Keir Walls – Diploma in Residential Estate Agency

What is your background?

'I am a Residential Sales Manager.'

How did you manage to find the time to study?

'I became very disciplined – as soon as I got home in the evening I started to study. I made sure that I didn’t put it off, and found it helpful to break the study material down into small sections.'

Can you offer our students any tips on studying?

'I made my own mind maps, and found them very useful to help see an entire topic in one go.'

How has passing the Diploma helped your career?

'It has greatly increased my self respect in the profession and provided a real sense of personal achievement and confidence.'

Was there a particular part of the qualification you found challenging?

'The project; deciding exactly what I wanted to achieve from it. In hindsight, I should have spent more time preparing to write it and included more relevant material.'

If you could do one thing differently, what would it be?

'Starting the preparation for the project sooner, and using more of the expertise of the tutors. I would also have aimed to sit two exams at a time as opposed to one.'

How did you find the project part of your Diploma?

'The research I did highlighted information about my competitors that has given my company a real edge. I’m now using these findings in my day to day role and the advantage this has given me has been commented on by customers.'