels difficult. The trick is not to panic. Learning is rarely a straight line - some topics will take longer to click than others.

When you hit a block, step away for a short break or switch topics to reset your focus. Talking through your difficulty with a tutor often helps too. They can explain concepts in a different way or provide extra examples that make it easier to understand.

Remember that progress is progress, even when it feels slow. Many students underestimate how much they’re learning simply because it becomes familiar. Reviewing your earlier work can remind you just how far you’ve come.

Learning from Others

You don’t have to study in isolation. Joining peer groups or connecting with other students can provide both accountability and encouragement. The Ideal Schools Facebook community is a great place to share milestones, ask for advice, and celebrate achievements. Take advantage of our Virtual Welcome Meetings to meet others and develop your own peer support groups.

Hearing how others overcome the same challenges can be reassuring. It also helps you pick up practical tips - from how to structure revision notes to how to prepare for assessments. Many of our students say that being part of a supportive community was key to their success.

Practical Tools and Study Aids

Using the right tools can make study more efficient. Many learners benefit from combining digital and physical resources. Try:

• Online flashcard apps for revising key terms
  
  

• Printouts of exam-style questions for handwritten practice
  
  

• Spreadsheets or checklists to track progress
  
  

• Study timers or productivity apps to stay focused
  
  

Ideal Schools provides comprehensive resources with each course, from detailed materials to marked assignments that mimic real exam questions. The feedback you receive helps refine your approach and strengthen your understanding as you go.

Turning Good Habits into Lasting Success

The goal isn’t to have perfect study sessions - it’s to keep showing up. Once you’ve established your rhythm, studying becomes second nature.

Those who succeed are rarely the ones who breeze through every topic easily; they’re the ones who build habits that carry them through the tough spots. Every short session, every practice test, every bit of feedback adds up to long-term confidence.

Studying bookkeeping isn’t just about gaining a qualification. It’s about proving to yourself that you can learn new skills, adapt, and grow. And with the right habits, that learning doesn’t stop when the course ends - it becomes part of who you are.

Ready to Start Building Your Study Routine?

If you’re ready to take the next step, explore our ICB Courses, AAT Courses and CPD Courses. Each includes expert tutor support, practical resources, and flexible options to help you succeed on your terms.

With structure, support, and the right mindset, you can make study a sustainable part of your life - and achieve more than you thought possible.