The fastest way to get a bachelor degree is to swap socials for online study

If you wish you had a better job, this is the trick to get qualified in not much time at all.

MORE Australians can become degree-qualified if they swap time spent scrolling social media for study.

Productivity expert and author Donna McGeorge says people spend about two hours and 15 minutes on social media each day – totalling about six years over a lifetime.

“Given the average degree is about three years, you could argue that halving your time on socials would still give you time to study,’’ she says.

“Wasting time is relative.

“(But) if there is something else you ‘should’ or ‘could’ be doing that moves you forward in your career or life goals, then (scrolling social media) would be a waste.’’

UniSA Online, which has launched more than 250 online courses that can each be completed in 10 weeks, says just 10-15 hours a week is needed to study online, meaning many people could be degree-qualified in the time they spend on social media.

Study, then post – don’t post, then study.

McGeorge says much of what people read across various online platforms is repetitive and advises that staying with just one platform could cut screen time down to 20 minutes, freeing up more time for other pursuits.

Given that most phones record screen time, she says users should audit the time they spend on their device and what they use it for.

“It actually comes down to what is important to you,’’ McGeorge says.

“If your career or future is important, you have a real opportunity to invest in it now.

“It’s OK that (study or upskilling) may not be a priority – no judgment.

“Just consciously make that decision rather than scrolling socials and wishing that you had a better job or career or life.’’

Katie Harris studies her online communications degree while son Mason, 6, keeps her company.

UniSA Online academic director Associate Professor Barbara Parker says prospective students often worry they will not have enough time to commit to study but the new offerings allow people to make productive use of their down time.

“We’re all guilty of quickly checking our social media accounts, only to realise we’ve spent the last two hours mindlessly scrolling,’’ she says.

“The flexibility of studying with UniSA Online makes it possible for people to make the most of their down time to earn a degree.

“Some of our students study after dinner once the kids are in bed, on the commute to work or on the weekend.

“As students settle into their studies and find a routine that works for them, we find that their concerns about time quickly vanish.’’

Katie Harris is partway through an online communications degree and says the flexible nature of her study allows her to still work full time and tend to her young family.

“As long as you set yourself up well from the beginning of term and continue to motivate yourself, you can successfully manage your workload,’’ says Harris, who expects to graduate mid-next year.