.::.Easy Mind Reading.::.

If you've aspirations to be a professional web designer with the right credentials for today's employment market, you'll need to study Adobe Dreamweaver.

For professional applications you will require an in-depth and thorough understanding of the entire Adobe Web Creative Suite. This includes (but is by no means restricted to) Flash and Action Script. If your goal is to become an Adobe Certified Professional or an Adobe Certified Expert you'll find these skills are vital.

To become a well-rounded web professional however, you'll have to get more diverse knowledge. You'll need to bolt on programming skills like HTML, PHP and database engines like MySQL. A working knowledge of E-Commerce and Search Engine Optimisation (SEO) will also improve your CV and employability.

The age-old way of teaching, utilising reference manuals and books, is an up-hill struggle for the majority of us. If you're nodding as you read this, dig around for more practical courses which have a majority of interactive, multimedia parts.

Where possible, if we can get all of our senses involved in our learning, then we often see hugely increased memory retention as a result.

Find a course where you'll get a host of CD and DVD based materials - you'll start with videos of instructor demonstrations, followed by the chance to fine-tune your skills in fully interactive practice sessions.

Any company that you're considering must be pushed to demo a few examples of their courseware. Expect video tutorials, instructor led classes and a wide selection of interactive elements.

Opt for CD or DVD ROM based materials where possible. You're then protected from internet connection failure and issues with signal quality.

A typical blunder that many potential students make is to choose a career based on a course, rather than starting with where they want to get to. Universities are brimming over with students who took a course because it seemed fun - rather than what would get them their end-goal of a job they enjoyed.

Avoid becoming part of the group who set off on a track that seems 'fun' or 'interesting' - only to end up with a qualification for an unrewarding career path.

Stay focused on where you want to get to, and build your study action-plan from that - don't do it back-to-front. Stay focused on the end-goal and study for a career you'll enjoy for years to come.

Your likely to need help from someone that can best explain the sector you're hoping to qualify in, and who can offer 'A typical day in the life of' synopsis for each job considered. These things are of paramount importance as you'll need to know if you're going down the right road.

If your advisor doesn't question you thoroughly - it's likely they're just a salesperson. If they wade straight in with a specific product before learning about your history and experience, then you know it's true.

With a little live experience or qualifications, you could discover that your appropriate starting-point is now at a different level to a new student.

It's wise to consider a user-skills course first. It will usually make your learning curve a much easier going.

Authorised simulation materials and exam preparation packages are vital - and really must be offered by your training provider.

Students regularly can get confused by trying to prepare themselves with questions that aren't recognised by the authorised examining boards. Often, the phraseology can be completely unlike un-authorised versions and you need to be ready for this.

Be sure to request some practice exams so you'll be able to check your understanding at any point. Practice or 'mock' exams help to build your confidence - then you won't be quite so nervous at the actual exam.