Author: Thandiwe Mokoena

Two young South African adults sitting on sunlit concrete steps outside, sharing an open laptop as one types, shot from

How a Short Course Helped Our Students Find Work

Many people ask us whether an online course is really worth the time. In our experience it is, when the lecturer is local and the lessons are practical. Start small. Pick one...

Overhead flat-lay of South African hands writing study questions in a notebook beside a coffee mug and rusks on a wooden

Questions to Ask Your Lecturer Before You Enrol

Before you pay for any course, ask the lecturer a few honest questions. Who is this course for? What will I be able to do when I finish? How much time does...

A young South African man studying online course material on a laptop while packaging small handmade products for his si

Starting a Side Business While You Study

Many of our students start a small business while they study. It can be baking, tutoring, photography or selling clothes online. You do not need a big budget. You need a clear...

A South African student studying on a laptop by candle and rechargeable lamp light during load shedding at a home desk i

Tips for Finishing an Online Course with Load Shedding

Load shedding can interrupt even the best study plans, but you can work around it. Check your area’s schedule at the start of each week and plan your lessons for the hours...

A South African man learning to build a website, coding on a laptop with a colourful web layout on a second monitor

Matric Final Exams: A Study Plan That Works

Most matric learners know what they must study. The hard part is finding a plan and sticking to it. Start by listing every subject and the date of each paper, then work...

A South African student in her twenties at a campus admin counter discussing short-course funding options with a staff a

What NSFAS Students Should Know About Short Courses

Learning online works best when you know a few simple things before you start. At Boekrak Learning we hear the same questions from new students every month, so here are the answers....

A South African woman lecturer at her desk redesigning her course on a laptop with handwritten lesson plans spread aroun

How One Stellenbosch Lecturer Rebuilt Her Course

When Boekrak Learning began, many of our lecturers had only taught in a classroom. Moving online meant learning new habits, and the students told us quickly what worked. Short videos helped. So...

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Free Online Courses from South African Universities

Many South African universities now put short courses online for free. You can learn the basics of a subject without paying fees or leaving home. We have gathered what we know to...

Close-up of an online lecturer's Stellenbosch desk: smartphone propped on a stand, headphones, handwritten study notes,

How to Study Faster and Remember More

Most students try to learn by reading their notes again and again. It feels useful, but little of it stays. Our Student Support Manager, Nadia Pillay, sees this every exam season at...

A South African woman practising a job interview conversation with a coach across a table in a bright Stellenbosch offic

How to Improve Your English for Job Interviews

Job interviews in English can feel tense, even when you know the work well. Lindiwe Dlamini, our English Language Lecturer, suggests practising out loud for ten minutes every day. Start with the...