Upon arrival, we noticed right away that there were many "new" additions to small resting place. Being entreprenuer I am, I quickly said, "Man, now here's a job that offers job security!" Think about, it's one thing in life that EVERYBODY is going to do!

Quickly changing subject, my fiance' stated that her job offers job security also, because she processes dental claims. "As long as everybody has teeth, I'll have a job", she said, and that was pretty much end of that....

Until today! As I was sitting at my computer, doing some work, I got to thinking about our little conversation, when it hit me. There is NO such thing as job security!

I know, I know, what about doctors, lawyers, dentists etc, we will always need their services. Well, that's partially true. Although I am not a psychic, I would say that it's pretty safe to assume that we will probably need them also, but let's look at big picture...

Is it possible to study successfully on one's own? Certainly. Being taught something by someone else is usually easiest way of learning but if, for whatever reason, that is not possible or just difficult, self tuition is a means to same end that can be made to work for you.

There are four principles which one needs to remember to be successful: STRATEGY, MOTIVATION, APPLICATION and PERSISTENCE. These, in fact, are not too different from requirements for success in any form of study. But their essentialities are all tightened up in achieving goals in self study.

SRATEGY A carefully devised strategy before considering anything else will pay great dividends later. So undertake it carefully at start.

One needs to be clear about ultimate objective. Ask yourself : where I want to finish up? What are essential stages in getting? How do I keep my options open in case I need to make a change of direction or objective later on?

Most strategies in education and training will involve sitting and passing examinations. Make sure at outset what exact requirements are. Approach organising body and get all information you can. The same advice really applies also to examinations run by any official body which will validate your qualifications.

Setting Your Pace This is where self-tuition student can score an advantage. You are not constrained by set progress of tuition classes. You can go faster or slower according to your own preferences and date examining body sets for its exams. But be honest with yourself in setting these time objectives.

Exam Strategy An examination system sets (usually) rigid frameworks within which you must operate. Try to make them work for you. For example, exams often have elements of predictability. The subject areas are fixed and syllabus is known in advance. The areas for exam questions can often be predicted from a study of past papers. Get hold of as many as you can and spend time studying them - just as important as studying your subject!