Living with a SATS student

Study will always mean changes to your household routines

Your SATS student will need a quiet space for study; perhaps a desk in their bedroom or the dining room table if you don't have a room to set apart for study. And they will need to be undisturbed so that they can concentrate.

Computer time:

All of our students, even those not on e-learning, need computer time. They need to undertake research on the internet and they need the computer for writing assignments and communicating with SATS. If there is only one PC in the home, you may need to negotiate times for computer use.

 

Course materials:

Students need a safe place to store all of their course materials. They will have study guides, course notes, set work books, reference books, dictionaries, note pads and administrative paperwork. They will need a bookshelf, cabinet or even some boxes to keep it all safe and at hand.

Schedules:

Finding enough time to study may be difficult, especially for part-time students, but advance planning and sticking to a schedule makes it possible. It might take a while to work out the best balance between study, work, and leisure, but once a schedule has been arrived at, your student needs to stick to it – and you need to help him to do so.

Assignments

Assignments are often demanding and stressful for students. They have to be submitted according to the assignment timetable. A student will be granted an extension for an assignment or an exam in exceptional circumstances only, therefore adhering to the course timetable is critical. Assignment scores are usually a substantial part of the final course grade so doing well is important. Finding enough time to study is difficult for many students, but planning ahead and following a schedule makes it possible. It may take a while to get the right balance between work, family time and study. There will be peaks and troughs in study time – some weeks will be busier than others.

Exams:

They will need more study time before the exam and this needs to be agreed to in advance.
Give your student support if they feel nervous or insecure and bear with him if he seems impatient or distracted and distant. They may not want to discuss the exam, and that's all right but let him talk his heart out if he needs to.
Celebrate or give them support when they get the results.

 

Consequences:

Bear in mind that study and learning are about growth. As they succeed and move forward with their studies they will grow in confidence.
They will probably want to share their new knowledge with their friends and family. They might gain new perspectives on Scripture and find that their cherished ideas and beliefs are being challenged.

Your student had a purpose for study. Perhaps they felt called to the ministry, wanted to pursue an academic career or simply wished to grow in God. As they progress with their studies this might all change. It can be very stressful, especially to spouses, when their partner suddenly realises that their “self-development course” has opened their eyes to a calling to the ministry. Or they want to give up their sales job and become a lecturer at a seminary.