Our top tips for completing mortgage adviser training online

Thinking of starting a Certificate in Mortgage Advice & Practice (CeMAP) training course online? Remote learning is a popular choice these days, particularly among people who are already working or studying – or those who juggle childcare and family commitments.

It’s a flexible, convenient option, allowing you to fit your studies around your schedule. There’s no need to waste time on a commute to the classroom, and you still get the same qualifications to help advance your career.

But successfully completing mortgage training online requires a little preparation, especially if you’re new to remote learning.

Read on for our top tips for staying focused, getting the best from your study experience and achieving your CeMAP qualification at the end of it.

Tip #1: Choose the right course provider

Before you do anything else, it’s critical to choose the right training provider. There are lots of e-learning companies and websites out there offering CeMAP training, but they’re not all the same.

You need to make sure the provider is:

• Properly accredited to deliver the course and CeMAP qualification
• Providing up-to-date study materials and information
• Delivering training of the required quality, with modules that follow a logical order and ensure that all required course content is covered.

Another really important thing to look for is support. While self-directed study may suit your learning style, everyone needs a little extra support every now and again. The option to check into a guided webinar revision session or tutorial online can be really helpful, especially as you prepare for exams. And if you have a question or query, you need to know that a knowledgeable person is on hand to help.

The best online CeMAP training courses also give you flexibility to study at your own pace, as everyone is different when it comes to learning styles.

A final important point – check that the provider has course materials that are compatible with your devices, as well as being easy to follow and understand.

Tip #2: Prepare your study environment

Before you start your course, you need to create a comfortable, distraction-free space to study.

As you’re learning remotely, it’s likely this will be in your home. This is great for comfort, but can be more challenging when it comes to avoiding distractions. You may have children or pets demanding your attention, along with housework, knocks at the door and other interruptions.

Despite all of this, you should aim to carve out somewhere suitable to study.

How to create a study space at home

Here are the essentials you’ll need to create an at-home study space:

• A desk large enough for your laptop and study materials.
• A comfortable chair with good back support, which ideally is ergonomically set up in relation to your desk and computer.
• A desk light or sufficient lighting within the room.
• A laptop or computer, plus headphone or speakers – and at least one plug socket nearby for charging your device.
• A stable internet connection.

If possible, you should inform other members of the household that this is your study space, and perhaps have a sign on the door when you’re actively studying.

It’s best to avoid studying in living and sleeping areas if you can, as these are spaces that you ‘switch off’ from work and study.

Lastly, think about how you can remove other distractions from your study space. For example, you can leave your phone in another room and temporarily block access to social media on your web browser.

Tip #3: Create a study schedule

Time management, organisation and discipline are essential if you want to successfully complete your mortgage adviser training wholly online. If you’re doing your mortgage adviser course entirely through e-learning, it can sometimes be difficult to stay on track. It’s easier if you have live webinars to attend, as these will be held at specific times.

But whichever way you’re completing your course, it’s still a good idea to create a study schedule. This gives some structure to your week and helps you stay motivated to achieve your goals. Just remember to be realistic, as scheduling huge chunks of study time in one go can leave you without any time for a break. It’s also hard to stick to, which can leave you feeling demotivated.

Tip #4: Treat online lessons in the same way as in-person classes

If you’re signed up to live webinars or other sessions, it’s sensible to approach them in the same way as a real-world classroom lesson. This means being organised, joining the session on time and being ready to learn.

Get dressed properly (as tempting as it may be to stay in your pyjamas) and head to your desk rather than your bedroom or living room to start the session. It’s also important to give the session your full attention, so avoid doing anything else at the same time.

Basically, if you wouldn’t do it in a classroom, don’t do it in an online learning session.

Tip #5: Contribute

You may be completing your mortgage adviser training remotely, but there will still be opportunities to engage with your tutors and perhaps your fellow students too. Take advantage of these opportunities, as learning is a two-way process.

You’ll get more from the experience if you’re able to join in the conversation. This could be attending webinars and joining in discussions, working through feedback from your course leader, or engaging in conversation with other learners via online forums or even social media.

You can do all of this remotely, so you don’t need to study completely alone. Being part of a learning community is likely to enrich and deepen your experience, which should hopefully lead to a better outcome. It can also give you much-needed support, whether it’s understanding a particular module or dealing with exam stress.

And you won’t just have your CeMAP qualification at the end of it all – you’ll also be a well-rounded professional with a deeper understanding of your subject.