Professionals and students alike will likely find it beneficial to focus on areas that help to establish self-esteem and confidence. Life skills can study a broad set of talents to help individuals master skills that can benefit their everyday life, including communication and time management.

A course is the study of a particular topic within a wider subject area and is the foundation of a qualification. A typical course includes lectures, assessments and tutorials.

Part-time learning allows one to obtain a degree or qualification even if one cannot attend school on a full-time basis. One can learn at one's own pace, gradually accumulating credits that count towards a final qualification.