Mindset for Success: Thriving as a Distance Learner Student
Build the mindset, study habits, and connections you need to thrive as a remote learner. Develop resilience and stay motivated.
Duration
4 weeksWeekly study
2 hoursLanguages
English, Italiano, Español, Français, PortuguêsEnglish, Italiano, Español100% online
How it worksDigital upgrade
Free
Mindset for Success: Thriving as a Distance Learner Student
Develop the growth mindset and study skills to succeed in distance learning
Studying remotely can feel isolating, but it doesn’t have to be. This course helps you build the mindset, habits, and connections you need to thrive as a distance learner, both academically and personally.
You’ll learn how to bounce back from setbacks, stay motivated when things get tough, and develop the confidence to tackle challenges on your own. This is about building resilience that lasts beyond any single course or qualification.
Cultivate a growth mindset and build your resilience
Learn strategies to develop a growth mindset—the belief that you can improve through effort and practice. You’ll discover how to overcome setbacks, maintain motivation throughout your studies, and build confidence in adapting to change. These mental skills are just as important as any study technique.
Master your time and beat procrastination
Discover practical techniques (like time blocking and the Pomodoro method) that actually work. You’ll build study routines that help you stay focused, beat procrastination, and balance life with learning.
Time management isn’t about being perfect, it’s about finding what works for you and sticking with it.
Connect with others and build your learning community
Learn how to connect with other learners, find accountability partners, and build the kind of community that keeps you motivated. Remote learning doesn’t mean going it alone.
You’ll discover how to establish supportive online networks, reduce feelings of isolation, and engage with peers for shared motivation and collaborative learning.
Syllabus
Week 1
Cultivating a Growth Mindset for Distance Learning
Introduction to Week One
In this section, you will be introduced to the key concepts of your first lesson. Get ready with a pad and pen or your digital devices to make notes.
Understanding the Growth Mindset
In this section, you will understand the difference between fixed and growth mindsets, and how important it is to approach your studies with a growth mindset.
Applying the Growth Mindset to Distance Learning
In this section, students will learn how to apply the growth mindset to the distance learning environment.
Goal Setting
In this section you will learn the importance of goal setting, and how to create 'SMART' goals.
Your Reflective Journal
In this section you will learn about the importance self-reflection, the usefulness of maintaining a Reflective Journal, and about ways of doing this. You will make the first entry into your Reflective Journal
Summary of Week One
We summarise the first week and give you a preview of Week 2.
Week 2
Effective Time Management and Study Habits
Introduction to Week Two
We introduce you to the second week of the course.
Understanding the Importance of Time Management
This section explores why time management is important and encourages you to think about how successfully you manage your own time.
The Importance of Time Management
In this section, we will be looking at the science of time management and the Pomodoro Technique.
Strategies for Time Management
A quick breakdown of various time management strategies, such as the Pomodoro Technique, the Eisenhower Matrix and time-blocking.
Creating Schedules
In this section, we'll be looking at developing your own weekly schedule.
Building Good Study Habits
This section encourages you to build in good study habits with your routine.
Test Your Knowledge
Take the quiz to test your knowledge on time management so far.
Summary of Week Two
Reflect on what you have learnt this week, including the responses you gave in the Activities.
Week 3
Motivation, Discipline, and the Power of Consistency
Introduction to Week Three
We introduce you to the third week of the course.
Motivation
In this section, you will learn about Motivation.
Maintaining Motivation
In this section, you will learn about ways to maintain or re-ignite your motivation.
Procrastination
In this section, you will learn about procrastination and how to overcome it.
Discipline
In the final part of this lesson, you will learn about discipline and self-discipline, and why this is so important for you to thrive as a distance learner.
Test Your Understanding
What have you learnt in this lesson?
Summary of Week Three
In this section, we summarise the third week of the course.
Week 4
Managing Stress, Isolation, and Building Connection
Introduction to Week Four
We introduce the fourth and final week of the course.
Understanding Stress
In this section, you will learn all about stress – what it is, how it impacts us, and how to identify internal and external triggers.
Coping With Stress
In this section, we will look at understanding what is in our control and what is not.
Combating Isolation
Here, we will discuss the benefits of active engagement with peers and community.
Five Minutes Peace
Our lives can be busy – especially when we add studying to the mix. In this section, we will explore some simple but helpful wellbeing activities you can use in the future.
Summary of Week Four
Finally, we summarise the final week of the course.
When would you like to start?
Start straight away and join a global classroom of learners. If the course hasn’t started yet you’ll see the future date listed below.
Available now
Learning on this course
On every step of the course you can meet other learners, share your ideas and join in with active discussions in the comments.
What will you achieve?
By the end of the course, you‘ll be able to...
- Identify the power of mindset in achieving success and learn how to cultivate a growth mindset tailored to distance learning.
- Develop personalized time management strategies and techniques that fit with their unique learning style and lifestyle.
- Solve how to stay motivated, avoid procrastination, and set achievable, long-term learning goals.
- Identify and overcome common distractions, and set up an optimal workspace for online learning.
- Explore coping strategies for dealing with stress, burnout, and the isolation that can sometimes come with distance learning.
- Create a sense of community and collaboration with fellow learners, even in an online environment.
Who is the course for?
This course is ideal for distance learners, online students, or anyone studying remotely who wants to develop the skills and mindset to succeed, and feel good about their learning journey along the way.
Who will you learn with?
I have many years experience supporting Part-Time and Distance Learning students to gain qualifications at Levels 3,4,5,6 & 7. I have also taught English for academic purposes, business & aviation.
I have worked in education settings for over twenty-five years. I am currently a Foundation Degree Lecturer at Arden University.
I'm an academic of literary history and writing, with Research Excellence for my PhD. Having worked in Higher Education since 2015, I have a passion for accessible, engaging teaching and learning.
Who developed the course?
Arden University
Arden University has a proud heritage in providing flexible and accessible higher education. We’ve grown and evolved from our beginnings in 1990 as the chosen online learning partner for universities across Britain, to offer a new kind of learning experience, providing both online and blended learning degree courses that meet the changing needs of modern life.
What's included?
Arden University are offering everyone who joins this course a free digital upgrade, so that you can experience the full benefits of studying online for free. This means that you get:
Learning on FutureLearn
Your learning, your rules
- Courses are split into weeks, activities, and steps to help you keep track of your learning
- Learn through a mix of bite-sized videos, long- and short-form articles, audio, and practical activities
- Stay motivated by using the Progress page to keep track of your step completion and assessment scores
Join a global classroom
- Experience the power of social learning, and get inspired by an international network of learners
- Share ideas with your peers and course educators on every step of the course
- Join the conversation by reading, @ing, liking, bookmarking, and replying to comments from others
Map your progress
- As you work through the course, use notifications and the Progress page to guide your learning
- Whenever you’re ready, mark each step as complete, you’re in control
- Complete 90% of course steps and all of the assessments to earn your certificate
Want to know more about learning on FutureLearn? Using FutureLearn
Do you know someone who'd love this course? Tell them about it...
More courses you might like
Learners who joined this course have also enjoyed these courses.
Browse more in Study Skills and Teaching
