Focus on the individual: You and your instructors, who are your personal tutors and guides, will explore the knowledge of the course, as you require.

Your own learning pace: You may wish to take more time to master a particular unit or less time, depending on your prior knowledge and ability in the area of study. You and your instructor should decide when you are ready to take tests.

No classrooms: Lecture materials may be presented on audio/videotapes, CD-ROm or DVD-ROM. You can interrupt it or listen to it again. Thus, you are able to control the presentation of the lecture. When you enroll for an Open Learning course you are assigned a specific time to meet with your instructor. You meet one-on-one with your instructor to ask questions, review material and go over your tests. Open Learning is a popular format and it may be that many other students will also want to speak with the same instructor. Most instructors will prefer that you sign in on their conference sheet to indicate your wish to discuss something.

Few deadlines: As normal, busy adults, we tend to put off those things for which there are not pressing deadlines. Although open learning courses have a 16-week time limit, there often are no specific deadlines within each course. Because of this, some students put off the work. If you do not pace yourself properly, you will not have enough time left to complete the course.

Independence and self-discipline: In a face-to-face classroom, the teacher gives assignments and deadlines. In an open learning course, you work with your instructor to determine what you will do and when. Pace yourself so that you complete all requirements within the enrollment period. Your instructor, advisor or student services counselor may help you in this task.

Flexible schedules: You will be scheduled for 1 hour per week of instruction for each credit hour. You can schedule those hours with your instructor at a time that is convenient to you provided there are course openings at the times you wish to attend. So if you miss a Tuesday session with your instructor, maybe he or she will be Open Learning teaching again on Thursday. If you work the evening shift then maybe you can schedule your classes during the day. If your work schedule changes, you can usually change your class schedule.

Open-entry: You can start a course during almost any week of the year. You don't need to wait until a term begins in order to start a course. Once you start, you may finish as rapidly as you wish, within the limits of your personal 16-week Open Learning term. Thus, you need not wait for the end of a semester to finish.