By AAT Comment StudentsAAT Silent Study Session gets the green light from students 5 Jun 2025 AAT’s first ever Silent Study Session proved to be a huge success for attending students, with many reporting that the time reduced feelings of isolation and helped them feel more connected to the AAT community. The concept is simple – students register for the Silent Study Session, use the one-hour video call to focus on their studies, before celebrating their small “win” at the end for staying focused. Visitors to the call will be provided with some useful links and they can interact with each other in the chat box providing help and support. These virtual meets have been created to help students stay motivated and feel connected while working remotely, according to Neil Maguire, Customer and Partner Lifecycle Team Leader at AAT. He said: “We understand that one of the biggest hurdles that students face when progressing through their studies is balancing their commitments and maintaining motivation. “To help address this, we introduced our Silent Study sessions – dedicated, focused time slots where students can study alongside their peers in a supportive environment. “By scheduling these sessions into their diaries, we give students the time they need to concentrate without distractions. At the same time, studying together helps to create a sense of community and shared purpose, so students don’t feel alone on their journey.” Positive feedback from students Students who took part in the session were asked to provide feedback on the experience, with 90% of attendees reporting that it reduced feelings of isolation, and 100% saying they found the time extremely helpful and would attend again. When asked what the most valuable aspect of the session was, respondents said: Dedicated study time – 46% Motivation boost – 10% Reduced distractions – 4% Support from other AAT students – 6% All of the above – 34% Angela, who is studying level 4 accounting, said: “I hope these sessions continue as there were many positives and it was great to collaborate, especially for self-studiers like me.” Marta, who is also studying level 4 accounting, said: “It’s been good to have an hour dedicated to study and join along with others. It didn’t make me feel so alone.” What AAT has learnt so far These sessions resonate well with those that don’t have a natural classroom community or tutor-led teaching. AAT can experiment a bit more on the length of these sessions and what time of day they are hosted. It’s a great way for students to hold themselves accountable and to use their time effectively. What happens next? Neil Maguire added: “The overwhelmingly positive feedback and increased sense of connection we’ve seen so far confirms that providing structured, communal study opportunities can make a real difference. “Our goal is to continue refining these sessions – experimenting with timing and length to best support our students in achieving their goals. “We’re excited about the potential for these events to boost motivation, accountability, and community spirit among all those striving to succeed with AAT.” Join in a Silent Study Session with AATThis pilot is running until 11th June at 12pm and 8pm on Tuesdays and Wednesdays. Sign up for the final two sessions in the pilot. We’ve set the times (UK), now it’s your turn to commit, register for one or more sessions below. Date: Wednesday 11 June Times: 12.00–13.00 – register 20.00–21.00 – register Further readingHow to feel part of the community when studying remotely Top tips for practising self-kindness while you study Staying up late to study? 7 tips to help you switch off and get a good night’s sleep AAT Comment offers news and opinion on the world of business and finance from the Association of Accounting Technicians.